minimun days to experience a bit of Tonga

Hi !!

We are an Spanish couple going to New Zealand next October, and we want to save few days to go to one Pacific Country, and Tonga seems to match what we are looking for : South Pacific "postcard" landscapes, culture, and places not so touristed, but .. how many days do we need to make the trip worthwhile? We can save 4, 5 days... six maximum, maybe six are too many, because we don´t want to lose too many New Zealand days; it is the main trip, let´s say.

Yes, yes, I am reading in advance ... "go to New Zealand to fully explore it and come to Tonga next time", but coming from Spain, 12.000 miles far away, let me try to take the most of our expensive flight ticket Madrid - Auckland - Madrid ..

So, let´s say, five days in Tonga : Tongatapu 2 days, Vava'u 3 days? is it enough for a quick trip? Maybe .. can we add a day trip to Eua from Tongatapu? What about happai instead of any other?

also, Is it "safe" to book a Vava'u - Tongatapu flight for the same day of the Tongatapu - Auckland flight? (are cancellations or big delays something usual?)

Any ideas will be welcome (even if you say, instead of Tonga, try "this" other Pacific country, easier to "cover" in 4-5 days..)

Thanks to all and greetings from Spain

Fiji, Samoa or New Caledonia (my favourite of these!) would certainly be easier to do meaningfully in such limited time as the hilly, big "main" islands you land on in all three are probably quite a bit more scenic than flat Tongatapu, and you can reach neighbouring islands more easily/reliably saving the worries about missing your flight out - you could even go to other islands just for a day-trip by sea in those three countries.

If you stick with Tonga, try and get to Vava'u right after arrival, and plan to do your Tongatapu sightseeing on your last 2-3 days. That way you'd be safer with the flight out of Tonga.
Other posters here should be able to give you more specific advice on that country.

I agree with Laszlo---if you go to Tonga, head right to Vavau, and then a couple of days back on Tongatapu at the end.

You might be able to hit Tonga or Samoa on the way to or from NZ, if you go via LAX.

Tonga is awesome, but 6 days is probably the minimum you will need, by the time you have added travel time. Internal flights have improved since Chathams Pacific started, (they are now the only carrier) but it is still worth getting back to Tongatapu a couple of days before you fly just in case flights are cancelled or delayed. Do not return to Tongatapu on the day you are due to fly out! The planes are small and delays are easily caused by weather- as well as by 'Tonga time' striking, as it often does. Because Tonga is less touristed, it has far less of an infrastructure for tourists than Fiji/ New Caladonia/ Rarotonga. I'd agree with Laszlo- get out to an island first, then return to tour Tongatapu at the end of your trip.

'Eua AND Tongatapu AND Ha'apai/ Vava'u is too much; I'd suggest just going to one chain other than Tongatapu. I love Vava'u, personally. There are some lovely beaches around the Vava'u chain, but not on the main island itself. Utangake is accessable by road from Vava'u and has some pleasant spots, and very welcoming villages, as you would like to experience local culture. Get out on a boat trip to experience the beautiful outer islands and the caves, or maybe see whales. The food is definately something to be experienced, where ever you stay!

thanks to all !!

I think you are right about looking for another place to go, and I think we will look for Fiji, it seems to be cheaper than for example, New Caledonia (the flight from NZ and also staying there). We will read about our possibilities for 4-5 days, and probably I will ask more things later..

thanks !!

2 days Tongatapu, 1 at the start and 1 at the finish, 2 days Ha'apai, and 2 days Va'vau.

depends what you want to do really. I wasn't a tourist, so I whiled away my few free hours on the golf course or at one of the clubs.

I enjoyed a day on Fafa. very relaxing (and expensive).