Real Tonga Airlines

Hi,

I am going to Tonga this September and have plans to go to Vava'u. I read that Real Tonga is not so reliable with their schedules but since I am travelling in the high season, I am thinking of booking my flights now to/from Vava'u since most accommodation seems to be booked up already (I have a room tentatively booked in Vava'u). I worry that if I wait until the last minute, there won't be a seat on the small plane and there appears to be groups of people flocking to Vava'u for swimming with the whales. I would appreciate someone's advice who has travelled in the high season; how far in advance to flights sell out?

We flew on Real Tonga last week and although they changed the departure times several times since we booked last October the flights went OK.
Even though it was low season the plane was full both ways.
It may pay to get your accommodation to book the flights for you rather than do it online as we did.
We had put off flying on Real Tonga as our Airline and Government did not recommend flying with them but in the end went anyway.

Hi smandkjc, thank you for replying. I think I will just book early and hope all works out in the end. I don't think the accommodation books flights; it is not a package deal and more on the budget end.

I flew Real Tonga in November. The flight went on schedule, but this was just the short hop from Eua to Tongatapu. The morning of the flight we were told it was just the 3 of us. We took off 2 hours later with 8! Book in advance!

thanks shefgab, flights are booked! i'm going to Eua too. i know there are no restaurants/shops on Eua but looks like there is a small market? can a few snacks or veggies be bought here? is there a reliable ATM in Eua?

thanks shefgab, flights are booked! i'm going to Eua too. i know there are no restaurants/shops on Eua but looks like there is a small market? can a few snacks or veggies be bought here? is there a reliable ATM in Eua?

IIRC there was a small market, but there was very little there. I brought snacks and stuff over from the mainland on the boat, plus whatever drinks I wanted (like Coke). I stayed at the the Hideaway where I had breakfast and dinner. They sold beer and snacks as well. Dinner was good. There's a dive centre as well near the harbour that had a pizza night. Also in the villages along the main road there were small shops selling snacks and fruit...enough for a picnic lunch, but hardly fine dining!
ATM? I don't recall seeing one, but I wasn't looking for one either. Take cash from the mainland. If you want internet access, buy a SIM in Tongatapu for it. The Hideaway advertised wifi, but it didn't work in 4 days.

The walk to the Li 'Anga Huo 'A Maui Natural Archway in the far south is quite nice. A lot of the trails (and walks mentioned in the LP) are completely inaccessible. Very overgrown.

Hi shefgab,

Thanks again for the info:) yah i was planning on stocking up on the mainland anyways and wasn't going to rely on Eua for 'amenities'. Good to know about the SIM too was going to buy one when I land. I am also booked in at the Hideaway and probably hire for hiking excursions.

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