Tonga 2019 - 2 or 3 Islands? Help/Advice Needed

Heya,

I missed out on Tonga 2018 (apparently planning in April/May is to late). I'm back! I'm pretty sure this will be a long post so please bear me.

Players involved:
Me (will be 34) + Mother (will be 62). Other possible people: Brother(s) and/or Father (unlikely).

Time Frame – Aiming for 2 weeks +/-

Primarily Objectives: Whale Swimming (obviously!). Also – I've taken a recent FUTURE interest in Kitesurfing… I have NOT taken any lessons yet. I plan on purchasing a trainer kite and practicing on it… and when the weather is warmer I may take a lesson or two (hopefully). Eitherway I doubt I would be comfortable trying it on my OWN in Tonga – prefer having someone around in case something goes wrong… but I do not want to be next to the pros and interrupting their fun (and being in rougher situations than what I anticipate might be out of my level of experience/comfort). Anyway…

Secondary Objectives: Swimming/Snorkeling when I'm NOT whale watching/swimming (or possibly kite surfing – assuming I'll pick this up). Perhaps - diving (but less likely since it's a morning activity that will probably take time while we're whale swimming).

Plan: Either longer stay (1 week?) in 2 locations Ha'apai and Vava'u/Tongatapu or shorter stay (5 days?) in 3 locations Ha'apai, Vava'u and Tongatapu

For Ha'apai – I finally heard back – there is ONLY one availability and that's Sandy Beaches from September 17-23 (6 nights) – it's a little later than I planned and I HOPE we can still see some calves in action. However, I really like that resort. So I think I will work around those dates and perhaps schedule either Vava'u/Tongatapu or both locations before. They did lose their kitesurfing instructors (hopefully they will be back next year).

Anyway – right now I'm trying to figure out if I should do a 2 island or a 3 island combo. I don't want to do too much of the same thing but I would love to fully embrace the whale swimming component. What I mean with that is – during our African Safari in Tanzania – I overdid it with the safari and my mother/brother got a bit bored <_< (not me though).

So any advice on 2 vs 3 islands is appreciated. I want to spend as much time inland as possible instead of travelling/in transit (so we'll have to take the inter-island airplane since the ferry probably will take to long). I guess this even may be limited with the availability of rooms. For Tongatapu I really like Fafa Island – the snorkeling seems amazing!! However, as per priorities it's mostly whale watching/swimming > then others (and maybe kitesurfing friendly/instructional). Any advice on accommodations for both Tongatapu and Vava'u? Not saying I want to be in a location that is JUST for whale swimming and has nothing else/poor accommodations. Ideally would love to swim with whales in the AM/PM and in the afternoon maybe snorkel/swim/paddle/walk the beach.

Thanks!

Hi!
I wouldnt try to do all three Islands on such a tight schedule. Transport (flights+ferries) are NOT to trust. Do Tongatapu if you are flying through there and Vava'u - since its the most beautiful and best for whale swimming.

Try to spend most time in Vava'u. Not much to do in Tongatapu but you'd want to book you flights so you have time for cancellations from Real Tonga, if the clouds are too low and weather is crappy or someone has been drinking to much kava (haha!) then it might be moved/ cancelled.

There are beautiful islands around here to visit as good snorkeling. Go on a day sail or overnight chartered sails or book an adventure trip with ex. Explore Vava'u out to Kenutu and the Sandcay(east), or the caves (swallows+mariners)and coral garden (southwest)

Island accommodations are the nicest, for kitesurfing try to visit Mouno Island and talk to Kirsty who is a great kite surfer and instructor.

Accommodations are not to easy or cheap during the on season, depending on what your budget is I'd recommend trying the islands resorts (more expensive) island hostels like Makafeke at Matamaka, Ofu Backpackers, Mafana (cheap & beautiful spots but maybe uncomfy) or and AirBnB in town.
You can also stay two night here and there and you'll get most of the islands and won't get bored.

In Tongatapu make sure you visit Hungafangalupe!

Might see you around next year then! :)

Actually I decided on Ha'apai - Sandy Beaches 6 days and Tongatapu - Fafa Island for 6 days. I plan on doing 3 days of whale swimming at Sandy Beaches and 2 days at Fafa Island (is this okay?). I hear Fafa Island has amazing snorkeling. I heard that while Vava'u is good, it's also 30 boats per whale - since it's so popular... Someone told me that according to people Ha'apai has the best whale watching... so fingers crossed. I'm going the last two weeks of September - I hope there are calves around.

That being said I plan on spending the last two days in the capital - any recommendations on accommodations/activities - cultural and/or exploration/shopping :) SHOPPPING!

bazal, not sure if you're still around, but what did you mean by saying that planning in April/May is too late? I only now have time to plan my summer holiday (I have about a month, mid-July to mid-August) and was considering Tonga. Was it accommodation you were struggling to find?

Yes it's virtually impossible to find accommodation. Had to book in November for September because there was only ONE room available and only in September....

Hmm, I’m still seeing accommodation on booking.com for my potential dates in July (mostly Nuku’alofa but a couple for other islands). I’ll have to look into it a bit more.

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