tonga flights etc...

hey there, I'm traveling through new zealand and just bought a cheap flight (aug 3) to tonga for 7 days from auckland...looks like vavau is where I'd like to stay. wondering about domestic flights to vavau ...who flies there ? can I buy tickets on line? should I wait til I'm there?...also it seems like "luck'ys" is a nice place to stay but I'm a single guy mid 30's who dives and would like to meet a few other travelers. any suggestions would be great. thanks

Hi, there is only one internal company operating at the moment, they are Chathams. They have old aircrafts, but really reliable. Take care with weight, book ahead since there will be lots of festivals and activities related to fishing!

I found it easier to email them: sales1@chathamspacific.com

http://www.chathamspacific.com/

If you are curious they fly an old Convair and some Metros.

Good luck!

Hi!

I booked with Chathams online and had no worries. Definately easy to deal with, and a fairly reliable airline.

I loved Luckys, I've stayed there twice. It is on a fairly nice beach with some decent snorkelling, but is quite far out from town. Dinner is a fairly communal affair (Lynne's cooking is fantastic), giving a good chance to meet the other people staying there. It is a very small place though; I enjoyed the quiet, but if you want to be going to bars every night it is quite a way out of town. Taxis are easy to get from Neiafu, it's about $30 to get out to Luckys. You can sometimes arrange lifts with Kurt at Luckys, if he is going in to town. Alternatively, you can arrange scooter hire through Lucky's. I'm not sure what the deal with licenses is- for a car you need to get a licence from the police station.

I dived from Luckys, with Dive Vava'u (who I highly recommend). They managed to come get me each day, but pick up usually involved having to wade out to the boat, or asking Kurt to drive me round to a wharf at one of the nearby resorts. After dives, I usually went back with them into town, got lunch there (check out the Aquarium), and taxied back (or went sailing- yacht club and Aquarium are good spots to find yachties who after crew).

If you don't want to be so far out, Adventure backpackers in town was nice, and busier, though peaceful. Downside of staying in Neiafu is that there are no beaches. Upside is there is something like a nightlife.

Tonga is amazing, have a wonderful time. And listen out for the humpback whales when you are under water- you are going in peak season, and hearing them through a dive is magical!

forgot to say that you should contact Portwine Guesthouse in case you decide to stay in town. It has got a great atmosphere and it´'s beautiful located, it´s cheaper and more cozy than the backpackers. also you get in touch with the family. Better to call them! The phones are in some treads not far behind!

Speak to Tai, he is a great guy!

Hope he has put a hot shower!!!!