Tonga - Sailing

Hi,
I'm looking at chartering a yacht in Tonga and travelling around the islands of the Vava'u Group(only for about a week). From what I've seen it's very expensive.
Does anyone know of if you can charter decent yachts on arrival or even a reasonably priced charter that I could book from abroad that I may not have seen.The two main ones I've checked out are Moorings(whoa, big bickies) and Melinda Adventures, both sound great but just trying to see whats out there. Also looked at sailingsafaris, orion etc. all the main ones on the Tongaholiday.com website but they seem to focus more on the day trips.
If anyone has had experience hiring a sailing charter at all I'd be grateful for some info.

Thanks

Hi, danield,

I personally do not have any info, but try the following site and contact them for more info.

Vava'u Adventures

People running that place are Ben & Lisa Newton.

Operating out of Vava'u is the yacht 'Impetuous' with very experienced (and fun) skipper Sandy who knows the Vava'u and Ha'apai area well and will take you to many beautiful anchorages. www.sailingtonga.com

Thanks Amaile and wave2angela fro your responses.
Amaile you'd have to be the most helpful person Ive ever encountered in Thorn Tree. You're helping everyone on the Tonga thread.
Just one more question. The charter operators said its basically up to me where we go.
In the Vava'u Islands could you name a couple of great snorkelling spots and beautiful anchorages that you'd recommend.
Your advice seems honest and impartial.

Hi danield,

Thanks for your compliment. I'm blushing.

I haven't been to Vava'u for several years. I do remember enjoying 'Euakafa island, Vaka'eitu, as well as Port Morrel(spelling?).
Also, snorkelling in swallow's cave was also great.

Ask the local operators and yatchties. They know better and usually dying to share their knowledge.

Cheers

I agree that Amaile is always helpful!

Spent weeks sailing around Vava'u last season, amongst many other blue water cruisers and many chartered yachts and whales. The Moorings have a map (available to all, if they haven't run out of copies) which lists MANY anchorages (42 in all), with notes to tell you if they are good for overnight or just a day anchorage. Because Tongan place names can be similar, they have numbered the anchorages so you often hear people say that they're going to check anchorage #.., then go on to #.

ALL anchorages (of course) depend on wind and weather conditions, but many are closely spaced so you can island-hop as long as you are safely anchored by mid-afternoon

Everyone visits #7 Port Maurelle as it is about the closest bay to Neiafu so a good start.
Another favourite is #8 Nuku island...... so pretty they have beach weddings there.
Some villages organise villages feasts, #10 - Lisa's beach is good.
Best snorkelling is perhaps #16 - Vaka'eitu
On a sunny day, #14 - Blue Lagoon is just spectacular (blue, BLUE water) but not the most comfortable overnight anchorage.
If BAD weather threatens people dash for #12 Tapana (which I think is a little dull) or
#13 - Hunga Lagoon - a spectacular entrance and calm (if deep) holding close to the Ika Lahi deep sea fishing lodge (great food).

But to me the BEST thing about sailing around the Vava'u islands is getting out to the smaller ones where you will find fewer other yachts... some are tricky to pick your way in to - #30 - Kenutu others like #40 - Ovalau are easier, island nice to walk around, good snorkelling, whales past right by out boat!

Neiafu is good for provisioning, especially the market (which has some of the best basketware in the South Pacific) and that is part of the fun but, while it is a small place, you can waste a lot of time dashing around from shop to shop for provisions, so be organised, ask the locals, delegate and cast off. Many cruisers tend to get 'sucked in', spending longer than they intend, on the internet, joining the various social activities etc. If you are just there for a week..... you will probably spend first and last nights ashore, perhaps one night at an island feast so you won't need much food but you will need to get away QUICKLY!

I usually take from home a pile of 'nibbly' items which are hard to find (olives, good fresh plain biscuits, nuts, sauces in sachets, a couple of 'easy' meals) so I don't have to search. For a week I could easily arrive with almost everything I needed apart from bread, fruit and veggies, meat/fish, soft drinks!

Enjoy!

Thanks again to the both of you.
Wave2angela thats exactly what I was after, fantastic.
I'll see if I can track down that map.

5--- When I was there a yr ago they said Lisa's Beach was kind of off-limits, as some Japanese company was setting up a pearl farm venture with some local operators. But it's supposed to be one the nicest beaches near Neiafu. Any info on this?

I know that there was a pearl thing started almost 10 years ago, and I thought that they had left more than 5 years go.

Hi Danield,

I realize your post is an old one, but I just thought that I would mention that there are two small bareboat options in Vava'u now. One is a 26 ft folkboat which charters for $200USD per night, the other is a 30ft Miura sloop which charters for $300 USD. Both are older boats and not as "spiffy" as a Beneteau, but are good sailors and a great way to see the Vava'u group inexpensively. Have a look at vavauyachtcharters.com