Tonga - which island ?

I have 25 days at Tonga, on my way back home to Norway after having visited my son who's living in NZ.

I would so much like to find THE pacific paradise to spend my weeks.
I would be superhappy for your Tonga knowledge.

My perfect Tongastay is this:
- a nice and cosy budget accomodation (not because I don't have money, just because I hate hotels)
- a kind host
- a beautiful beach (I'm sorry, but I don't know if some beaches are more beautiful than others)
- semiquiet, calm, relaxed place
- I like snorkling, scubadiving, renting a boat, and just chill and read books.
- that's about it.

I suggest Matafonua Lodge in Ha'apai to satisfy most of your dream.

In 25 days you can visit all three major island groups.

On Tongatapu, the main island, you stay at the Nerima lodge. a short walk to town etc. If you have plenty of money, then go out and stay on Fafa island.

Others can make recommendations for accom in the Ha'apai group and the Va'vau group.

I spent a little over two weeks in the Ha'apai in December. Big regret that I did not book some nights at the Matafonua Lodge. I think it is situated in the nicest spot of all the places that I saw. Beautiful turquoise water with a view across to a deserted island (that you can kayak to, I understand that they provide kayaks for their guests). The water there seemed to be warmer than in the other places. (I live in southern California and the Tongan waters weren't as warm as I would have liked.) There is a scuba dive outfitter nearby. That's good for you because I was not impressed with the snorkeling. The beach there is public and there's a litter problem as you are walking toward the other resort. The owners invited me to join them for dinner one night in Mariner's Cafe, they seemed very nice.
I would also visit Uoleva island. The beaches there are incredible. I was the only visitor on the island for four out of five days, there are maybe 4 people living there plus an occasional villager from Lifuka coming to tend to their pigs. The only footprints in the sand were mine. I stayed at Captain Cooks and would highly recommend it. I saw no fish in the water.

Uiha island - the southern beach there is stunning. Walking to the beach you encounter a very serious looking fence. It is not there to keep you out but to keep the pigs away. The only place to stay is in the village, the church bells start ringing before 6, at night they were rehearsing for a group village performance until about 11pm so not that relaxing. (Beautiful singing and drumming though.) Bring snacks, the food is very basic and surprisingly much more expensive than Captain Cooks, who seemingly has more supply challenges.
Save Tongatapu for the end of your trip when you will appreciate the good restaurants and can visit the market and shops for souvenier shopping.

Howdy!

Ok I would suggest a stay at 2 islands, specifically Vava'u & Ha'apai.

Vava'u has a website: www.vavau.to/ that lists all that you can do and different types of accommodations available.

Otherwise the following website will help: www.tongaholiday.com/ which lists accommodation in Ha'apai and other areas in Tonga.

There a plenty of flights from NZ to Tongatapu serviced by either Pacific Blue or Air NZ and then from there you can fly to Vava'u or Ha'apai. A new airline has commenced and can assist with a more reliable flight schedule- Chathams Pacific (otherwise there is Airlines Tonga).

I feel you will be more relaxed at these 2 islands and will offer what you are looking for. The main island Tongatapu I would only suggest may a couple of days and you can always get some good souvenirs from Talamahu Market in town.

It is essential that you have mozzie repellant, sunscreen and any medicine (nurofen, diarrhoea tablets etc) that you know is good for you handy incase you get sick.

Otherwise have fun and keep in mind that the tourism industry in Tonga is not has developed than say, Fiji or even Tahiti. It has a long way to go but you can find some real nice hidden gems there where you can truly have a great holiday.

Hope this has been of some help.

All the best and happy travels.

Cheers,

Eni

I cannot agree more with Amaile, Harry and silvanocat. I enjoyed with my husband last year for 3 weeks at Matafonua lodge at Ha'apai and Nerima lodge at Tongatapu. Both perfectly situated with nicest personal ever! Tony's island tour and airport transfers are complementing all above mentioned. We will return there and we surely know where to go!

Silvanocat: Tell us about Captain Cook's. It sounds like they may have cleaned up their act. It was pretty deplorable when I was there 3 years ago.

Literally islandboi. The authority that accredits tourism facilities in Tonga was due for their annual inspection plus they had scheduled their lunch there. Major cleaning/repairs going on. I stayed in the cabin that backs the other one, it was clean and tidy (they were fixing the beds in the blue cabin on the beach) with a mozzie net that barely had any holes. The food was incredible, the first night I was taking a little bit from each dish and was stunned when he said that ALL the food on the table was for me. He even made a big pitcher of a kool-aid type drink to go with my dinner each night. I made my own breakfast (just my bread and jam) and he had a big thermos of hot water ready for me each morning to make my instant coffee. Then the tourism people stood him up for lunch and I was the only guest at this incredible feast that they had prepared including a whole piglet (no, I didn't eat it all).

He and his wife were very nice to me. I kept thinking about what you wrote about them looking like they were hiding something but just didn't see it. Each evening they would turn on the radio and listen to the news of the distant, distant world by the light of oil lamps.

Diana's looked very, very run down. I met a young couple who were having lots of fun in the water and were due to check in at her place. (They were the only guests on the island during my stay.) The next day I was told that they had come over to Captain Cooks to hire his boat to get out of there right away (her boat was broken which is why I didn't stay there, I was concerned about not having the ability to leave when I wanted to).

Even before my stay I had read and heard (from the people run Mariners who enjoy it as their getaway) good recent reviews.

thanks a lot to you for useful tips. Thanks!

Im so happy for all of your answers. And when I read all of this, I can't wait going To Tonga!!

Edited by: mostard

I would also like to recommend Fafa island which is 25 mins by ferry from the mainland for a few days stay and 'Eua which is only 7 mins away by plane. I'd probably spend 2/3 days on the mainland and then visit several of the islands. Please avoid Nuku'alofa on the weekend as everything shuts down at midday on Saturday and doesn't re-open until Monday, and there is no public transport. You can also visit Pangaimotu island which is only 10 mins by ferry, but avoid Sunday as all the locals go and it is very busy. Shops are few and far between and what they do have are very basic and expensive. I was shocked to find their grocery prices, gas etc are similar to the UK, yet they earn a fraction of our income. Goodness knows how they manage day to day. Since the riots of 2006 a lot of buildings were burnt down and they have yet to rebuild so facilities are much scarcer. Aside from that we had the most wonderful stay there with the nicest people we have ever met. They are genuinely surprised people want to visit Tonga or even that we knew were it was. Everyone asked us how we heard of Tonga. We just said 'hey, the rugby team of course' and they loved that.

Tongan's are wonderful people. They can be a little shy and reserved but if you give them the slightest encouragement, they really open up and are so welcoming and genuinely friendly. Gorgeous people, big smiles and massive hearts.

www.fafa.to
www.taufonua.com/eua
www.pangaimotu.to
Island flights from Jetsave Taufona email: tonga@taufona.to

Not very many good beaches on Vavau, actually. You need to get off the main island to the little islets.