Where to stay in Vava'u???

We are a couple staying in Vava'u for 5 nights. We're not sure whether to stay in/near Neiafu and take trips to the islands/snorkling spots/whales or whether to stay somewhere like Mala Resort where there is good snorkling and nice beaches on the island. I'm afraid that we'd be a bit isolated on, say, Mala and not be able to get around as freely as we'd like.

If we were to stay on the main island should we stay right in town or is somewhere like Toula a nice place to stay a little way out of town?

Any recommendations????

Thanks

Well, things are definitely spread out on Vavau. In town there's Adventure Backpackers, Port Wine Guest House, these are among the cheapest. Hilltop is mid-range or up, on a hill behind town. For air-con and a pool, Paradise Int'l , just a few blocks from town. Not sure where Toula is.

Then there's a couple of places down the road, on the way to the Tongan Beach Resort. Then TBR over a causeway, then Lucky's kind of at the end of the run, maybe 20 minutes drive to Vavau.

I guess it depends on whether you want to explore by foot or maybe motorscooter. If not, then wherever you stay a trip to the islets can be arranged.

Mala has a controversial owner. Some people don't want to stay there because of him, others say he's not that bad. No personal knowledge, just passing on what people said when I was there, and this has been reflected in TT comments.

If Toula sounds like a nice place at a fair price, ask them if they can arrange lagoon trips etc. , visits back to town by taxi, etc. Other places to check out include Lucky's, very nice website, nice spot on a so-so beach, but at the end of a pleasant little village. TBR looks like it had a good beach, but prices were a lot higher.

I arranged to rent a car from one of the staff at the Paradise, for about TP 50 a day, which was less than the rental agency. The place where you stay might help arrange a private car cheaper than the rental places. Lots of places to explore. There may now be scooter rentals on Vavau, which would be fun. You can get to Lucky's and TBR via scooter, even though they are a ways out of town it's really not that bad. Nice drive over causeways, etc.

I stayed at Lucky's and enjoyed it, the beach is not great, the owners are very friendly, the snorkelling is good and the village is nice. I stayed in the Tongan fale, which is a traditional hut. The problem is it is a bit far out, but most tour operators will do pick ups. You can kayak to Mala or Kurt, the owner of Lucky's, will drop you off over there; people who went over when I was there said the beaches and snorkelling are lovely.

Adventure backpackers in town was pleasant, you are near all the bars and restaurants if you want things to do in the evenings, but it does lack the atmosphere of Lucky's and there is no beach.

These places are both fairly budget options; if you can stretch a bit farther and don't mind being confined to one spot then the islands are gorgeous. Again, most dive/ snorkel/ whale watch companies will come and pick you up, so it shouldn't be too much of a hardship, though check with your resort that they do have a launch to make transfers easier (I went on trips where one or two of the pickups involved guests wading out or kayaking out to meet boats, not a problem if you don't mind getting damp!).

Mala has recently changed hands. Reports were that it is rathe rrundown and in need of tlc, local operators seemed reluctant to recommend it as a place to stay; maybe keep it for a day trip.

Enjoy Vava'u!

I just came back home from Vava'u one week ago. I stayed in Lucky's beach houses five days, in Mala nine days and in Portwine guesthouse eight days. Lucky's and Mala are close to eachother, a 20 minute drive from Neiafu. But you'll need to be picked up by the mala boat for a two minute boattrip out to Mala island.

The owners are new at Mala. (From july this year) And they are lovely!!! Both Shaun and his wife Carrie. Really really welcoming and including. I just loved my nine days there. On sundays they arrange a pigroast on a bonfire. With rom in a coconut around the bonfire for dessert. Shaun often plays the guitar. (He also build them) The staff are wonderful, and make wonderful food. I had a lobsterdinner, and the lobster was more than two and a half kilo!! Lots of fresh fish also!

Portwine guesthouse is situated in the middle of Neiafu. Two minutes walk from the main road. The host is a very very warm and friendly family. They are at the moment waiting for their container with their belongings to arrive from Melbourne, as they are taking over the buisness. Luisa retires, and her son, Ty, his wife Maryanne, their two children Ty and Lia will be the new owners from now on. The guesthouse is both clean and very cosy. With a nice veranda and garden. And I miss beeing with them. They always have time for you.