Leaving in 6 days! - Tonga

Well, I am leaving for Tonga in six days are arriving there around 6pm local time on Saturday - but thats about all the organising I have had time to do.... Slack I know.

We are a couple who have 1200 Pa'Anga each to last us the 7 days - and are after a relaxing/rewarding/adventerous 7 days. A time to have some time together and see allot.

We enjoy drinking as well as the natural side of it all - animals/whales etc. Is anyone able to help out with some pointers on accommodation - options - itinerary etc?

I know we are leaving this extra late.

Thanks in advance.

Leon

The next day is Sunday and legally all you can do is lie down and wait for Monday to come(!)

Might be too late for Whales.

Getting out of Tongtapu would be highly recommended. You should fly.
I only know Tongatapu and you will be bored after 7 days, all reports are that the other islands are much more interesting.

The Good Samaritan on Tongatapu is a terrible place to stay.

Hi, I really think you should contact a few places to try and organise your accommodation before you arrive - I've just returned from a month in Tonga and many places were fully booked. Have a look a tongastay.com - there's quite a few places in your budget - for in town I'd recommend Ali baba's, nerima lodge, heilala lodge or Pleasant lodge (formerly Tom's guesthouse) or for a bit more upmarket villa mackenzie is great. To stay at the beach on Tongatapu - there's a new resort white sands which looks good - new, pool, soft white sand, ha'atafu is great very basic and low key but well run, good beach and great food. Good Samaritan is on the improve apparantly and Otuhaka is okay - both get mixed reports. I would definitely try white sands or ha'atafu first.

Most things shut down on Sunday including bus and taxi services. So if you spend your first night in town - your best option for exploring will be to get the boat to pangimotu island - which is a nice place to spend sunday afternoon. Also - cover up and head off to a church service on sunday morning - the singing is just beautiful.

In terms of places to go - you should try and sort out flights before you leave if you want to visit other islands - otherwise you may have trouble flying to the other islands - I doubt you'd be able to get a flight on the Monday - maybe the Tuesday - but make sure you plan to fly back at least a day or two before your deperture - because interisland flights are really unreliable. A ferry to Eua for a few days would be doable. Also people I met spoke really highly of fa fa island resort - for very relaxing quiet break - not sure about the cost though. I think tongatapu is not as scenic as Vava'u and the beaches not as good as ha'apai, but with only 7 days you could have a nice time - relaxing, swimming, snorkelling, exploring, eating out and drinking just on tongatapu.

You might spot a few whales but it's getting pretty late for whale watching - some were already heading back south when we were there. good luck

Tonga is a wonderful laid back place - that is not overly touristed - and while that is part of it's charm - it will also work against you if you turn up on a sat night with only 7 days and nothing pre-organised.

Thanks guys for all the advice - unlike Rarotonga, I have decided I should really get a few bits and pieces booked up and locked in. I will heed the advice and look to book in a couple of nights accommodation - and look to book a flight on Monday and return Thursday - to Vava'u or Ha'apai.

How did you find your trip there Jay Dee seeing as you just returned?

I have spoken to a travel agent and Ha'Apai is the cheaper option priced at $288 compared to $404 for Vavu'u - Is there any other options I should be looking at (Etu?)

At this stage - the brief look at my itinerary is starting to shape up to be.

Sat: arrive.
Sun: relax
Mon: Thu - Ha'apai, vavu'u or Etu
Fri: relax/markets etc
Sat: Depart for NZ

Glad I got the advice here - I would have just tried booking everything there!

As for the whales, bit sad to hear we may have missed them - fingers crossed they will be there in the weekend as that was going to be a highlight!

Hi Leon - All the best with your plans. I'm glad you've been able to start making a few arrangements before you arrived. I think you'll be able to get more out of your time there by doing that. I actually haven't been to Ha'apai only tongatapu and vava'u. I think your itinerary sounds good - I've heard Sandy beach resort in Ha'apai is a good place to stay.

I really enjoyed my trip to Tonga - it was my second trip. Both have involved a work componant which is why I have spent most of my time on Tongatapu - but i don't mind - I found plenty to do there or not do - and just relax. This last trip I spent 3 weeks in Nuku'alofa and then 2 weeks at Ha'atafu beach resort (we really like it there). There's some great cafes and restaurants in town. I recommend Friends Cafe, Reef Cafe (down on the wharf opposite the Waterfront Guesthouse), Pizza Pazza which is upstairs at La Terrazza near the catholic church on Vuna Rd, Fiesta Seafood resataurant on Salote Rd Mau'fanga and there's a new one - the the 2 sisters italian just opened up opposite Friends or Luna Rossa would be nice for a special night out. Friday nights there is traditional dancing and feast at Liku'alofa resort which is on the west coast about 30 mins from town. It's supposed to be good - it's a gorgeous setting right over the ocean.

You won't need long for the markets - but do wander upstairs to have alook there too - alot of people don't realise there's more stalls upstairs - it's easy to miss.

I hope you'll get to see some whales in Ha'apai - but it just might be not as close up as it can be earlier in the season if they're already en route back.

Good luck :)

Malo lelei! Try and squeeze as much as you can out of your mini visit.
For Saturday: Nightsclubs along the seaside in Nuku'alofa? Eg. Billfish?
For Sunday: I would recommend you to stroll around to churches and listen to the overwhelming choir singing. Independently of your own religious beliefs, it's a beautiful way to learn about Tongan life, because Tongan life IS the church. Another option is to take the small ferry from Nuku'alofa wharf to Pangaimotu island (15 min) with a lovely little beach and a bar which is OPEN!