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The Best Places to Stay in Tonga
The forgotten sibling of Polynesia, Tonga endures from a lack of distinguishing characteristics, sparse population (only approximately 110,000 inhabitants), and a scarcity of worldwide connections. The sole kingdom of the South Pacific is not on the tourist path, unlike Fiji, which is more accessible; New Caledonia, which is considerably more advanced; and Vanuatu, which is larger and with much more offerings. And Tonga is comparatively disorganized: for example there is no scheduled public transportation anywhere (even in the capital), taxis have no meters, and the sole international airport at Fua’amotu resembled a hut (but was undergoing renovations in 2018).
Tonga continues offering attractions like other locations – snorkeling turquoise lagoons and relaxing on remote snow-white beaches. However, very few travel vendors organize anything leisurely, much less adventuresome activities. Some visitors appreciate the authenticity of the `real` Polynesia, lack of tourism, and easy access off beaten paths. Others lament about the unmaintained beaches, inconsistent inter-island transport, occasional food shortfalls, and nationwide closure every Sunday for religious observance.
About three quarters of Tongans live on the main island, Tongatapu, with one third of these residing in Nuku’alofa (which means ‘Abode of Love’). The laid back capital is agreeably worn and surprisingly small, with a couple of somewhat intriguing attractions, and an apparent excess of hotels. The sole beach on the island is the stretch between Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu on the far western tip, which offers winds cherished by surfers, and lagoons relished by snorkelers.
Most of the remaining one hundred seventy islets and atolls are uninhabitable and inaccessible by plane or boat, but ideal for well-equipped yachters. All offer pristine beaches and luminous lagoons, but a few also have other attractions. ‘Eua, close to the main island, has a national park, with mountains, caves and rainforests perfect for hiking and bird-watching. The Ha’apai Islands, dotted with tiny villages and uninhabited islets, offer numerous activities (such as horse-riding), and some colonial buildings and archaeological remains to explore. And the far-flung Vava’u Islands are a yachting haven offering history, charm and adventure.
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However, remember that Tonga is one of the least developed island nations in the South Pacific. Flights between islands are infrequent and expensive; boat travel is long, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe; and facilities such as banks and pharmacies do not exist outside the capital city.
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The Best Places to Stay in Tonga
- Best Luxury Hotels in Tonga
Waterfront Lodge • Tanoa International Dateline Hotel • Mystic Sands - Best Boutique Hotels in Tonga
Little Italy Hotel • Seaview Lodge - Best Budget Hotels in Tonga
Emerald Hotel • Tungi Colonnade Hotel
- Best Region for Beaches: Uoleva Island
- Best Area for Water-Based Activities: Vava’u Islands
Tonga boasts an extraordinary variety of sea life, including turtles, manta rays, marlin, and even (harmless) sharks. Add underwater caves, volcanic tunnels, coral gardens, and transparent blue waters, and it`s unsurprising that divers relish the region. The Vava`u Islands to the distant northeast also offer crystal-clear waters, soft and hard coral, steep drop-offs, amazing visibility (often over 30m), and unusually for the area, a sunken ship. Snorkeling is also ideal in the calm lagoons just offshore. Getting there is not simple, but leaving may be even harder. - Best Area for Surfing and Aquatics: Ha’atafu Beach
Considered the prime surfing locale in Tonga, delightfully proximate to the funds – approximately 22 kilometers from the funds. Next to the Ha’atafu Marine Preserve, the coastline perches atop the Hihifo Peninsula, accepting winds and swells from dual directions, consequently surfing is first-class year-round: but solely for specialists. Surprisingly, Ha’atafu, and the coastline expanding to Kanokupolu, likewise confronts an broad lagoon that has ensnared abundant marine life, accordingly it’s perfect for snorkeling, bathing, and kayaking. Yet note: in contrast to Fiji, water-activities like jet skiing and paragliding are not furnished anywhere in Tonga. - Prime area for water activities: Neiafu (Vava’u Islands)
There are 3 things that yachties strive for: steady and trustworthy winds, which Tonga offers all over, especially in the north; a sheltered harbor for mooring; and plenty of activities after sailing, particularly bars and cafés. In Neiafu, the wonderfully-named Port Of Refuge is regarded as one of the safest and most scenic harbors in the South Pacific, and offers some colonial history and appealing eateries. - The finest region for cuisine and eateries: Neiafu (Vava’u Islands)
. - Every resort and major hotel has at minimum 1 dining establishment – even in the more remote islands, where there may be no other places to eat. The capital is disappointing, with only a scattering of decent cafés, while most eateries there sell nothing but deep-fried junk. The finest variety and quality of cuisine and restaurants is where wealth resides: Neifa, one of the world’s most scenic ports for yachters who remain for weeks, often longer durations. The photogenic Port of Refuge is lined with expensive vessels, and consequently, cafés and bars, all popular spots for waiting, recuperating, and networking. Consider gin and tonics on deck chairs along terraces above the harbor, and exclusive yacht clubs serving pricey European fare. Of course, the seafood is abundant and fresh.
- The favored island for family vacations is Tongatapu Island
- Best Region for Vibe & Culture: Nuku’alofa
With just about 25,000 individuals (which still equates to around one-quarter of the country’s citizens), the funds is still a town at core. To experience the long-standing way of life, firmly based on Tonga Time, visit the extensive Talamahu Market, which operates in lieu of any considerable supermarket in the entire nation. The additional community hubs are the numerous churches, some modern and evangelical, others colonial and traditional. Churches are constantly full on Sundays (when the entire country virtually closes), but there’s always space for visitors. Nuku’alofa is also home to the Royal Family, with the palace and tombs in the town center, but these are off-limits to all. - Being only a few degrees south of the equator, there is no escape from the tropical climate, even though Tonga is generally milder than places like Bali or Phuket. During the rainy season (November to April), the high temperatures and humidity are not as problematic as the constant rain and looming cyclones. In contrast to the northern Vava`u islands, which are hotter and more humid for longer periods, the southernmost island of `Eua experiences the least rain and coolest conditions in Tonga. Additionally, the mountains help reduce humidity and ensure chilly nights sometimes requiring extra layers.
- Best Region for Romantic Getaways: Fafá Island
Unlike other South Pacific nations, Tonga has not embraced the booming honeymoon industry, so almost no resort offers intimate villas with plunge pools, or secluded over-the-water bungalows. One exception is Fafá Island Resort, a private island barely 30 minutes by boat from the capital. Fronting an outstanding beach, it offers a constrained number of gorgeous traditional-style fales (bungalows): 2 in particular for newlyweds. Guests can be romanticizing within an hour or so of landing in Tonga, although total seclusion could be blighted by pesky day-trippers.
In a tropical archipelago of islands encircled by bleached-white sand and turquoise-blue waters, it seems unfair to narrow down just 1, but Uoleva wins by a whisker. Part of the Ha’apai group of islands, the beaches are not only pristine and mostly empty, but perfectly photogenic: curved bays of sloping palms with coral and marine life almost within touching distance. Except for hotel staff and guests, the island is uninhabited, so it’s the quintessential ‘tropical island escape’, yet Uoleva is just a short boat ride from the main island, with the ferry terminal and airport. And the migrating humpback whales come close to shore between July and October.
€› Item: Best Region for Shopping: Nuku’alofa
.€� A capital with barely 25,000 residents feels similar to an oversized village, so markets remain fundamentally important to local community life, simply because there are no Western model supermarkets across the entire nation. With no globally renowned retailers, or anything remotely matching a shopping mall, the Talamahu Market caters to a wide range of fresh produce and meats, as well as a few gift stalls, while impromptu fish markets are assembled on boats along the harbor facing the eastern esplanade. Perhaps more noteworthy is the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre situated along the main street, housing an impressive array of locally created arts and craft pieces available at reasonable fixed prices.
In sharp distinction from neighboring island countries, Tonga provides very few resorts catering to families, for example with special accommodations, packaged offers, kids’ clubs, or children’s pools, and there is nothing even remotely resembling an adventure park. To avoid traveling to remote islands, which involves expensive flights and (often) extended wait times at airports, some families opt to stay on the principal island of Tongatapu. The number of attractions in the surprisingly small capital, Nuku’alofa, is very limited, but it has spacious and safe areas with minimal traffic, and boat trips to the nearby islands of Fafá, Pangaimotu, and ‘Atata are easy to arrange. The sole beaches on Tongatapu – at Ha’atafu and the nearby Kanokupolu – are convenient day trips from the capital, but younger visitors may prefer lodging there in rustic bungalows facing an unspoiled beach, with a perfect lagoon ideal for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling.
€› Item: Best Region for Weather: ‘Eua Island
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The Best Regions in Tonga for Tourists
Nuku’alofa (on the main island)
The underdeveloped and underwhelming capital provides a satisfactory variety of cafés and budget to mid-range accommodation options, but only 1 location could be considered a resort destination. There is little in the town to occupy visitors for extended periods, other than a market or 2, and a church or 6, and the coastline is pleasant for walking, but unsuitable for swimming. Nuku’alofa represents the sole practical base for exploring the caves, monuments and beaches across the main island, as well as for day trips to nearby islands like Fafá, Pangaimotu, and ‘Atata.
- Dine at some of Vancouver’s authentic Asian eateries or explore the city’s other culinary highlights.
Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu Beaches (on the main island)
The solitary coastlines on the primary island are about 22 kilometers from the funds, and moderately achievable by transport or chartered taxi. The ivory sands flanked with angled date palms spreading between Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu shores on a thin promontory attracting solid breezes in 2 bearings, making it world-class for surfing. Yet, the coastlines likewise face a serene lagoon of azure-verdant waters perfect for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. Scattered rustic cottages gaze out on both shores, giving the quintessential tropical concealment, and from about June to November, humpback whales pass near. However general traveler foundations (e.g. bistros and shops) are defective or non-existent, so show up arranged.
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- Best Hotel: Ha’atafu Beach Resort
‘Eua
Difficult to pronounce yet easily accessible, this tear-formed island may be among one of Tonga`s largest landmasses, facilities remain basic: for example, there is no public transportation or even eating establishments (so dine at your accommodation). The mountains, cliffs, caverns, and rainforests within the national park are ideal for trekking, and help generate a cooler climate. Other attractions for the more daring include bird-watching (with endemic species), diving (particularly among underwater caves), and just offshore, whale-viewing (July to November). While lodging is modest – usually just family-run lodges – ‘Eua is reasonably reachable from the main island: about 2 hours by boat, or under 10 minutes by air (reportedly the world’s briefest flight)).
Ha’apai Islands
Located about halfway along the Tongan archipelago, the Ha’apai Islands take approximately 45 minutes by air or 12 hours by boat to reach from the capital city. Around 70% of the 62 volcanic islands and coral-fringed atolls are uninhabited, offering a perfect tropical escape. Imagine deserted beaches with snow-white sands, shallow lagoons of sapphire blue waters teeming with coral and fish, and tiny villages existing within their own pace. Unlike other islands, there are actually a few sights to see here like colonial monuments and archaeological remains, as well as activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and snorkeling. The primary island, Lifuka, is home to most accommodations along with the ferry terminal and airport (the runway forms part of the island’s sole main road). Only two other islands provide lodging options: Foa, connected to Lifuka by a causeway, boasts the finest beach at Houmale’eia; and Uoleva is uninhabited excluding hotel staff and guests, providing the perfect setup for a secluded getaway.
- Top Accommodation: Matafonua Lodge
Vava’u Islands
Over an hour away by plane and a grueling 24-hour boat journey from the capital lies the Vava`u island chain of 61 islands in Tonga promoted as the area for seeking adventure. The countless translucent lagoons, coral-covered atolls and deserted beaches are difficult to access but buses and rental vehicles are available on the primary island. Other activities to engage in include whale watching from July to October, chartered sailing, deep sea angling, surfing and snorkeling. The main transportation terminus situated at the aptly named Port of Refuge in Neiafu draws yachters seeking steady breezes, sheltered anchorages and refreshing gin beverages. Neiafu has a pleasantly unkempt feel with colonial era constructions as well as a suitable choice of places for nourishment, refreshment and accommodation. The outer islands especially Kapa and Mafana also offer an impressive selection of lodgings but even more enjoyable are the family-run retreats where guests share meals with local hosts.
- Top-rated lodging: Mystic Sands
