Tongatapu

Understand

It is a coral island surrounded by coral reefs. The capital, Nuku'alofa, on the north coast, has a relaxed air, despite the troubles of a few years ago (see article on Tonga). Most of the interesting places are outside Nuku’alofa but most of the places to stay are in the capital. There is a good bus network and car rental is possible.

1 Friends Cafe & Tourist Center, Hala Taufa'ahau, [email protected]. Monday- Saturday 07:30 - 22:00. Tourist information including maps, brochures, and options for tours. (updated Aug 2024)

Getting there

By plane 1 Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU IATA) (30-min drive from Nuku'alofa). The largest airport in Tonga. There are several flights a week from Auckland, Sydney, Suva and Nadi. (updated Dec 2019) Air New Zealand flies from Auckland five or six times weekly, excluding Sundays Virgin Australia flies from Sydney and Auckland twice a week. You can also arrive from Fiji (Nadi and Suva) on Fiji Airways, with connections from the USA, Hong Kong, Australia and Samoa. A crowd of local taxi drivers meets each incoming flight at the airport and they usually charge 50 pa'anga to Nuku'alofa. The Teta Tours mini-bus also meets flights and will deliver you to your hotel or guest house for 10 pa'anga. If you arrive on Saturday, beware that there will be no shops open on Sunday, bar one or two bakers, and that your hotel may not serve meals until the evening (some provide a packed breakfast on Saturday evening!), so discuss food arrangements for Sunday with your hotel or you may go hungry!

By boat Cruise ships dock at the 2 Vuna Wharf just northeast of the Royal Palace, on the north side of Nuku'alofa.

Getting around

Nuku'alofa is small enough to walk around and taxis are available. (You can take a bus from around the terminal, but the bus is unreliable, taxi is a better option.) You can go by boat to the small islands around Nuku'alofa from the pier. Tongatapu can just about be seen in one day by car or motorbike. You can rent cars and motor scooters. A Tongan driver's licence for T$25 is available and can be obtained at the police department with your home licence.There are few road signs on Tongatapu so you'll need a good map if you're touring in a car. The speed limit on most of the island is 50 km/h (31 mph) and this is stuck to by the local drivers. The police have radar guns to check. The roads are good in and around Nuku'alofa but deteriorate the further from the town and the further south you travel.You can hire a car from the Friend's Tourist Centre (near the main post office) for about T$50 and a tour of the island is about 120 km. Many cars on the island are in a terrible state, maintained on a budget and held together by a combination of Western Union stickers and prayer. The low speed limit helps to keep accidents down. However, there have been a lot of imports of reconditioned Japanese cars and the general quality of vehicles is improving. Available cars for rent are good. Teta Tours and Toni's guest house offer day tours of all the main tourist sights (T$40-80 depending on how many are on the tour). Buses to various points on Tongatapu run from the bus concourse on the seafront in Nuku'alofa although there are no timetables posted and local sources say that they are not reliable after about 15:30 on most days. With few bus stops you just stand on the side of the road and flag the driver down (do not wave, they will wave back and keep driving). The most popular buses in Tonga are generally the loudest, so when you want to get off a reasonably loud "stop" will do it (again, just anywhere you want them to stop). If you don't like kids or crowds avoid the buses at th

See

1 Tonga National Museum. M-F 10:00 - 15:00. It was opened in 1998 and closed in the early 21st century due to lack of funding. The museum was reopened by the Queen in 2020. Its collection comprises of historic artefacts and replicas, many of which have been returned to Tonga from private collection around the world. The most famous item in the collection is the preserved body and shell of Tu'i Malila, a radiated tortoise that is said to have been gifted to the royal family by Captain James Cook himself. The tortoise lived its life in the gardens of the royal palace, and was even shown to British Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Tonga in 1953. The tortoise passed away in 1966, at the age of 189 years old. (updated Aug 2024) 2 Tukuʻaho Memorial Museum (Ko e Misiume Fakamanatu ʻO Tukuʻaho). by appointment only. A small history museum that houses many historic artefacts donated to it by the Tongan royal family. It also documents the history of education in Polynesia. Free. (updated Aug 2024) 3 Ha’amonga ‘a Maui (Burden of Maui) (near the village of Niutōua, in the northeast corner of the island). 09:00-18:00. This archaeological site is a trilithon made out of coral, limestone rock. The name means ‘Maui’s burden’, referring to the Polynesian God Maui, who according to legend formed the Kingdom of Tonga by fishing the islands from the depths of the sea. The Ha’amonga ‘a Maui is thought to have been built around 1200 AD. There are several theories regarding its purpose. One is that the King, fearing his two sons would quarrel on his death, erected it as a symbol of brotherhood. Each son was represented by a stone pillar, and united by the lintel. A more likely explanation is that it was the gateway to the King’s palace at his new capital. This capital did not last long, hence the present-day isolation of the trilithon. (updated Dec 2019)

4 Captain Cook Landing Site (along the Taufa'ahau Road between Holonga and Alaki villages). A historical landmark where Captain C

Do

Take a day trip to Pangaimotu or one of the outer islands. A trip to Pangaimotu Island costs about T$20 return. The small island, the closest one to Nuku`alofa has a half sunken ship wreck to snorkel around. However, beware of jumping off as the bottom is shallow on some sides and the rusted ship is sharp. The ship also attracts sea snakes. The island takes about an hour to meander around and has a restaurant which serves good food and hires snorkeling gear (costly). Good idea to go on Sunday when most other things are closed. Consider buying some interesting stamps at 1 Tonga Post and mail yourself or loved ones a letter with heart-shaped, watermelon-shaped or even banana-shaped stamps!

2 Ancient Tonga, Tamakautonga Rd, Nuku'alofa, ☏ +676 25-510, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-16:00. Experience Tonga's culture. Buffet and cultural show offered every Friday (pre-registration required). From T$45. (updated Dec 2019) Kolomotu'a (Nuku'alofa). (updated Sep 2022) 3 Anahulu Caves, Haveluliku, ☏ +676 23 363, [email protected]. Partially flooded limestone caves with fresh water pools. Tours include the optional experience of swimming in one of the underground pools. T$20 per person. (updated Aug 2024) 4 Matatahi 'Anahulu Beach. 24/7. Sandy beach on a walking distance of the Anahulu Caves. Free. (updated Aug 2024) 5 Ha'atafu Beach.