Tonga Destination Guide

Tonga National Cultural Center

....your one stop tour of the Kingdom !

Daily - Cultural Demonstrations

Mon - Fri 2.00pm -4.00pm

Group Tour 10 above: $25per person

Less than 10: $35.00per person

Includes:

• Musem Tour
• Mat Weaving
• Tapa Making
• Coconut Demo
• Dancing
• 'Umu
• Light Fruit Lunch
  

ANZ Bank
Telephone: + (676) 24944                                                                     
Opening Hrs:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm
Sat:8:30am-11:30am 

WESPAC BANK OF TONGA
Telephone: +(676) 23933
Opening Hrs:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm
Sat: 8:30am-12:00pm

TONGA DEVELOPMENT BANK
Telephone: +(676) 23333
Banking Hrs:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm
Sat: Closed

MBf Bank
Telephone: +(676) 24600
Banking Hrs:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm
Sat: Closed
Note: airport branch opens for every flight.

You can tee off at the nine-hole Tonga Golf Club at ‘Atele along the Taufa’ahau Road, opposite the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. Green fees $15. Visitors are welcome to join and clubs can be hired.

Tonga's northern island Niuafo'ou has some of the best bird watching options. It is very remote and till very recent times, was accessible by boat only. The rare Polynesian Megapode can be seen in its natural habitat here. The island of Vava'u is much easier to visit. The northern part of Vava'u has native forests that are home to the Tongan Whistler, another bird indigenous to Tonga. The small islands of Maninita and Taula are close by and they have nesting sites for many seabirds, and breeding areas for land birds.

There are no public buses, all are privately owned. There is no scheduled for the buses running hour, but buses start early in the morning about 7am until 5pm in the afternoon. If you are travelling out of town make sure you are by the road at about 3pm in time to catch a bus back into town. There are two central bus stations along Vuna road in Nuku’alofa. Opposite the Ministry of Education building is the Bus station that takes you to the far eastern and western district. Just further down Vuna road, opposite the Tonga Visitors Bureau office, is the Central Bus Station that takes you as far as the Hospital and around the town area.

Nuku'alofa - Eastern Side

‘Atele     -------------------  $0.90

Veitongo -----------------   $1.00

Vaini     -------------------- $1.20

Malapo   ------------------  $1.30

Tatakamotonga   ------  $1.60

Lapaha  ------------------   $1.90

Talafo’ou   ---------------   $2.50

Niutoua   -----------------   $2.90

Pelehake   ---------------  $1.50

Fua’amotu   -------------  $1.90

Nuku'alofa - Southern & Western Side           

Fatai   ---------------------   $0.95

Nukunuku   --------------   $1.20

Te’ekiu   ------------------   $1.30

Houma   ------------------   $1.40

Kolovai   ------------------   $1.60

Ha’atafu   -----------------  $2.50

MONEY TRANSFER:

-Western Union + (676) 24345

-Money Gram + (676) 27847

There are daily excursions to the offshore islands, where you can relax on the island’s beautiful beaches, join in the daily activities, and return later in the afternoon. The islands are very close – it is only a 15 minute trip to Pangaimotu (the nearest), and less than an hour to Royal Sunset (the farthest). There are bars and restaurants available

.

Resort                                           Phone (676)                 Email

Pangaimotu Island Resort       15762                         pangaimotu@kalianet.to

Fafa Island Resort                     22800                         fafa@kalianet.to

Royal Sunset Island Resort     21254                         royalsun@kalianet.to

Tongatapu: Around the offshore islands, Tongatapu has everything a driver could wish for, with wrecks, corals, walls, chasms and caves to explore. Most operators can take you snorkeling and there are charters available for sport fishing, with catches including yellow fin tuna, mahi and marlin.

Operator                                        Phone (676)           Email

Deep Blue Tonga                              23379                     contact@deep-blue-diving.to

Blue Water Fishing Charters              75847                     craig@bluewatercharters.net

Royal Sunset Fishing& Diving Tours   21254                     royalsunset@kalianet.to

Vava’u: has a wide variety of diving catering for all levels and abilities. The water is some of the clearest in the world; and is well known for its amazing caves.

Operator                                        Phone (676)                  Email

Beluga Diving-------------------------70327  ------------------ beluga@kalianet.to

Dolphin Pacific Diving--------------70292  -----------------  divedpd@kalianetvav.to

Dive Vava’u----------------------------70492  -----------------  info@divevavau.com

Riki Tiki Tours------------------------70975  -----------------  christy@sailtonga.com

BILLFISH BAR
Location: Maufanga
Telephone: +(676) 24084
STEAK & ROCK BAR
Location: Taufa'ahau Rd, Nuku'alofa
 Telephone: + (676) 28410
ROADHOUSE BAR
Location: Maufanga
Telephone: +(676) 28701
HOTEL NUKUALOFA BAR
Location: Nukualofa
Telephone: +(676) 24244
VAKALOA BEACH RESORT BAR
Location: Kanokupolu
Telephone: +(676) 41233
HAKAUTAPU BAR
Location: Kanokupolu
Telephone: +(676) 41967

Village Pharmacy

Ph#: (+676) 27522

Beauticious...indulgence meets necessity. Penny Fox, a qualified beautician offers variety of treatments. From facial treatments, luxury manicures & pedicure to waxing, for both men and women.

Location: Kolofoou, Tongatapu

Opening Hours:

• Weekdays:  [9:00am - 5:00pm]
• Friday:  [9:00am - 8:00pm]
• Saturday:  [9:00am - 3:00pm]

There are two ferries (MV Olovaha and MV Pulupaki) that service between Tongatapu and the outer island groups departing every Tuesday afternoon. Both ferries’ schedules sometimes vary so check with the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, Uata Shipping or Tonga Visitor Bureau for the latest schedules on arrival. If you plan to travel straight out to the northern islands, email or phone to check departure times prior to your arrival:

MV Olovaha, phone (676) 23853, email info@scptonga.com

MV Pulupaki, phone (676) 23855

Destination                           Day         ETD             ETA              Adult      Child (4-12)

Nuku/Ha’afeva                     Tue          4pm           12am           $42         $21

Ha’afeva/Pangai                  Wed        2.30am     3.30am        $21         $11

Pangai/Neiafu                      Wed        5.30           11am           $38         $22

Neiafu/Pangai                      Wed        4pm           10pm           $21         $11

Pangai/Ha’afeva                  Thu         12am         1am             $42         $21

Ha’afeva/Nuku                     Thu         3am           11am           $53         $35

Nuku’alofa/Ha’apai                                                                     $58         $32

Nuku’alofa/Vava’u                                                                       $81         $43

Hospitals a valid yellow fever certificate and a valid cholera certificate are required

by all Travelers over one year old who have been in an infected area prior to arrival

in Tonga.

Tongatapu                       Location         Phone (676)

Vaiola Hospital                  Tofoa                23200

‘Eua                                  Location          Phone (676)

Niu’eiki Hospital                  Angaha             50111

Vava’u                                                Location         Phone (676)

Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital              Neiafu              70200

Ha’apai                                     Location         Phone (676)

Niu’ui Hospital                             Hihifo               60203

The Tongan islands do not have mountain ranges so hiking trails are few in number. However, there are plenty of enjoyable walking routes along the oceanfront in Vava'u and Ha'apai. Vava'u has a few difficult hills to climb and for the real hiking enthusiasts, ‘Eua has several challenging trails into the tropical rain forest and along the cliffs.

All the island groups still use horses as a mode of  transport. Horses can be hired through hotels and tour operators. As saddles are not easily found, the activity is best for experienced riders only!

Vava'u                    Location                Phone [676]

Lighthouse               Neiafu                     71395

Cafe Tropicana         Neiafu                     71322 

Ha'apai                  Location                 Phone [676]

Mariner Cafe            Pangi                       60374

You can go jogging at the waterfront along Vuna Road, or use the track at Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium. Aerobics classes with the Ma’alahi programme are held daily at Teufaiva Gymnasium and at the waterfront, opposite Air New Zealand Office.

Hop in the driver’s seat and enjoy an exciting tour of Vava’u. Guided tours along dirt tracks bring you to stunning lookouts, remote beaches and tropical plantations.

Operator                            Phone(676)                 Email

Vava’u Adventures           70493                          vavauadventures@yahoo.com

Site: lagoon-lodge.com
Traveller's full name: Ms. Diana Buchanan
Traveller's email: dbuchanan@mrcagney.com
Traveller's country: Australia
Traveller's request: Would 4 individuals on a business trip be able to comfortably occupy one apartment?

Thank you for showing interest in Lagoon Lodge. They can comfortably occupy on the Family Suite Apartment. There are 2 bed rooms with 1 queen size bed in each room + 2 single beds.

Hello!

at the moment i am planning our stopover in tonga. Please send as flight-schedules (or the internet link) from apia to lifuka (pangai) and back in december 2009, because we don´t find the schedules.

it would be nice to now how much a reurn ticket costs.

thanks for your help and many greetings from Switzerland, Steffen

Thank you for you enquiry. Actually we don’t provide direct flight from Apia to Lifuka(Pangai), but here are the option that can meet your request. I had checked our system for a return flight from APIA to TONGA via NADI (Fiji) in the Air Pacific, it will cost you around T$857 for cheapest fare and it can be more than that, but you have to give us a particular date, so we can able to give you the exact fare. For the Air New Zealand is Top 857 return fare (direct flight from Apia to Tongatapu) There is only one domestic airline here in Tonga which is the Chathams Pacific Airline, they have everyday flight to Lifuka(Pangai), and the return fare is TOP 409.40/ TBU/HAP/TBU Please find schedule from Apia to Nadi(Fiji) and the flight schedule from Tongatapu(mainland) to Ha’apai(Lifuka) as well.

MONDAY / AIR PACIFIC LTD / APW/NAN/TBU

SATURDAY / AIR PACIFIC LTD / TBU/NAN/APW

THURSDAY // AIR NEW ZEALAND // NZ27 // APW/TBU

TUESDAY//AIR NEW ZEALAND// NZ26// TBU/APW

Located just along the waterfont and just before the main wharf, you can view selections of local seashells and other kinds of seafood fresh from the local seas of Tonga. Best time is early morning on

Located just along the waterfront and just before the main wharf, you can view selections of local seashells and other kinds of seafood fresh from the local seas of Tonga. Best time is early morning on.

Located just at the outskirts of Nuku’alofa at the village of Popua about 4 km away from town. The Old Tonga Village resembles a traditional village setting with traditional fales and archtechture overlooking the lagoon. Tours can be arranged on a daily basis except on Sunday. Also caters for special functions etc, offering great accommodation as well.

The Post Office is located on Taufa’ahau Road in Nuku’alofa.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 8.30am-4pm

This devoutly Christian nation honours Sundays across every island group the Sabbath

isDeclared sacred in the Tongan Constitution. Virtually every denomination is

represented in Tonga with each church taking an interest in the development of the

country.

You must obtain a local driver’s licence before you are able to rent  a car/van. There are plenty of car rental companies located in Nuku’alofa.

Company                  Phone (676)         Email

Avis Rentals               21179                   avis@tonfon.to

Fab Rentals               23077                    rogerlee@kalianet.to

Jones Rentals            29917                    ati.fauonuku@kl2.emjones.to

New Millennium          30344                    nmatele8@kalianet.to

Pasifika Rentals         27718                    pasifikarentalcars@tonfon.to

Sunshine Rentals       23848                    sunshinerentalcar@yahoo.com

Fafa Island Resort’s Sea Star Sailing Charter lets visitors discover the magic beauty of Tonga Islands aboad its 54ft bluewater ketch. Phone 676 22800, email holiday sailing@gmail.com or www.seastar.to

Supermarkets are open from 8am-5pm, Monday to Thursday to Saturday and late night on Friday.

Supermarket                   Location

Alatini's                                      Taufaahau Road,Opposite Rainbow Bakery.

Molisi Supermarket                 Tupoulahi Road, Opposite Noah Contrustion.

Si'i Kae Ola                               Taufaahau Road, Next to Seven Day Adventish Chr.

First Choice                              Salote Road, Next to EM Jones Gas Station.

Next door to the Central Police Station, Tonga’s colorful fruit and various fresh vegetable, market is open every day except Sunday, and it is a great place to soak up the atmosphere and meet the local people. You will find fresh local produce to sample including seasonal tropical fruits such as papaya and mango, along with staple root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, taro, yams and plantains. Handicrafts can be found on the far side of the market. Upstairs, on the first floor, there are more arts and crafts, including carvings and jewellery. The market opens from 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday and from 7am-4pm Saturday.

Good Samaritan Inn, phone 41022: Buffet and show every Friday evening by the beach at Kolovai, $30/per person. Pick-up from your accommodation can be arranged at Toni’s Guest House, phone 21049 or 27068, Top$10/person return trip.

International Dateline Hotel, phone 23411: Wednesday night buffet and show $30/person. Located on Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa.

Liku’alofa Beach, phone 41967: Buffet and show Wednesday and Friday at Kanokupolu, 21km from town. ‘Umu/barbecue on Sunday. $40/person.

‘Oholei Beach, phone 11783/78713: Buffet and show every Wednesday, Friday evening by the beach at Kanokupolu on the Western on the western side, $40/person.

Vakaloa, phone 41233/41234: Buffet and show every Friday evening by the beach at Kanokupolu on the western side, $40/person.

Keleti International Beach Resort, phone 29190: Every Thursday at 7pm live band concert, 8pm buffet dinner and floorshow.

Tonga National Cultural Centre, phone 23022 or 23520: Every Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Island buffet dinner, traditional floorshow & live band. Regular $35/person, VIP $65/person

Located just along the waterfront and just before the main wharf. View selections of local seashells and other kind of seafoods from the local seas of Tonga. Best time is early morning in the weekends or afternoon during week days.

Independent walker will find some interesting sights in southern ‘Eua, including the rockgarden cliffs, Liangahu’o ‘a Maui (a spectacular natural archway) and wild horses, while Ha’aluma Beach on the southern coast is great for a cooling swim.

Scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts love the variety and beauty of the Tongan coral reefs. All necessary equipment can be hired.

The best dive sites in Tonga are in the Ha'apai group and around the small islands off Tongatapu. Vava'u has some exciting cave diving sites. Swimming options are everywhere, as are the lovely sandy beaches.

‘Eua, located 11 km (7 miles) from Tongatapu, has a surfing beach of world class standard. Tonga surfing spots are the Ha'apai islands, the Vava'u islands, and Niutoua Beach on the main island.

The waters of Tonga offer excellent fishing opportunities. Plenty of game fish such as tuna, sailfish, marlin, and barracuda are available. There are ample charter boats.

The Vava'u group of islands offer the best sailing in the South Pacific. The deep waterways, and the harbour at Neiafu with its perfect anchorage and several charter yachts, draw many sailing lovers. It is the island of choice for many international yacht charter companies. The northern group of the Vava'u islands is especially popular. They are not difficult to navigate and are sprinkled with endless anchorages in picture perfect bays and isolated beaches.

Kayaking is popular in two regions of Tonga. The innumerable islands of the Vava'u group have wonderful exploring opportunities and are blessed with calm waters too. Visitors to the Ha'apai group love to hop around the islands, visiting isolated beaches here and there.

From June to November, humpback whales throng the waters of Tonga to mate and calf. Special speakers for whale watching in Tonga are fitted in to a hydrophone that is aboard the catamaran, Pheonix, based at Neiafu. The female whales do not sing.