Tonga Things to Do

Blowholes

by Jim_Eliason

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Blowholes
by Jim_Eliason
Blowholes
by Jim_Eliason
Blowholes
by Jim_Eliason
Blowholes
by Jim_Eliason
Blowholes
by Jim_Eliason

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Pangaimotu Island

by pure1942

The lagoon to the north of the main island of Tongatapu is filled with small idyllic little islands and some can be visited either by small water taxis or kayak. Pangaimotu is one of the most popular islands to visit on a daytrip or you can also stay overnight in a fale. We booked a night on the island through Friends Cafe in Nuku’alofa and as far as I can remember paid around $70 for boat transfers and a nights accommodation. Pangaimotu’s bar/restaurant and accommodation gets mixed reviews from visitors and is something which I have addressed in the restaurant/accommodation tips. Here I am just concentrating on Pangaimotu as a ‘Thing To Do’ and as an idyllic Pacific island, Pangaimotu ticks the boxes. We really enjoyed our stay on the island especially when the day trippers left and we had this whole beautiful island to ourselves. It’s a pleasant 40 minute walk around the island where...

Ha'atafu Beach

by pure1942

Another beautiful beach to lounge about for a few hours is Ha'atafu Beach located at the tip of the far western peninsula on Tongatapu. For me, this beach wasn’t as picturesque as Keleti but the tide doesn’t play as much of a part in the swimming conditions as it does at Keleti. You can swim here all day because the lagoon is filled more permanently than it is at Keleti. The waters here are shallow and warm but the snorkelling is not as good as it is a t Keleti but Ha'atafu does have a much longer stretch of sand than Keleti and is much more popular with locals. The beach is shaded by a row of palm trees.

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon

by pure1942

The Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon is one the south Pacific’s most important sites and is located in the north east of Tongatapu. Constructed of three huge limestone slabs and standing at 5 metres tall the Trilithon is one of Tonga’s most famous archaeological sites. Ha’amonga ‘a Maui means ‘Maui’s Burden’ in the Tongan language, Maui being the mythological Polynesian god, who according to legend fished the Kingdom of Tonga from the sea.The trilithon was built at the beginning of the 13th century by Tu’itatui, the 11th king or Tu’i Tonga. There are various theories regarding the purpose of the trilithon’s construction but most believe it was built as the gateway to Tu’itatui’s royal capital at Heketa. The royal capital had previously been at Toloa but was relocated to Heketa by the 10th Tu’i Tonga, Momo, Tu’itatui’s father.Another theory states that the trilithon was built as a symbol of...

Blowholes

by pure1942

Tongatapu is justifiably famous for its blowholes which are strung along the southern coast of the island. The most popular place to see this natural phenomenon is near the village of Houma, about 15km from Nuku’alofa, but there are many places along the coast where you can witness this spectacular sight. At the Mapu’a ‘a Vaca blowholes at Houma you have a high vantage point from which to view the blowholes. At Houma, there is a tiered cliff, which makes it an ideal spot to see the blowholes. You can stand on the top tier and watch the blow holes erupt from the second tier below as the waves crash into the cliff at sea level.Tongatapu is ringed by a protective barrier reef which is especially prevalent on the exposed southern side. The volcanic rock which forms this protective barrier has been eroded by the force of the sea and formed narrow tunnels. As the powerful waves hit the...

Keleti Beach

by pure1942

One of Tongatapu’s most beautiful beaches is Keleti oin the southern coast of the island. There are three small beaches backed by cliffs leading up to the small Keleti Resort where you can purchase a reasonably priced lunch, snacks and drinks.The beach itself is spotlessly clean with spectacularly white sand. The beaches lead into a turquoise lagoon where you can swim and snorkel. You need to time your visit to Keleti to coincide with high tide as when the tide is out, there is only water left in the cracks and caverns of the volcanic rock bed of the lagoon. However these cracks and caverns are great fun to snorkel through! With a half day at Keleti you should be able to snorkel in the caverns and later, as the water fills the lagoon, you will be able to swim fully. As the tide starts to come in you can watch the waves crash over the barrier reef, which protects the beaches. This is a...

Royal Palace

by pure1942

Located on the seafront in Nuku’alofa, the Royal Palace was built in 1867 and is constructed of wood. Although not what you might for the official residence of a king, the palace is a pleasant looking building with white walls and red roof and is traditionally held in high esteem by Tongans who regarded it as a sacred place. Today the King does not live at the palace preferring the more opulent surroundings of his large estate and modern residence located just outside the town. Truth be told, the palace has been largely unused and uninhabited since the early 90s but renovations are under way at present and plans are afoot to reopen the palace for certain royal functions and a wing is being set aside to house the national archive. The Palace is not open to the public, but you can easily see the Palace through the fencing around it.

Nuku’alofa

by pure1942

As capital of the Kingdom of Tonga, Nuku’alofa is the first port of call for most visitors to Tonga. As a capital you would be forgiven for thinking that there would be plenty to do here but in reality what can be done, can be done in a few hours. The centre of the town has a few shops, a local market selling crafts and fruit & veg and a few tourist orientated cafes and restaurants. The Royal Palace, Parliament Building and a few colonial style houses are also located close to the centre of town and there are a few modern churches scattered here and there. Apart from that there’s not much else to Nuku’alofa and that in itself is the pleasing aspect of a stroll around town. This is a town for local Tongan people and as a visitor it is a place to people watch and soak up Tongan daily life. When in Rome do as the Romans do...when in Nuku’alofa, do as the Nuku’alofans do...nothing :)It is...

Tongan National Cultural Center

by passingshadows

This is a must-visit place if you'd like to learn more about Tongan culture and food. There is a guided tour and demonstration of cultural dancing, arts and crafts. It was great to watch traditional Tongan singing and dancing and learning how to make some traditional baskets and jewelry. The tour ends with a Tongan feast which included a kava drinking ceremony. Kava is good to try for the experience, but it does taste little bitter and leaves a small after-taste...The buffet dinner was delicious and included roasted suckling pork, seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, taro and rice. Hmm...I'm hungry again just remembering it! hehe.

Boat trip to Pangaimotu

by easterntrekker

We had a wonderful day on the little island of Pangaimotu . You can buy your ticket at the visitor center in town the day before . Its a great outing for the day and the price is right.We piled on to a wooden boat with a few other sightseeers and cruised over to the island in about 40 minutes or so. Lifejackets aren't the norm here and being boaters ourselves at home , that was a bit unnerving ...but oh well !Cost there is T$35 (US$18), including transfers and lunch.

A walking tour

by easterntrekker

Nuku'alfa is a nice town to walk around on your own . There is the Royal palace , the treasury , the market and the supermarket . We saw the school and the children whose uniform is traditional and there was a giant tree in the main square called " the rain tree".

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Reviews and photos of Tonga attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tonga sightseeing.

Questions and Answers

Q: Hi all, After a week in Ha'apai, we have a 1-day layover in Nuku'alofa before catching an early morning flight to New Zealand....

A: I thought I might have something to add, but the above has it pretty well covered. Toni's place as basic but adequate, and the good thing is, they will wake you and get...

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Pangaimotu Island

Ha'atafu Beach

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon

Blowholes

Keleti Beach

Royal Palace

Nuku’alofa

Tongan National Cultural Center

Boat trip to Pangaimotu

A walking tour

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