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 The
remote Niuas (meaning rich in coconuts) consist of 3 small volcanic
islands; Niuatoputapu,
Niuafo'ou and Tafahi.
Because the Niuas have very little tourism, Tongan tradition
remains very much alive and life has changed very little throughout
the years. Airline service is currently suspended to the northern
group islands. There is ferry service to the Niuas with approximately
6 sailings per year. Visiters who make the effort to visit the
Niuas are rewarded with a true cultural experience, magnificent
scenery, and beautiful beaches.
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 NIUATOPUTAPU
ISLAND located 516 km north of Tongatapu and approximately
18 sq km in size and has a population of 1,283. It takes about 8 hours to walk
around the island. It is surrounded by beautiful beaches, small coastal fishing
villages with elaborate churches. The island is ideal for walking and wherever
you wander on the island you will be greeted with a smile and all the children
will want to know your name. There is choice of accommodation on the island. Palm
Tree Resort located on a beautiful white sand beach or Kaloline's Guesthouse located
in Hihifo Towne. |
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Tafahi
Island looks much like Bali Hai when
viewed from Niuatoputapu. It lies 9km off the north coast of Niuatoputapu and
is an extinct volcanic cone 656m high, with a base area of 3.42 sq km. You can
climb the volcanic cone in a day and hike around the barren lava flows. The hike
is a difficult one and strictly for the adventurer. There is a small village with
approximately 100 inhabitants. There is no accommodation on Tafahi so your journey
will first begin with a visit to Niuatoputapu.
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 Niuafo'ou
Island lies 640km north of Tongatapu and is the most remote island
in Tonga with a population of 735. This island also known as Tin Can Island because
of its unusual postal service. Since there was no anchorage or landing site on
the island, mail and supplies for residents were sealed up in a biscuit tin and
tossed overboard from a passing supply ship. Strong swimmers would retrieve the
packages. Outbound mail was tied to the end of long sticks and swimmers would
carry them, balanced overhead, out to the waiting ship.Today the harbour still
has no anchorage and no wharf. Ships stop about 150m offshore and the crew drops
two lines into the water, which are retrieved by swimmers and carried to the cement
platform that serves as the landing site. Passengers, luggage and cargo are literally
dropped or thrown into a wooden dory and ferried ashore, where the local islanders
assist them out of the rolling and pitching craft and deposit them on a platform.
Returning craft are filled with copra, oil drums, pens of squealing pigs, sacks
of taro, yams, bananas and passengers and the boats are maneuvered through the
surf back to the ship.
This adventure begins your visit to Niuafo'ou. You will then meet the local islanders,
explore the island and visit the beautiful lakes and experience true Tongan hospitality. |
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