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Welcome to
the Kingdom of Tonga
Accommodation
Tangatapu,
Island Day Tours from Tongatapu, Game
Fishing, Diving,
Whale
Watching, Sailing, |
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The
Island of Tongatapu is your international gateway and your
first point of entry into Tonga. The island is the administrative
centre for government and culture. Nuku'alofa, its capital,
is a seaside town with a population of some 22,000 people.
It houses the seat of government and is home to the royal
family.
Nuku'alofa is also Tonga's industrial and business centre and
therefore not known for its tourist attractions. It is recommended
to spend a day or two on Tongatapu Island and then continue
on to the more scenic and interesting outer islands. There are
3 off-shore coral islands of Fafa, Atata,
and Pangaimotu and are all reached
from the main wharf at Nuku'alofa and all have white sandy beaches,
beautiful swimming, snorkelling and diving. They are well worth
a visit or a day tour if you have limited time.Go
to Island Day Tours. The island of
Eua has spectactular cliffs, dense forest and cave diving
and can be reached by either ferry or by air service from Tongatapu.
Day tours to Eua Island operate during some parts of the year. |
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click on the lense to enlarge the map
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 Tongatapu,
the largest island in the Kingdom is relatively flat, constitutes
one third of the land mass and one third of the population of
the Kingdom. Western Tongatapu features Keleti Beach which is
a series of coves divided by rocky outcrops. The reef consists
of a line of terraces and blowholes that shoot like Yellowstone
geysers when the waves hit them at high tide. Also located on
Western Tongatapu is the Tongan Wildlife Centre and Bird Park
located near the south coast. This centre was established in
1990 to promote conservation awareness. You can view the red
shining parrot of Eua, the Niuafo'ou megapode, the blue crowned
lorikeet, the friendly ground dove as well as the banded iguana.
The park is set in a tropical garden containing examples of
many medicinal plants and food crops grown in Tonga. The Mapu'a'a
Vaca blowholes stretch for 5km along the south shore of Tongatapu,
near the village of Houma. They are best viewed on a windy day
with a strong swell, when water forced up through natural vents
in the limestone, can shoot 30m into the air. On a good day
hundreds of them will be active at once and is a spectacular
sight. The Western Beaches of Ha'atafu, Kolovai and Monotapu
were strongly affected by the major cyclone last year and many
of the resorts are currently re-building. The beaches in these
area feature white sand, however swimming is limited due to
the coral reefs. The best swimming is found on the off-shore
islands (Fafa, Atata and Pangaimotu). |
| Kolovai
is the home of the flying foxes. You can view a number of
these large, noisy, fruit-eating bats roosting in the odd
tree in the village. At the extreme-north west of the island
is the monument marking the landing site of Abel Tasman. Ha'atafu
Beach is known for its surfing and is home to Tonga Surfriders
Association. All surfspots break over coral reefs, some are
dangerously shallow and for this reason surfers need to possess
intermediate to advanced skill levels to surf this area. |
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| Eastern Tongatapu features Captain
Cook's landing site near Holonga village and the Mu'a and Lapaha
Archaeological Site which contain the richest concentration
of archaeological remnants in Tonga. Around the area of Mu'a
there are 28 royal stone tombs. These langi, or pyramidal stone
tombs, constructed in ancient Tonga were traditionally used
strictly for the burial of royalty. You can also view Tonga's
most imposing ancient burial site, the Paepae 'o Tele'a, a monumental
pyramid like stone structure. |
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Tongatapu also features the mysterious Ha'amonga, one of Polynesia's
most intriguing monuments. Archaeologists credit its construction
to the 11th Tu'i Tonga Tu'itatui who reigned at the turn of
the 13th century. The structure consists of three large coralline
stones, each weighing about 40 tonnes, arranged into a trilithic
gate, Stonehenge style. The Ha'amonga Trilithon is preserved
in a 23-hectare National Historic Reserve.
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 Nuku'alofa
the capital of Tongatapu is an industrial and business centre
and also the gateway to visit the local islands of Atata,
Fafa and Pangaimotu
and Eua. The city features a surprising
number of excellent restaurants with the Seaside, Lunarossa
and Little Italy all winning restaurant awards. There is also
a variety of accommodation in
the city of Nuku'alofa, on the off shore islands of Atata, Fafa
and Pangaimotu and the beachside resorts on the Western side
of the island.
Click
here for larger map
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Highlights of the city
include a visit to the Royal Palace which is located on the
waterfront and has become a symbol of Tonga to the world. The
Royal Palace where the King lives, is a gingerbead house, gables,
scalloped eaves and white frame buildings with bright red roofs.
The Palace is surrounded by Norfolk pines and is truly a unforgetable
sight. |
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| The Royal Palace, Nuku'alofa |
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| A visit to the local market place, Talamahu Market,
is a must for any visitor. Downstairs is a selection of local
fruits and vegetables. Upstairs are a number of stalls selling
some excellent Tongan art and craft, including carvings, tapa
and pandanus mats, carved fishing lures and shell belts. |
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The
Tongan National Centre approximately 2km south of Nuku'alofa
towne houses the cultural centre's museum and has an interesting
display of historical artefacts, including war clubs, headrests,
bark cloth and kava bowls.The
ta'ovala is the distinctive Tongan trational skirt. Made of
a finely woven pandanus-leaf mat, it is worn around the waist.
The men secure it with a coconut fiber cord, while the women
wear a kiekie waistband. The sight of a group of Tongan women
on the road, each with a huge mat tied around them is truly
striking. Worn especially on formal occassions, these mats
are often prized heirlooms.
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| Traditional Tongan Evening held at the Tongan National Centre
every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, features a traditional
island buffet. The evening starts with a Kava Ceremony, followed
by an all you can eat Tongan Feast and an excellent show of
traditional song and dances. TOP $25.00 per person.
The
Heilala Festival, a week long celebration, is held during
the month of July, in Nuku'alofa each year. It features parades,
workshops, fashion shows, a beauty pageant, music, arts, sports
competitions and Tongan Feasts. The celebration is centered
around the Kings Birthday, the 4th of July.
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The Sabbath is sacred on all of Tonga Island Groups. A key
clause in the constitution prohibits any type of work or playing
of games including football, tennis, golf or bowls or any
type of dancing on Sunday. As a result there are no restaurants
open, other than those attached to a hotel or motel and also
no public transportation available on Sunday. Tourists should
be advised to avoid Tongatapu on a Sunday, however, if you
are unable to avoid a Sunday stopover, church goers will be
rewarded with a real cultural experience. The music and singing
are outstanding. Other options are to take a day tour to Fafa,
Atata, or Pangaimotu. See the section on Day
Tours |
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| Nuku'alofa City Tour |
Visit the Royal Palace,
Talamahu Market and Langafonua Women's Handicraft Centre
Depart: 10am Daily except Sun: Duration: 2 hours |
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Adult US
$18.00: Child (2-11) $11.00 |
| Western Island Tour |
Visit the Royal Palace, The Royal Tomb, majestic blowholes
and Kolovai village of the
Flying Foxes.
Depart 10am Daily except Sun: Duration 3 hours |
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Adult US $18.00: Child (2-11)
$11.00 |
| Eastern Island Tour |
Visit Captain Cook's Landing Place, the Ancient Langi
and the Ha'amonga Trilithon
Depart: 10am Daily except Sun: Duration 3 hours |
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Adult US $28.00: Child (2-11)
$17.00 |
| Circle Island Tour |
This tour includes both the Western Island Tour and
the Eastern Island tour in a complete 5 hour circle island
tour
Depart 10am Daily except Sat/Sun: Duration 5 hours |
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Adult NZ $45.00: Child (2-11)
$22.50 |
| Cultural Tour |
Visit the Royal Palace, the Royal Tombs, majestic blowholes,
Kolovai, village of the Flying Foxes and the Tongan National
Centre.
Depart 10am Daily except Sat/Sun: Duration 5 hours |
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Adult US $28.00: Child (2-11)
$14.00 |
| Island Feast & Show |
Experience an island style buffet and traditional Tongan
Dancing and Singing at either the Good Samaritann Inn
or Nawai Ali'i Beach Resort located on the Western beachfront
approximately 20 minutes from Nuku'alofa. Prince includes
dinner and show.
Depart 6pm Friday Evening: Duration 3 hours |
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Adult US $28.00: Child (2-11)
$14.00 |
Note: All the
above tours may be booked by Jetsave Taufonua Travel. Please
advise when making your accommodation booking which tours you
would like to include. Rates apply for a minimum of 2 persons.
There may be a surcharge for 1 person on some programmes.
[Go to Reservations] |
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