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Tonga Backpackers Guide
Click RED links for our recommended accommodation: Tonga Resort Listings
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South Pacific Backpacking
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Tonga backpacking is very low key and there are some truly beautiful places to kick back and explore. Tongatapu, the main island, is a convenient base to and from exploring the other islands. The best beach on the main island is at Hatafu, 30-minutes from Nukualofa on the west tip of the island where one of Tonga's premier backpackers, Otuhaka Beach Resort is located. This is a great spot to relax, snorkel and surf but not as practical as staying in or near Nukualofa where restaurants, internet cafes and shops are at hand. For those preferring to stay in Nukualofa, the best option is Moana Beach House which offers simple rooms in the family house a 15-minute pleasant walk along the coast from downtown, or Heilala Lodge set in a suburban village about a 20-minutes walk to downtown.
An alternative is staying ofshore at the unreliable Pangaimotu Island Resort, a lovely coral island fringed by a white sandy beach, coconut palms and with reasonable snorkelling. The 20-minute boat ride to the island departs every hour from the main wharf in Nukualofa and is available to day-trippers.
If you are after a really laid back beach holiday and want to meet the local people in a traditional setting, then the Ha'apai Group is undoubtedly the best destination. Several small guesthouses operate on the island of Lifuka which is small enough to cycle around in a day. There are few tourists here, no organised tours, no buses, not even motorcycle hire (but plenty of push bikes), and just a couple of restaurants and local shops. Lifuka is a really gentle island with loads of friendly locals all wanting to talk and practice their English. If you stay more than a few days you'll more than likely be invited to some local function or other - the local dance, a feast or whatever else might be happening around the island. The beaches on Lifuka are nice - sandy and palm fringed but the west coast around the main village of Pangai has a shallow coral reef making swimming and snorkelling impractical. The best swimming and snorkelling beaches are on the southern point and east coast. It's possible to visit other islands nearby by finding a boat ride with the local villages who come to Pangai for their shopping or hiring a water taxi for the day to explore the islands. There is no official accommodation on the other islands in Ha'apai and camping is prohibited.
If you are the more active type and like some nightlife, kayaking and hiking or whale watching and sailing tours, then the Vava'u Group is your destination. Vava'u is a limestone island with lots of causeways making it a haven for yachts and whales alike. Both visit between May and October, keeping away from the rough seas and winds that may strike in the hurricane season. The main town of Neiafu is the place to stay, with several cheap guesthouses and the efficient Adventure Backpackers who can organize tours, yacht charters and rent our bicycles. There are plenty good restaurants and lively bars around Neiafu, with live bands and dancing shows.
Tonga Backpackers Resort Listings
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