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Tongatapu Travel Guide
Tonga Islands
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tongatapu pictures map
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Tongatapu is the main island in Tonga. It's a large yet flat coral island, over 250 sq. km in size and uplifted on its southern side with almost 20 metre high coastal cliffs. Tongatapu has several nice beaches, wild coastal scenery and some of the most extensive archaeological sites in Polynesia.
Whist the main island of Tongatapu has some lovely scenic attractions and historical sites, the most appealing tourist attraction is the wonderful collection of 20 coral islands off the north coast and within the main lagoon.
These islands are very similar to the very popular Mamanuca Group in Fiji but far less commercial - in fact, the majority of islands remain entirely uninhabited and only three have accommodation: Fafa Island Resort; and Pangaimotu Island Resort. are thge pick of the bunch with a small resort also on Atata Island which has the groups only fishing village. Both Fafa and Pangaimotu ahave gorgous white sand beaches with good snorkelling offshore; Pangaimotu is the smallest and is entirely circled by a sandy beach taking about half an hour to walk around; Fafa Island offers the highest standard of accommodation in Tonga but is still very reasonably priced. Both islands can be visited on a day trip for about T$30 including lunch.
Boat trips to the uninhabited coral islands and to the stunning sand bank location off Nuku Island (location of the original UK Shipwrecked television series), can be arranged from Nuku'alofa or from Fafa Island Resort and cost about T$150 for the boat for four hours. These islands are not to be missed and snorkelling too is good.
Nothing better epitomises life in Tonga than its empty roads - the maximum speed limit is just 40km, slower through villages, and no-one is in a rush to go anywhere.
The capital Nuku'alofa on the north shore of the island is the main centre with half the islands population. The majority of hotels and guest houses on Tongatapu are based in or around town...
... more on Nuku'alofa Town
Outside of Nuku'alofa, the flat land is almost entirely covered in plantations. A confusing patchwork of roads criss cross the entire island with small villages and plantations strung out along the roadside but in few places are there coastal views.
The eastern half of Tongatapu is less developed with miles of deserted white sandy beaches, limestone coves and deep caves along its coast. The ancient settlement of Lapaha is scattered in relics - large royal tombs (langi) shaped like a elongated pyramid line the road. On the northern tip of the island is the impressive trilithon of Ha'amonga 'a Maui believed to have been erected in the 13th century.
The southern coastline is more wild. At Hufangalupe there's a lovely coastal walk along high sea cliffs with an impressive natural coral bridge you can walk over. Another attractive coastal walk is from the Tongan Wildlife Centre (small bird park and botanical garden), half way along the south coast. The coastline here is uplifted with sharp jagged rocks and are lots of small white sand cove beaches between. The surf crashes in places just metres off shore making swimming dangerous but several natural swimming pools are good for a refreshing dip. Still further west, at the village of Houma, are the hugely impressive blowholes. Come at high tide on a windy day and walk along the coastal path to see a long succession of blowholes. There are almost 100 in all, the largest plumes reaching up to 30 metres high.
At the western tip of the island at the village of Kolovai, large casurina trees line the road for almost a kilometre. At dusk, these trees are alive with flying foxes. Beyond Kolovai, are two lovely beaches, Masi'ata and Ha'atafa. Both are of slightly coarse white sand and stretch for more than a kilometre and there a several small budget beach resorts. Snorkelling is good off Ha'atafu and there's also good surfing offshore.
The north coat of Tongatapu is featureless, the beaches being muddy and full of pigs at low tide, fishing in the tidal pools and scouring for crabs. Most of the coast is in fact inaccessible by road and the villages are all set alongside the inland road.
search for ... Tongatapu Accommodation
find ... Tonga Tour Companies
continue to ... Haapai Islands
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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