Vava'u

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Vava’u is a group of more than 50 islands in Tonga, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Tongatapu. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of Neiafu (known as the Port of Refuge Harbour) is a common destination for yachties sailing the South Pacific. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity, it being said that you can see the bottom at 40 metres. The area attracts many humpback Whale watching|whales between June and November and there are lots of companies organising tours to see them. There are numerous places to stay, to suit most budgets.

Neiafu - Port of Refuge Harbor at Neiafu

Cafe Tropicana - Fatafehi Road next to Adventure Backpackers in the centre of Neiafu Opening Hours: 7.30am till late - Espresso Coffee, tropical fruit smoothies, all day breakfasts, and light meals. Alcohol licence. Famous for its Vava'u Brownies and Vanilla Coffee. Internet café and Wi-Fi. Book Swap, postcards, arts and crafts.

An introduction to Vava'u

Vavaʻu travel map - 600px|Vavaʻu travel map

Findings of Lapita pottery suggest that early Polynesians were on these islands close to 3000 years ago. These days there are around 20,000 people living in the Group. Neiafu and surrounding villages are home to about a third of the Group’s overall population of around 20,000, with the majority of the population living in small villages on the other islands. Neiafu is the official port of entry for yachts coming to Vava'u, which attracts over 500 yachts every winter sailing season between June and October. A string of islands and reefs along the eastern edge of the Group shelters the area from strong winds and ocean swells, and humpback whales come to these protected waters to give birth. This is the high season for tourism; between December and April few people visit and many tour companies and restaurants close down. Neiafu town is the centre of activity. It is on the southern point of the main island of 'Utu Vava'u and has an attractive setting on one of the world's most beautiful harbours. Neiafu offers all the usual amenities including banks, schools, tour companies, restaurants, cafes and bars, supermarkets, a market and a hospital. It doesn't have a beach, but boats to one of the nearby coral atolls with superb sandy beaches are easily available.

How is the Climate in Vava'u

Vava'u has a tropical climate with average temperatures up to 29ºC in January and down to 24ºC in June. It is sunny throughout the year. Between November and April, it is more humid and thunderstorms and cyclones do occur. From May to September there are southeast trade winds but during the summer months the winds are from the northeast.

Orientation

The main islands are:

'Utu Vava'u. This is the largest island, where Neiafu is found. It is a limestone island with heights up to 213 m in the west. The island provides a home to eleven indigenous bird species and contains Mt. Talau national park, with some of the limited remaining native vegetation. Tropical vegetation includes the pandanus or screw pine and the casuarina, and the mulberry tree and the bark of which is used to make tapa cloth.
Pangaimotu. This is the second largest island in the Group. It can be seen across the water from Neiafu and is connected by land bridge at the most southern point of ‘Utu Vava’u. There are some good beaches and plenty of secluded cove beaches and protected bays with good snorkelling. Avai'o'vuna Swamp is a small coastal wetland on the island.
Hunga Island. This is 35 minutes from Neiafu Harbour and provides the main concentration of humpback whales. The island lies in deep water and has sheltered waters and bays which provide a resting place for humpbacks with calves.

Get in

long= ☎ +676 59 057 | Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 - Aims to be 100% fresh, natural and local. VHF Ch16 “Giggling Whale”.

Mala Island - At Mala Island Resort (see below). Opening Hours: 20.00-late Pig roast on the beach on Sundays.

Mango Cafe - In front of Moorings Yacht Charters. Has a mango coloured roof. ☎ +676 70 664 A modern waterfront restaurant with a large deck over the water. Claims the best selection of in Vava’u. Modern very up-to-date food. As good as anywhere in the world for a waterside cafe.

Mounu Resort - On the beachfront of Mounu island. - Good restaurant and “Moby Dick’s“ café. VHF Ch77 Anchorage No. 41.
La Paella | Anchorage 11 ☎ +676 70 348 - T$70 for set menu of tapas, paella and dessert. - Spanish restaurant on Tapana Island, a ten minutes boat trip from ‘Utu Vava’u. VHF 11 “Tapana”.

Basque Tavern, located next to Saint Joseph's Gothic Church this restaurant/bar has both mouth-watering tapas and delicious main meals. The food can be bit on the pricy side, but is usually worth it (quality occasionally varies).
Panda, in the small marina between Dancing Rooster and Coconet. Lovingly referred to as "Cheap Chinese" by volunteers and missionaries, it's the best bang for your buck if you don't want to spend a lot of money. The quality is iffy, some days are better than others, but it is usually pretty good. You get more food if you order to stay (eat a bit and box the rest up for later).
Bella Vista, above Dancing Rooster across from the BSP ATM. Owned by a relocated Italian, Bella Vista boasts some of the best Italian food on the island and a stellar view. That being said, it's pricey especially for what you get.

Drink

Aquarium cafe, past the cathedral, it's got ambiance and where many expats, cruisers, and yachties go to get a taste of home. Has specialty mixed drinks that are pricey but very boozy.
Mango Cafe, next to Aquarium, has a good happy hour 4-5pm $4 organic juice & 5-6pm $5 soft drinks.
Bounty Bar, in the centre of Neiafu, overlooking the harbour. A variety of soft-drinks and shots, though the rum punch is not to be missed. Dancing after 8. During the on-season there is a free Fakaleiti Show on Wednesday nights and Pub Quizes on Thursdays.
Basque Tavern, has happy hour from 4-6PM with $5 cans of Carlsberg and $8 sangria (which is the best). Has a swimming swimmingpool table with no charge to play and karaoke on Fri/Sat nights.
Moteli, by the old harbor, is the only dedicated "night club" in Vava'u populated mostly by local residents. Usually has a $5 cover charge.

Muslim Friendly hotels in Vava'u

Vava’u Guest House | - ☎ +676 70300 - Price Single $15/$30, twin $40 Four fales close to Neiafu
Mala Island Resort | info1@ - 15 minutes from Neiafu - Dormitory T$25;Double T$60-125. Right on the beach of a 20-acre island.
Port Wine Guest House - Neiafu- T$15-50 Offers views of Neiafu and Neiafu harbor. Great for families and individuals looking for group or budget travels. Backpackers welcome.
Tapana Island Resort - Double T$60-80. Two fales on the beach. For contacts see La Paella restaurant, above.

Basque Tavern, three separate rooms above the bar, one ensuite and two bedrooms that share a bathroom. Check in at the café. Has hot water and a washing machine. Kept clean. T$80 a night.

Lucky's Beach Houses - Talihau ☎ +676 873-3347 Checkin - 1PM / Check-out: 11AM Price Range from a Fale room at T$90 to a fully self-contained cottage at T$185 - Great beachfront property with snorkeling, kayaking, GT Fishing and a private beach. Special rates during the summer months. Opening Hours: | phoneextra=+676 872-7904

Puataukanave International Hotel | or - ☎ +676 71002, +676 71004, +676 71006 - six “backpacker” rooms (T$50 double) up to deluxe rooms at T$270 36 rooms catering to most budgets. On the edge of the harbor.
Hilltop Hotel - This is on the highest point of Neiafu.- T$130-150 for a double There are eight rooms, four of which overlook the harbour.
Twin View Motel | - ☎ +676 70597 US$55-90 for a double On a hill overlooking the harbour.
Vava’u Villa | - A few minutes outside Neiafu. ☎ +676 71 010 - T$150-180 double Newly opened bed and breakfast. Boats available for hire.

Luxury

Vava’u Harbourview Resort - on the shores of Port of Refuge Harbour, 2 km from Neiafu- T$180 for a double Large tropical garden. Private jetty, for swimming and boat landing for whale watching, etc. Tennis court. Bicycle/scooter hire can be arranged.
Blue Lagoon Resort - Foiata Island ☎ +676 843-6300, +676 888-8798 - From T$360 to T460 per day - Eight fales on the beach. Eco-friendly accommodation.
Tongan Beach Resort - on 'Utungake island ☎ +676 70380 - T$250 per fale per day Twelve fales on the beach. Free Wifi.
Mystic Sands Beach - on 'Utungake ☎ +676 88 88 830 - T$250+ per fale per day - Wifi.

Connect

In Tonga, Wi-Fi hotspots are the typical way of getting online.

There are a couple of Internet cafés on the Vava’u islands. Places where you can get connected include Aquarium Cafe (T$6 1 hour/T$8 2 hours), Cafe Tropicana (T$6 an hour), Mango Cafe (free as long as you're eating/drinking but slow internet), Basque (free as long as you're eating/drinking) and Bella Vista (first 30 minutes free). Accommodations advertise Wi-Fi Internet availability. However, connection is slow and if there's more than a few people online don't expect to download anything large.

Respect

Tonga is a very conservative Christian country: Sunday is strongly revered and the vast majority of the population will attend religious services, very few shops will be open and there is very little to do. Flights do not operate on Sundays and tourist services may not be available. Try taking the time to attend a church service (6AM or 9:30/10AM). The singing can be beautiful.

Men should avoid going around topless other than on the beach, or you could be arrested. Dressing conservatively is always best, keeping from your shoulders to knees covered (for both genders) is a good rule of thumb. While Tongans are adopting westernized clothing styles, skirts above the knee are still frowned upon. If you insist on shorts/skirts above the knee wrap a lavalava (Tongan sarong) around your waist to cover yourself in public spaces.

Go next

To really get away from it all head to Niuas|Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou, which are the northernmost islands of the Tonga group. They are reachable by weekly Flights from Vava’u.

Niuatoputapu is 240 km north of Vava’u and has 18 km² with a population of around 1,400. Tradition is still important here with conservative ways of dressing and behaviour. It has beautiful white beaches, particularly on the north-west side of the island. Niuatoputapu was severely damaged by the September 2009 tsunami that also devastated southern Upolu in Samoa.
Niuafo’ou is the northernmost island of Tonga. Other names for the island are Good Hope island and Tin Can island. The latter originated from the fact that in earlier times mail was delivered and picked up by strong swimmers who would retrieve packages sealed up in a biscuit tin and thrown overboard from passing ships. Stamps from that time have become a collector’s item. It is the tip of an underwater volcano created by sub-oceanic eruptions. The last eruption was in 1946, after which the whole island was evacuated for ten years. Fields of lava are still evident. The island ring encloses two lakes.