Ha'apai
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Get in
By plane
International flights arrive on Tongatapu.There are daily flights by REALtonga, Tonga's Domestic Airline to Ha'apai and a link to / from Vava'u a couple of times a week.
Flight time Tongatapu - Ha'apai is about 30 minutes.
By ferry
The MV Outuanga'ofa travels once a week from Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu to Pangai, usually departing on Monday and arriving on Tuesday. It makes a return journey to Nuku’alofa on Wednesday evening.Get around
- Rent a bicycle. These can be rented at Mariner's Cafe, Fins 'n' Flukes, Fifita's and Lindsay's guest houses.
See
- Rev. Shirley Baker grave. The Reverend Shirley Baker went to Tonga in 1860 as a Wesleyan missionary and eventually ended up as Prime Minister. His grave is on Pangai.
- Lotofoa Methodist Church has a beautifully carved coconut wood ceiling.
- Ancient Petroglyphs have recently been discovered at the northern end of Foa Island.
- Uiha Island. Southwest of Pangai, and just a short boat ride. The island was once the site of the royal burial grounds and has the remains of burial pyramids.
- Volcanic islands. Hire a boat to go to Tofua volcanic island. A steep one hour climb leads to great views of the crater and nearby Kao island. This cannot be done in a day, requires serious planning and is expensive.
- Poseidons Gate stand on the great rock terraces on the east side of Lifuka Island.
Do
- Just relax. Take a walk around the sleepy capital of Lifuka on Pangai Island to savour the slow pace of life.
- Snorkelling and diving.PADI-accredited diving is offered by Fins n Flukes, who are based on Pangai. Ha'apai has some huge sea caves, tunnels, drop-offs, walls, bommies and coral gardens.
- Hire a boat for a day from one of the dive schools and explore some of the many small islands in the Ha’apai group.
- Whale watching. Humpback whales migrate to Tonga every year. They arrive in Ha’apai around July and stay to early November. The sound of their singing can be heard in the water and you may even be lucky to be diving as one of these giants cruises past. But even if you are not a diver the two dive centers and Ha'apai Whale and Sail(Mariner's Cafe) organize whale-watching trips.
- Kayaking. Sit on top and sea kayaks are available from Fins 'n' Flukes.
- Camping. Camping gear is available from Fins 'n' Flukes.
- Island Trips. Fins 'n' Flukes offer island trips to Luahoko, Kau Vai (Ha'ano), Uoleva, Tatafa, Uiha, Tofanga, Uanuku'ha'hake, Luangahu, Hakau'ata, Lofanga, Nuku'pule and Meama.
Eat
Mariner's Cafe - central Pangai. Wide selection of tasty meals including home-made pasta, pizza, burgers, fish and daily specials. Ice cold alcoholic beverages available.Mariner's is THE meeting place for travellers and can provide tourist information. Also has bikes and snorkelling gear for hire.
Talahiva Tongan Cafe - behind the petrol station in Pangai, T$5 for very big portions of BBQ, KFC and Curry. Langi Langi guesthouse lobster feast, $T30 for more than you could possibly eat - advance booking required.
Talahiva Tongan Cafe - behind the petrol station in Pangai, T$5 for very big portions of BBQ, KFC and Curry. Langi Langi guesthouse lobster feast, $T30 for more than you could possibly eat - advance booking required.
Drink
-
Mariner's Cafe
address: PangaiBar and cafe
Sleep
There is a range of accommodation on the Ha'apai islands, from budget to luxurious. Note that payment in cash is usually preferred and some of the smaller places do not accept credit cards.
Budget
-
Evaloni Guest House
phone: +676 60029Six rooms. -
Fifita's Guest House
phone: +676 60213Nine rooms in the center of town. Bicycles can be rented here. -
Lindsay's Guest House
phone: +676 60107Ha'apai's largest guest house, with 12 rooms. -
Diana's Resort
phone: +676 7313549address: UolevaSimple luxury on the best beach in Ha'apai.
Mid-range
Matafonua LodgeTen fales by the sea. With diving and whale watching available on site
Serenity BeachFive octagonal ocean-front fales on this otherwise deserted island that can be reached on foot from Pangai at low tide (this crossing is potentially dangerous).
Splurge
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phone: +676 69600German-run resort with twelve large, comfortable bungalows right on the beach. Each bungalow has a verandah overlooking the sea. Provides the base for Ocean Blue Diving and can also offer kayakking, horseback riding and boat trips to "meet the whales".
Villa MamanaThe Villa is designed to host only one party at a time with a maximum of four persons.