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Tonga is one of the least-visited countries in the world. This small country in Oceania is comprised of a main island, Tongatapu, and 175 smaller islands. Due to the lack of a strong tourism industry in Tonga, it can be pretty expensive to visit. In fact, getting around the island of Tongatapu, despite its relatively small size, can be pricey for backpackers. Luckily, renting a bicycle in Tonga is an easy and cost-effective way to get around!
In this guide, we will discuss how to rent a bicycle, the best attractions to visit, and tips for traveling around Tonga!
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Where is Tonga?
The Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation in the South Pacific. It is located east of Fiji, south of Samoa, and north of New Zealand.
How to Get to Tonga
Most international flights to Tonga fly into Fua’amotu International Airport. If you look at flights to Tonga from most places in the world, you will see that flights often cost thousands of dollars!
The cheapest way to fly to Tonga is to first fly to either Sydney (Australia), Nadi (Fiji), or Auckland (New Zealand). These cities offer direct flights to Tonga.
I flew from Fiji to Tonga for about $150 USD.
Getting From Fua'amotu Airport to Nuku'alofa
Taxi to Nuku'alofa
The most common way to get to Nuku’alofa from the airport is by taxi. There are no buses or ridesharing services available. The normal price for a taxi is between 30-50 TOP ($12-21 USD in 2023, see current rates here).
There will be plenty of drivers waiting outside the aiport. If they are asking for too much money, ask for a better price. If they refuse, you can find another driver to take you for less.
Transport Arranged Via Hotel
Many hotels offer transportation to and from the airport. Just make sure to schedule this service in advance. I booked my hotel last minute, so I was not aware of this service. Don’t be like me – plan ahead!
Tour Services
If you want to have transportation waiting for you, you can book an airport transfer tour on Viator. These tours cost the same as most taxis, so it will help to make your transfer go more smoothly.
Renting a Bicycle in Nuku'alofa
There is only one place in Tonga where you can rent bicycles! You will have to check out ANT Bicycles Tonga. This rental shop is located just a few blocks away from the Royal Palace, right in the heart of Nuku’alofa.
The owners are very flexible with their hours. If you contact them ahead of time, you can start your bicycle rental around 7 or 7:30 AM. They also let you drop it off late, around 8 or 9 PM.
All bicycle rentals include a helmet, a bicycle lock, and a map of Tonga which shows the main attractions to visit.
What to See in Tonga
Many of the top attractions in Tongatapu are located on the west coast of the island. If you are only renting a bike for one day, I recommend bicycling along the west coast. Here are the best things to see while bicycling around Tongatapu.
Abel Tasman's Landing Site
Abel Tasman was a Dutch explorer in the 1600s who sailed to Tasmania, New Zealand, and even Mauritius. He also sailed by Tongatapu, making him the first European explorer to see it.
Today, there is a small memorial to this event on the northern peninsula of Tongatapu. While the memorial is not very exciting, it is in a very beautiful area.
You will have to bike through small villages and private beach resorts in order to reach Abel Tasman’s Landing Site. But you will be rewarded with amazing views of the ocean and nearby Atata Island.
Monotapu Beach
As you bike down the western coast of Tongatapu, you will see several unpaved roads leading off toward the ocean. I decided to take one and ended up in Monotapu Beach. This beach had beautiful blue water, and was surrounded by coconut and banana trees. It looked like nobody had been to this beach in days, maybe even weeks.
If you are renting a bicycle in Tonga, I highly recommend you visit one of the secluded beaches along Tongatapu’s west coast.
Tsunami Rock
One of the most interesting sites in Tonga was the Tsunami Rock. This 1,600 metric ton rock was ripped from the nearby coral reef by a powerful tsunami thousands of years ago. There are several Tongan legends of how this rock came to be in this location. If you are agile enough, it is possible to climb on top of this rock and see the nearby Monotapu Beach.
Mapu'a Vaea Blowholes
The Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes are one of Tonga’s most famous attractions. These blowholes are formed by a series of interconnected underwater caves and channels, and when the waves force water into these caverns, it shoots through openings in the coral limestone. Each time that waves crash into the rock, water can be seen shooting up into the air. It also makes a distinctive whistling sound.
3 Headed Coconut
I stumbled upon this on my way back to Nuku’alofa. A few kilometers from the Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes lies the 3 Headed Coconut. This tall palm tree stands alone in a field by the road. As the name suggests, it has 3 “heads” due to the trunk splitting twice near the top. This is extremely rare, and locals claim that this is the only tree of its kind in the world!
Royal Palace
As you head back into Nuku’alofa, make sure you check out the Royal Palace. This serves as the official residence of the reigning monarch of Tonga. It is an iconic symbol of the monarchy and holds historical significance. If you are friendly to the palace guards, they may even let you through to take a photo!
Royal Tombs
The Royal Tombs are located a couple of streets away from ANT Bicycles Tonga. This is a sacred site where the deceased kings of Tonga are buried. This area is off-limits to visitors, but you can get a good look at the tombs from outside the fence.
Where to Stay in Nuku'alofa
I highly recommend staying at the Seaview Lodge in Nuku’alofa. This hotel is conveniently located near the Royal Palace and provides an amazing view of the ocean! It also provides free unlimited WiFi, which is very rare to find in Tonga! I stayed here during my time in Tonga, and it was a great experience.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Tips for Renting a Bicycle in Tonga
Street Dogs in Tonga
The street dogs in Tonga can be aggressive, and will occasionally chase you. This is especially true in the villages near Abel Tasman’s Landing Site. The locals advise carrying a long stick to deter any dogs. I was able to pedal fast and avoid them without a stick. They won’t chase you for longer than 5 or 10 seconds.
Bring Plenty of Cash
If you spend all day bicycling around Tonga, you will need a lot of water. I spent about 8 hours biking 50 kilometers around Tongatapu, and I drank 5 liters of water plus 3 coconuts.
There are small shops along the road that sell water and snacks, but only accept cash. Make sure you have enough to buy what you need.
