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Tonga is a beautiful country rich in culture and history. The people who live there are very friendly and welcoming to travelers. Despite this, this small country in Oceania is not on many travelers’ radars. In fact, it is one of the least-visited countries in the world!
In this guide, we will discuss Tonga’s top attractions, as well as useful information and advice about visiting Tonga.
Table of Contents
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.
Getting Around Tonga
Unfortunately, the public transportation in Tonga is not very developed or reliable. You will have to rely on either renting a car or taking taxis everywhere.
If there are specific locations that you want to visit, you can look at available tours in Tonga. And if you are feeling adventurous, you can rent a bicycle in Nuku’alofa as a way to get around.
Top Attractions in Tonga
Here are Tonga’s top attractions. Most of them can be found along the western coast of the island.
Nuku'alofa
Nuku’alofa is the capital and largest city in Tonga. It is home to most of the famous man-made landmarks on the island.
Royal Palace
One of the most famous sites in Nuku’alofa is the Royal Palace. This palace is built with a mixture of European and traditional Tongan elements. This serves as the official residence of the reigning monarch of Tonga.
This palace is not open to the public. When I stopped by, I was friendly with the palace guards, and they let me get a closer look at the palace through the open gate.
Royal Tombs
The Royal Tombs are located across the street from the Royal Palace. This is a sacred site where the deceased kings of Tonga are buried. This area is also off-limits to visitors, but you can get a good look at the tombs from outside the fence.
Free Church of Tonga
Located next to the Royal Tombs is the Free Church of Tonga. Built in 1885, this large church, also known as the Centenary Chapel, represented the arrival of Christianity to Tonga.
Unfortunately, this church was damaged from a cyclone back in 2018 and is closed to the public. However, it is still worth stopping by to admire its beauty from the outside.
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.
To get there, you will have to pass several small villages and private beach resorts. But you will be rewarded with amazing views of the ocean and nearby Atata Island.
Fruit Bats in Kolovai
There is a small village in Tonga called Kolovai, where large fruit bats hang from a grove of trees. As you pass by, you can hear the bats chirping, even during the day.
You will pass this village on the way to Abel Tasman’s Landing Site, so keep an eye (and ear) out for these bats!
'Anahulu Cave
If you go further east, closer to the airport, you’ll see signs directing you to ‘Anahulu Cave. This cave is most famous for its underground pool that is suitable for swimming.
Similar to Bimmah Sinkhole in Oman, this cave formed from the erosion of limestone by rainwater. Over time, this rainwater formed a clear pool where people can swim in today. You will have to pay a small fee to swim, but the money goes toward the preservation of the cave.
Monotapu Beach
There are tons of secluded beaches in Tonga. Some of them look as though nobody had visited them in weeks! My favorite beach that I visited in Tonga was Monotapu Beach.
Located along the western coast of Tongatapu, you will see several unpaved roads leading off toward the ocean. One of these leads to Monotapu Beach, which is surrounded by coconut and banana trees. This is an excellent place to spend an hour or two relaxing.
Tsunami Rock
An interesting attraction in Tonga is the Tsunami Rock. This huge rock, which weighs 1,600 metric tons, sits a few hundreds meters away from the ocean. There are several Tongan legends of how this rock came to be in this location. Eventually, scientists discussed that thousands of years ago, a powerful tsunami ripped the huge rock from the nearby coral reef and transported it onto land.
Mapu'a Vaea Blowholes
The Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes may be the most famous attraction in Tonga. These blowholes are found along the western coast, south of Tsunami Rock. When the waves crash into the coral limestone lining the coast, water is forced through a series of interconnected underwater caves and tunnels. As a result, water shoots up into the air, with the height reaching up to 18 meters depending on the strength of the waves. There is also a distinct whistling sound.
Meaning of Mapu'a Vaea
Mapu’a Vaea means “the whistle of Vaea.” Vaea refers to Chief Vaea of Houma, a former leader in Tonga.
3 Headed Coconut
Probably the most unique attraction in Tonga is the 3 Headed Coconut. I found this attraction on Google Maps and decided to check it out.
This tall palm tree stands alone in a field by a road, between the Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes and Nuku’alofa. 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!
I wouldn’t suggest going out of your way to see this, but it is still an interesting and unique thing to see.
Haʻamonga ʻa Maui
On the eastern side of Tongatapu, you can find Haʻamonga ʻa Maui. This is a stone structure consisting of two large vertical stones holding up a horizontal stone. Sometimes nicknamed the “Stonehenge of the Pacific,” this stone arch was built in the 13th century.
Meaning of Haʻamonga ʻa Maui
Haʻamonga ʻa Maui means “the burden of Maui,” with Maui referring to a folk hero in Polynesian mythology.
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.
