Tongatapu

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.

Some stunning uninhabited coral islands can be found offshore, visible from the seawall at Nuku'alofa, and these can be visited on a day trip. There are almost 20 tiny coral islands in all, Fafa, Pangaimotu and Atata having accommodation, the rest being uninhabited. Day tours to Fafa, Pagaimotu and Atata (Sunday only) are available on 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.

Islands off Tongatapu

Fafa Island

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

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 strung out along them, but in few places do they hug the coastline.

Lagoon and Tongatapu

Plantations

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.

Langi Namoala at Lapaha

Trilithon, Tongatapu

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.

South Coast, Tongatapu

Coral Bridge, Tongatapu

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.

Ha'atafu Beach

Bus through Village

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.

This is the kingdom's largest island. Its name means 'sacred land' or 'sacred south' and it is where the majority of visitors come. It is here that the international airport of Fua'amotu is situated along with the major shipping facilities for international passenger and cargo vessels, as well as inter-island craft and cruising yachts.

A relatively flat island, it has a network of roads which make it easy to get around, whatever transport you choose. Most of Tonga has bitumen roads.

Although not particularly large, Tongatapu requires two full days to explore since its attractions consist of historical sites and beautiful beaches on the eastern half of the island and natural landmarks on the western side.  

Ha'atafu Beach is at the western extremity and there are three roads leading across the island to it. The first route is the Hihifo Road which runs from Queen Salote College via the villages of Puke, Fatai, Nukunuku, Teekiu and Masilamea.

Tongatapu narrows considerably as it runs west into a peninsula-like section which is called the Kolovai District. It was once called Hihifo and figured frequently in the history of Tonga.

The second route is Taufa'ahau Road and runs across the middle of the island, through Haveluloto, almost a continuation of the capital, thanks to urban sprawl. It skirts Fanga Uta Lagoon until it reaches Vaiola Hospital completed in 1971.

Opposite Vaiola on the banks of the lagoon is the Tongan National Centre, complex of ten buildings of various traditional sizes and an open air amphitheatre.

The large village of Pea en route is an extremely important centre in historical terms for it was here that opposition to the efforts of King George Tupou I to forcibly turn Tonga into a unified, Christian kingdom was strongest.

The third route is Liku road which runs all the way from the island's western to its eastern tip through the village of Tokomololo. Proceed down one of the lanes which leads to the coast and you will find Keleti Beach Resort, a collection offales (thatched houses) overlooking a superb small beach with dramatic, slightly uplifted fringing reef. The formation creates a blowhole effect when the tide and wind are right.

 

Tongatapu's eastern section is regarded by many as the more interesting half of the island since it has several beaches and the ancient burial site of the Langi Tombs, some 28 royal burial sites named for their terraced style construction. Tradition has it that the massive stones from which they were constructed were brought from Uvea (Wallis Island) hundreds of kilometres to the north.

The Ha'amonga structure nearby has impressive statistics and has been compared to Stonehenge in England. It is made up of two vertical stones with a horizontal stone connecting and morticed into them. The upright portions are said to each weigh between 30 and 40 tonnes.

Captain Cook's landing place where he used to sit under a Banyan tree while watching the ceremony of the first fruits as the guest of Pau, the Tu'i'Tonga is marked by a park and at Anahulu beach there are some remarkable limestone caves complete with stalactites and freshwater pools in which to swim.