Must-see attractions in Tonga

  • Sunset at the Mapu'a 'a Vaca (Chief's Whistles) Blowholes.

    Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes

    Tongatapu

    On an especially good day at Mapu’a ‘a Vaea (Chief’s Whistles), hundreds of blowholes spurt skywards at once. Time your visit for a windy day with a…

  • Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon

    Tongatapu

    The South Pacific’s equivalent of Stonehenge, the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui (Maui’s Burden) trilithon near Niutoua, is one of ancient Polynesia’s most intriguing…

  • Talamahu Market

    Tongatapu

    Want to see the real of Nuku’alofa? Wander through the aisles at Talamahu, Tonga's main fresh-produce hub. You’ll find produce piled into handmade woven…

  • St Joseph’s Cathedral

    Vava'u Group

    A vision of colonial piety above Port of Refuge, St Joe's is Neiafu’s defining piece of archiecture. Inside, the hypercoloured crucifixion scene behind…

  • Ha’atafu Beach

    Tongatapu

    On the sunset side of the island, Ha’atafu Beach is a sandy slice protected by a reef, where some of Tonga's best surf peels in (experienced surfers only…

  • Hufangalupe Archway

    Tongatapu

    Near nowhere in particular is this impressive arch, aka ‘the pigeon’s doorway’ – a natural land bridge over the pounding Pacific waves, formed when the…

  • Mu’a

    Tongatapu

    The Mu’a area contains Tonga's richest concentration of archaeological remnants. In AD 1200, Tu’itatui, the 11th of the Tu’i Tonga kings, moved the royal…

  • Hihifo’s Archaeological Sites

    Tonga

    Hihifo, the contiguous suburban area south of Pangai, hides some archaeological relics seemingly of more interest to rooting pigs than anyone else. Hidden…

  • Fafá

    Tongatapu

    Honeymooners, start your engines! Fronting onto a magnificent beach, Fafá Island Resort is the most elegant on Tongatapu’s offshore islands, but it makes…

  • Pangaimotu

    Tongatapu

    The closest island resort to Nuku’alofa, Pangaimotu makes an easy day trip. Daily departures (including Sunday) chug out from the wharf beside the Fish…

  • ‘Ene’io Botanical Garden

    Vava'u Group

    Developed by Tonga's former Minister of Agriculture, these gardens are brimming with botany (550 different plant varieties!). Access is via guided tour:…

  • ‘Anahulu Cave

    Tongatapu

    Tongatapu’s most famous cave is an over-loved, slightly eerie place full of stalactites and stalagmites, and blackened from the soot of flaming-frond…

  • Royal Residences

    Tongatapu

    South of Nuku’alofa, between Tofoa and Pe’a, you’ll pass the private royal residences of the Princess, adorned with white tigers and cannons, and the King…

  • Mt Talau National Park

    Vava'u Group

    A flat-topped mountain looming behind Port of Refuge, 131m Mt Talau (Mo’unga Talau) is protected as part of Mt Talau National Park. To check it out, from…

  • Ark Gallery Vava'u

    Vava'u Group

    Paintings, prints, local arts and crafts...on a boat! If you're keen to visit, phone first, then take a taxi to ‘Ano Beach – you’ll be picked up there. Or…

  • Port-au-Prince Massacre Monument

    Tonga

    A few hundred metres north of the airport runway is a signed turn-off west to the beach where a monument commemorates the spot where the Port-au-Prince…

  • Fishing Pigs

    Tongatapu

    As you round the coast to the north of Mu’a, keep an eye out for Tonga's famed fishing pigs. When the tide is out, these unusual porkers trot out into the…

  • Flying Foxes

    Tongatapu

    While you’ll get the opportunity to see flying foxes (aka fruit bats, or peka) in many places in Tonga, one spot renowned for their presence is the…

  • ‘Atata

    Tongatapu

    ‘Atata, 10km from Tongatapu, has beaut beaches and a little island village to wander through. Snorkelling, diving and fishing are near-essential. There is…

  • Old Harbour

    Vava'u Group

    Head north on Tokongahahau Rd from the cathedral then turn east onto Naufahu Rd and you'll reach the low-key Old Harbour. It's much less developed than…

  • Abel Tasman Monument

    Tongatapu

    At the northwestern tip of Tongatapu is a modest monument commemorating Dutchman Abel Tasman's 'discovery' of Tongatapu in 1643. He was on his way back to…

  • Triple-headed Coconut Tree

    Tongatapu

    If you think we must be scratching around for highlights to include a triple-headed coconut tree, then think again. Locals swear that this is the only…

  • Royal Palace

    Tongatapu

    Encircled by expansive lawns and casuarina trees, the white weatherboard Victorian-style Royal Palace, erected in 1867, is the pinnacle of Tongan grandeur…

  • Captain Cook Landing Site

    Tongatapu

    A modest cairn above a mangrove inlet near Holonga village marks the spot where Captain Cook came ashore in 1777 (on his third trip to Tonga) and where…

  • Southern Lifuka

    Tonga

    From Hihifo, the road continues south to Hulu’ipaongo Point, with its sweep of white beach and views south to Uoleva island. About 200m short of the point…

  • Centenary Chapel

    Tongatapu

    Royal watchers and rubberneckers (regardless of denomination) head to this towering white church for a glimpse of Tonga's royal family at Sunday service,…

  • Royal Tombs

    Tongatapu

    Mala’ekula, the large parklike area opposite the basilica, has been the resting place of the royals since 1893. The statue-studded white concrete tomb…

  • ’Ano & Hinakauea Beaches

    Vava'u Group

    Near the southern end of Pangaimotu are these two beaut beaches backed by verdant vegetation, with sheltered waters, good snorkelling and a safe spot to…

  • Basilica of St Anthony of Padua

    Tongatapu

    Nuku'alofa's most distinctive structure is the Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, opposite the Royal Tombs. It has a beautiful interior of stained glass,…

  • St Mary's Cathedral

    Tongatapu

    St Mary's Cathedral, near Faua Jetty, is worth visiting for its beautiful rose gardens, stained glass and vaulted ceiling.

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