Neiafu Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Boat

Two ferries travel weekly between Tongatapu and Vava'u via Ha'apai. The offices of 'Uata (Walter Line) Shipping (70490), for MV Pulupaki, and Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (70128), for MV 'Olovaha, are at Neiafu's main wharf and open the day before the ferry arrives and the day of the ferry. Contact the shipping company for MV 'Olovaha's scheduled trips to the Niuas from Vava'u.

Arriving by yacht in Vava'u is reasonably straightforward, if a little time-consuming. Moorings can be hired from Beluga Diving for US$9 per night, or the Moorings and Sailing Safaris for T$15.

Sailing Safaris Marine Centre (70650; sailing safaris@kalianetvav.to; VHF Channel 68; PO Box 46, Neiafu), near the Mermaid, looks after yachtie needs including various sorts of fuel, engineering services and repairs, water, ice, laundry facilities and yacht slipway for boats up to 30 tonnes. It also offers poste restante.

If you're looking to crew, check out the notice boards at the Mermaid, the Bounty Bar and Adventure Backpackers.

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Air

Lupepau'u Airport is on the northern side of Vava'u Island, about a 15-minute drive from Neiafu. Airlines Tonga Air Fiji(www.airlinestonga.com) and PeauVava'u (Neiafu71480; Fatafehi Rd; Airport71403) fly between Vava'u, Tongatapu and Ha'apai daily except Sunday. The former also services the Niuas from Vava'u twice weekly.

Details on weekly flights between Samoa and Vava'u are available from Polynesian Airlines (70644; in Puataukanave Supermarket; Fatafehi Rd).

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