Tonga Places: 20 Best Places to Visit in Tonga. Tonga is one of the largest Polynesian kingdoms in the South Pacific. It is made up of over 170 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Most islands are covered in white sand beaches, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests.
Lagoons and limestone cliffs surround the main island of Tongatapu which is home to the traditional capital of Nuku’alofa. The island is also home to many beach resorts and plantations and the historic Ha’amonga I‘ula Maui, a coral gate dating back to the 12th century.
30 Best Places to Visit in Togo
1. Vava’u
Vava’u is a group of islands in Tonga made up of one big island and 40 small islands. It is a part of the larger Vava’u District which also includes several other small islands. According to Hawaiian mythology, the Hawaiian god, Maui, created the big island of Maui and the small islands of Maui, but he put a bit more effort into creating Vava’u. Tongatapu is a large island in Tonga, and it is part of the larger island of Maui, which is part of the Hawaiian island chain. – Tonga Places
2. Ene’io Botanical Garden
The “Ene’io Botanical Garden” is Tonga’s first and largest botanical garden. It houses the largest and most diverse plant collection in the country. The garden is situated in the town of Vava’u 10 minutes from the capital, Neiafu. – Tonga Places
3. Mt Talau National Park
Mount Talau National Park is named after the flat-top mountain that stands 131 meters above the Port of Refuge. It was created in 1995 to protect the rainforest in the area. Just a few kilometers from the town of Neiafu, visitors can hike a short trail that passes endangered tree species and, in many cases, many local birds and reptiles. – Tonga Places
4. Swallows Cave
Swallows cave is a popular snorkel site and dive site for both snorkellers and divers. When you enter the cave after a 5 to 6-meter swim through the cave, you are met by thousands of tiny and not-so-tiny fish that live in the cave.
The cave reaches a depth of about 18 meters, and the main attractions of the cave are the fish and the light that comes through the main opening. It is truly a magical place to dive and it is a site that you should not miss! – Tonga Places
5. Kenutu Island
Kenutu is an island that is privately owned and located off the coast of the island of Vava’u. It is owned by the family of Afuha ‘amango. The island was given to Afuha‘amango as a gift after he led the king of Tonga to victory in many battles throughout the kingdom. Kenutu is now uninhabited, but people from nearby islands visit the island. – Tonga Places
6. Tapana
The island of the two funny Spaniards Maria and Eduardo, and the warm Tongan Villiami! The island’s natural, untouched, laid-back, and simple atmosphere is truly healing and worth a visit. If you’re an adventurous person who doesn’t mind sharing your room with gorgeous and relaxed lizards, pigs roaming around the hut, and a goat playing with you, you’ll have an amazing time.
Enjoy some good laughs and great days at the beach, snorkeling, fishing, exploring through the pristine bush, and kayaking, and if you’re lucky enough to sail, you’re in for a treat! These people are kind, helpful, and worth meeting! We had an amazing time! – Tonga Places
7. Hunga
Situated on the picturesque island of Vava’u, just an hour’s flight from the capital, Tungatapu, this small holiday home is immaculately presented and comes with its boats. It is nestled in immaculately landscaped gardens and is situated on a beautiful, private, and secure white sand beach. The island of Hunga is only 30 30-minute boat ride from the capital, Neiafu, on our motorboat, Folau Leeli. It is truly a picturesque location, and we are always delighted with the positive feedback we receive from our guests. – Tonga Places
8. Kapa
Port Maurele anchorage coordinates are shown on the map below. The map shows the anchorage and the route you need to take from the town of Neiafu to reach the anchorage. As you follow the route, you will see the “Island” marked on the south side of the road after you round the point of the small island of Kapa. There is plenty of space between the anchorage and Kapa, but be careful not to get too close as bommies can sometimes be seen coming out of the shore. – Tonga Places
9. Nuku’alofa
The capital of Tonga and the largest city in the country. It is situated in the southernmost part of the country’s island group, on the northern coast. The English navigator, Captain James Cook, wrote of his anchorage on 10 June 1777. In his account of the anchorage. – Tonga Places
10. Royal Palace of Tonga
Located in the northwest part of the island of Tonga, the Royal Palace of Tonga lies on the banks of the Pacific Ocean, not far from the capital city of Nuku’alofa. The wooden Palace was constructed in 1867 and serves as the King’s official residence. The Palace is not accessible to the public and can be easily seen from the waterfront. – Tonga Places
11. Royal Tombs
It’s only worth visiting if you’re visiting another attraction in the area. It’s tucked away behind a thick iron fence, and it’s hard to see unless you’re armed with a telephoto zoom camera. We took a quick look while we were passing by. – Tonga Places
12. Fafa Island
Fafá is an 18-acre palm-covered Island in the South Pacific Ocean located 7 km from the mainland of Tonga. It takes 90 min to travel from the international airport. Fafá is an off-the-grid eco-resort with solar power and rainwater. We do not have a TV, motorized water sports and the internet is available only in the library.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world with Fafá Island Resort. A Protected Marine Reserve since 2013, Fafá is surrounded by coral reefs where you can swim, snorkel, and kayak in our turquoise and crystal-clear lagoon. – Tonga Places
13. Ha’atafu Beach
Tongatapu is home to some of the best surfing in the world, and Ha’atafu Beach Resort offers the best waves and sunset views on the main island. Located 21km west of Nuku’alofa, Ha’atafu is a great choice for snorkeling and swimming and is Tongatapu’s premier recreational beach. – Tonga Places
14. Anahulu Cave
As an Inbound Operator, we wanted to create a single destination where we could end up on the island of Anahulu for our Tour and showcase our Culture and Simple Demonstrations of Matweaving, Tapa cloth Making, Coconut Husking, and Coconut Climbing. These activities are typical of a Tongan person’s daily life, such as using coconut cream in cooking or using mats in their homes as carpets. – Tonga Places
15. Pangaimotu Island
A small island off the coast of Tonga, Pangaimotu can be reached by a 10-minute boat ride from the capital Nuku’alofa. In addition to the beaches, the island’s main attraction is a wreck that jettisons itself from the upturned ship’s hull 50 meters from the main beach. – Tonga Places
16. Tonga National Museum
Tonga National Museum is the national museum of Tonga. The museum was founded in 1998 and initially housed artifacts in the National Cultural Centre. Soon after the museum opened, it was planned that Tongan artifacts from around the world would be brought back to Tonga for exhibition and that the museum would export touring exhibitions around the world. – Tonga Places
17. Haʻapai
Hawaii is a chain of islands, isles, reefs, and shoals in central Tonga. It covers an area of 109,30 square kilometers. It is bordered to the south by the island group of Tongatapu, and to the north by the group of islands known as the “Vavaʻu”. Seventeen of the Hawaiian islands are inhabited, with a total population of 5,419 inhabitants. – Tonga Places
18. Neiafu
Neiafu is Tonga’s second-largest city, with an estimated population of 3.845 inhabitants in 2021. Neiafu is located next to the deep-water Port of Refuge, on the southern coast of Vava’u, the island’s main island, in the northern part of the Vava‘u archipelago. The island’s highest peak, Mt. Talau, stands at 131 meters above sea level. – Tonga Places
19. Niuafo’ou
The island of Niua, part of the Kingdom of Tonga, is located in the Southern Pacific Ocean between the islands of Fiji and Samoa. It is 574 km north by land and 337 km northwest by sea. Niua is the most northerly island of Tonga.
The island of Niua is part of the Niua archipelago, which is made up of several islands. Niua is one of the islands of the Niua Archipelago and is part of the Tongatapu archipelago. Niua is located on the Pacific Ocean’s volcanic rim. Niua Island is 15 km² and has a population of about 431 inhabitants. – Tonga Places
20. Niuatoputapu
The island of Niue is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the island nations of Tonga. The island has a surface area of 16 square kilometers and a maximum elevation of 157 meters. The name is Niue is derived from the Hawaiian word Niue, meaning sacred island. Other older European names for Niue include Traitors Island, Keppel Island, and others. – Tonga Places
