Tonga Backpacking Guide
and Backpacker Hostels
|
 |
Tonga Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Tonga Backpacker
Guide
|
 |
Tonga backpacking is very low key and there are some truly beautiful places to kick back and explore. Tongatapu, the main island, is a convenient base to and from exploring the other islands. The best beach is at Hatafu, 30-minutes from Nukualofa on the west tip of the island where several backpacking resorts operate. This is a good spot to relax but not as practical as staying in or near Nukualofa where travel agents, internet cafes and shops are at hand.
If you are after a really laid back beach holiday and want to meet the local people in a traditional setting, then the Ha'apai Group is undoubtedly the best destination. Several small guesthouses operate on the island of Lifuka which is small enough to cycle around in a day. There are few tourists here, no organised tours, no buses, not even motorcycle hire (but plenty of push bikes), and just a couple of restaurants and local shops. Lifuka is a really gentle island with loads of friendly locals all wanting to talk and practice their English. If you stay more than a few days you'll more than likely be invited to some local function or other - the local dance, a feast or whatever else might be happening around the island. The beaches on Lifuka are nice - sandy and palm fringed but the west coast around the main village of Pangai has a shallow coral reef making swimming and snorkelling impractical. The best swimming and snorkelling beaches are on the southern point and east coast. It's possible to visit other islands nearby by finding a boat ride with the local villages who come to Pangai for their shopping or hiring a water taxi for the day to explore the islands. There is no official accommodation on the other islands in Ha'apai and camping is prohibited.
If you are the more active type and like some nightlife, kayaking and hiking or whale watching and sailing tours, then the Vava'u Group is your destination. Vava'u is a limestone island with lots of causeways making it a haven for yachts and whales alike. Both visit between May and October, keeping away from the rough seas and winds that may strike in the hurricane season. The man town of Neiafu is the place to stay, with at least a dozen cheap guesthouses and backpacker hostels (often full between the high season of May to October). There are plenty good restaurants and lively bars around Neiafu, with live bands and dancing shows.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Backpacking
Fiji Backpacking
Samoa Backpacking
Tonga Backpacking
Tahiti Backpacking
Hawaii Backpacking
|
|
|
|
|
