Niuas Travel Guide, Tonga
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Tonga Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
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Niuas
Travel Guide
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back to tonga
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The remote Niuas in the far north of Tonga are one of those few places where traditional life goes on. Too far for tourism and too remote for commerce, these islands exist much the same way as they have always done so. In fact, the Niuas are so far north that they are much closer to Samoa than to wither Vava'u or Tongatapu.
There's a weekly flight to Niuatoputapu - it takes two and a half hours from Tongatapu, it's 280km north of Vava'u and the climate here is noticeably warmer. Ferries call in about once every two months with supplies, by which time the island shops are usually empty.
Niuatoputapu Beach
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Niuatoputapu Lagoon
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The main island of Niuatoputapu is surrounded by beautiful beaches, views of the perfect cone of offshore Tafahi Island, and small coastal fishing villages with elaborate churches. Life here is very traditional - men fish and plant, women weave mats and cook the food and the children look after themselves, wandering around from house to house and playing in the lagoons.
The island is 18 sq. km in size and it takes about 8-hours to walk around. There are just over 1000 people living here. If you plan on staying, the only accommodation is offered by Kalolaine's guesthouse in the village of Hihifo.
Hunganga
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Fishing
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The satellite island of Hunganga can be reached across a shallow lagoon which is excellent for swimming and being uninhabited is a great place for exploring at will.
The unusual collapsed volcanic island of Niuafo'ou lies more than 100km north west of Niuatoputapu. There's no anchorage and strong winds make it difficult for aircraft top land - quite often the plane has to turn around without delivering its passengers! The island is dominated by its volcano - four eruptions early last century (1900's) encouraged many of the islanders to leave and today the population has dwindled to just 700. There's a huge lake in the collapsed crater with hot springs and much of the northern coast is covered in lava fields. No accommodation is present.
Flights and Ferries
Niua Accommodation
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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