10 Adult-Only Activities in Ha'apai

Experiences in Ha’apai for Adults

An adults-only getaway to the South Pacific is a dream for many, whether you are looking to escape the noise of families or, well, perhaps trying to escape your own family. Either way, you won’t find exclusively adults-only resorts or experiences in Ha’apai but you can almost guarantee enjoying activities undisturbed, with many aimed at adults or being private experiences. We’ll go through some excellent examples in the list of adult-only activities in Ha’apai!

While you’re here, get more advice for an adults-only holiday with The Adults-Only Travel Guide to Ha’apai.

1. Explore Unspoiled Reefs on a Scuba Diving Trip

Ha’apai is home to uncrowded and unspoiled hard coral bommies, soft coral gardens and awesome underwater tunnels all with a magnificent array of tropical marine species. With children having to be at least over 10 years old to take part in scuba diving in Tonga, rest assured you’ll only have this experience with your group or other like-minded travellers. Even so, once you’re in the water, you feel like you’re in a world of your own among the ever-intriguing underwater world. PADI scuba diving courses and day trips are available with operators listed in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Ha’apai.

Location: All over Ha’apai. See the link above for operators and their locations.

2. Glide Across Shallow Lagoons in Kitesurfing

Admittedly, the kitesurfing in Ha’apai is suitable for most ages. However, almost everyone out on the water (which doesn’t tend to be many) is an adult. Resorts like Kitesurf Tonga offer instruction to up your game. If you want to more exclusive kiteboarding experience, they offer day trips to a “secret spot”. Other resorts near fantastic kitesurfing waters include the Sea Change Eco Retreat and Matafonua Lodge – the latter also offering week-long instruction should you want to learn from scratch.

Location: Northern tip of Foa Island and Uoleva Island. Learn more about kitesurfing in The Guide to Kitesurfing in Tonga.

3. Hit the Awesome Beach and Reef Breaks

An alternative to kitesurfing, surfing is also pretty epic in Ha’apai where waves are blissfully uncrowded. Some of the best places to surf from include the beaches of the Serenity Beaches Resort and Matafonua Lodge. You will need to bring your own gear as there is no surfboard hire on the island.

Location: Houmale’eia Beach, Foa Island and the southwestern shores of Uoleva Island. Find out more about surfing in The Complete Guide to Surfing in Tonga.

4. Catch Some Big Ones on a Fishing Charter

Considering you need real strength to reel in wahoo, mahimahi, giant trevally and tuna, almost all fishing charters in Ha’apai just have adult clientele (or, families tend to hire the whole boat to themselves). A fishing charter is an epic way to get out on the water, see the islands and engage in an exciting sport! Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced angler, Sea Change Eco Retreat has the expertise and the equipment for an epic morning out on the water with specialised fishing packages available in the months leading up to the whale season (May and June).

Location: Fishing charters depart from Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island. Learn more about fishing with them in the 10 Best Fishing Charters in Tonga.

5. Try the National Drink, Kava

Engage in the local culture by joining a kava circle, locally known as faikava. In the Tongan culture, typically men sit in a circle around a kava bowl and socialise (just like going down to the local pub). Nevertheless, both men and women can sample this experience, as locals are usually very welcoming and proud to share this aspect of their culture. Accommodations like Serenity Beaches Resort, Diana Beach Resort, Fanga ’o Ipu Lahi Resort and Lindsay Guesthouse are the best ones to go to help organise this experience for you. And just so you know what you’re drinking, kava is a slightly narcotic drink made from the ground-up root of a pepper plant grown across the South Pacific.

If you’re joining a faikava in a village, such as Pangai for example, it’s customary to bring some cash (TOP$50) or kava to contribute. Learn more about aspects of the Tongan culture in The Guide to the Tongan Culture and Traditions.

Location: All over Ha’apai!

6. Hit One of the Island Bars for Some Sundowners

Ok, so there isn’t really the same nightlife scene in Ha’apai as you would find in Tongatapu or Vava’u. Nevertheless, there are almost always beers, ciders, wine and other alcoholic drinks to enjoy from most resorts on the islands. For instance, Sandy Beach Resort offers a spectacular upmarket restaurant and bar exclusively for their guests, pouring a range of beers, wine, soft drinks, coconut water and cocktails. Be sure to try their signature cocktail, Juergi’s Coconut Cocktail! Guests at Sea Change Eco Retreat, Ha’apai Beach Resort, Serenity Beaches Resort and Matafonua Lodge also have access to excellent bars. We also like the honesty bar set-up at Kitesurf Tonga.

Location: Resorts on Lifuka, Foa and Uoleva Islands. Check out the 8 Best Resorts in Ha’apai for examples.

7. Indulge in a Relaxing Island Massage

A surefire way to enjoy an adults-only experience in Ha’apai is by enjoying a spa treatment. Resorts, such as Serenity Beaches Resort and Sea Change Eco Retreat offer soothing island massages, from head to full-body to shoulder treatments. Learn more about their massage fales in Where to Get a Massage in Tonga.

Location: Serenity Beaches Resort and Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island.

8. Join a Yoga Class or a Full Yoga Retreat

Aside from relaxation through massages, Serenity Beaches Resort and Sea Change Eco Retreat also offer regular yoga retreats in their exercise pavilions. If your visit doesn’t coincide with a retreat, guests are welcome to use the yoga mats available at these resorts and guide their own yoga and meditation, rejuvenating the mind, body and soul in a stunning location nestled in the forest. Learn more about retreats in The Wellness & Yoga Retreats Guide to Tonga, while more information on the yoga aspects of these resorts can be found in the 5 Best Yoga Resorts in Tonga.

Location: Serenity Beaches Resort and Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island.

9. Spend the Day on Your Own Private Island

The ultimate adults-only experience in Ha’apai is spending time with whoever you choose on your own private island for the day. Sea Change Eco Retreat offers private island day trips where you and your loved one will be whisked away to an uninhabited island to enjoy a day snorkelling in the fringing reefs, relaxing on the beach with the provided beach towels and indulging in a packed picnic lunch. See more experiences like this in our 10 Romantic Things to Do in Ha’apai.

Location: Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island.

10. Explore the Islands by Bicycle

Ensure an adults-only experience by exploring the islands of Lifuka and Foa independently by hiring a bicycle. Resorts, such as Sandy Beach Resort, Matafonua Lodge and Ha’apai Beach Resort offer complimentary bike hire to allow guests to easily explore the islands and get into Pangai from the resort’s remote locations. See what attractions are worth hitting by bike in the Top 10 Sights in Ha’apai or follow our cycling itinerary in The Best Bike Trails in Tonga.

Location: Sandy Beach Resort and Matafonua Lodge, Foa Island. Ha’apai Beach Resort, Lifuka Island.

More Adult-Only Activities in Ha’apai

That’s it for our list of the best adult-only activities in Ha’apai. For more experiences worth knowing about, take a look at the following:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Ha’apai.

Author

Robin (Lopini) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page