9 Best Budget Accommodations in Vava'u 2026

Last Updated: 12 December, 2025

Cheap Accommodations in Vava’u

Vava’u might be home to pricey whale swimming, scuba diving, sailing and fishing, but man, you can make up for it with the cheap accommodations available!

From homely guesthouses to beachfront fales (bungalows) there are all sorts of styles of budget accommodation in Vava’u. We’ll compare some of your options in this list of cheap places to stay in Vava’u!

Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country and with that, accommodation can upgrade or change services with little notice. Although we try to keep our listings as up-to-date as possible, feel free to reach out with any updates.

For more budget advice, see The Guide to Vava’u on a Budget.

1. Flying Annie Moa

A well-presented guesthouse with free breakfast, Flying Annie Moa is worth considering. Stay just a short walk from Neiafu town centre and close to the whale swimming operators, including its own.

The large guesthouse has a range of rooms on offer, from standard single rooms with shared bathroom facilities to double ensuite rooms.

Communal areas include a balcony where you can watch amazing sunsets, a lounge and a kitchen with fridges and drink-making facilities. Services include free WiFi and airport transfers.

Book Flying Annie Moa:

2. Lucky’s Beach Houses

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Neiafu and experience a more laid-back side of Vava’u at Lucky’s Beach Houses. The boutique accommodation’s most affordable rooms are their duplex units with a double bed or twin bed, screened window and a ceiling fan. There is also a shared bathroom block.

Make use of the shared kitchen facilities including a barbecue, or upgrade to one of the fully self-contained bungalows.

The beachfront accommodation in Talihau village has complimentary kayaks and snorkelling spots (bring your own gear) and offers airport transfers, which include stopping in town for supplies, for a fee.

3. Lesina Guesthouse

Directly at the wharf where many whale swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving trips depart, Lesina Guesthouse boasts a convenient location on the waterfront of Neiafu.

After a dip from the jetty, relax in one of the four oceanview rooms upstairs or six downstairs rooms, all with either an ensuite or a separate private bathroom with towels provided.

The entire accommodation now features Starlink WiFi.

Guests also have access to a small communal kitchen with a microwave, fridge, toaster and kettle with hot drink supplies provided. A laundry service is also available for a fee.

For families, there’s a separate guesthouse just a little further down the marina with three rooms accommodating up to nine guests, each room sleeping up to three people in single and double bed configurations.

Note that access to the main guesthouse is down a short but very steep driveway.

Check out more guesthouses in the 10 Best Guesthouses in Vava’u.

10 Best Budget Accommodations in Vava'u [2023]

4. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers

For that island getaway experience, head to the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers! Set on the sandy shores of Ofu Island, a short boat ride from Neiafu’s old harbour – Houmelei Wharf, the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers offers basic but ultra-affordable private fales (bungalows) with power outlets sourced by solar power and ensuite bathrooms with cold water.

Alternatively, backpackers can stay in one of the three rooms in the main house with a communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.

See more accommodations like this in the 10 Best Resorts in Vava’u.

5. Vava’u Lahi Backpackers

Although not your homeliest of stays, Vava’u Lahi Backpackers provides a perfectly fine stay for travellers on a budget.

Stay in one of the 15 private twin or double rooms with three shared bathrooms and a very spacious communal kitchen and lounge area.

The backpackers is right on the waterfront with direct access to the small boat marina where most whale swimming tours depart, while the town centre is only moments away.

The budget accommodation is part of the Puataukanave Hotel next door, which also offers car rentals and whale swimming tours.

6. Oceanside Lodge

Offering two types of accommodation at this gorgeous hillside property on the edge of the Port of Refuge, Oceanside Lodge is sure to have something to suit.

The cheapest rates are in the older of the two houses, which you can rent per room sleeping up to three across a double and a single bed with an ensuite bathroom and access to a balcony where you can soak in the harbour views.

Whatever you choose, a highlight of the stay is the included breakfast which changes every day between pancakes, eggs and toast with fresh fruit, and more.

For all of your other needs, the accommodation is a five-minute walk from town.

7. Port Wine Guest House

Although boasting a range of rooms for a range of budgets, the most affordable rooms at Port Wine Guest House are shared rooms with communal bathroom facilities for budget-conscious travellers, while double or twin rooms without breakfast are available for couples seeking affordable privacy.

The highlight of the stay is the breakfast (extra fee if staying in the cheaper rooms) of fresh fruit from the garden, fresh bread, muffins, cinnamon rolls and more (the guest house also owns Potekis’ Place Bakery just down the road)!

Free WiFi is available, while airport transfers and laundry can be arranged for a fee. What’s more, the Tongan-owned guesthouse is just a five-minute walk from town where you can pick up supplies to spruce up meals in the communal kitchens available.

For those wanting more comfort, private en suite rooms and separate villas offer additional privacy. The property prioritises in-house guests for their daily whale-watching tours during season. Stay outside of the whale season for cheaper rates, cash only.

8. Hilltop Hotel

Stay close to the town centre of Neiafu at the Hilltop Hotel! The open-air communal dining and lounge area boasts great views of the town and harbour, as well as a place to meet the hotel’s pet cat.

Stay in one of the eight rooms available, some with a harbour view and some with a garden view. The budget hotel has electric fans (on a timer), as well as ensuite bathrooms with limited hot water.

There’s a communal kitchen with gas hobs, fridge and cooking utensils. Otherwise, restaurants are a short walk away.

For more hotels, head to the 5 Best Hotels in Vava’u.

Book Hilltop Hotel:

Hilltop Hotel on Expedia

9. Pio’s Backpackers

Right in the heart of Neiafu, Pio’s Backpackers is a boutique locally-run guesthouse with just three guest rooms and a shared bathroom.

With a total capacity of nine guests, each of the three rooms is characterfully furnished with both a double and single bed to accommodate up to three people per room.

The setup is very basic, reflecting some of the cheapest rates in Vava’u. Guests are free to use the spacious and homely lounge, as well as the kitchen.

See more accommodations like this in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Vava’u.

More About Budget Accommodations in Vava’u

That’s it for the best budget accommodations in Vava’u. For more useful tips to help plan your trip, take a look at the following:

Finally, get more budgeting advice from The Travel Guide to Tonga on a Budget and Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost?

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Tonga and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The 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.

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