See the Highlights of Tonga
With so many historical and natural sights to see in Tonga, it makes sense to join a sightseeing tour. Sightseeing tours are available in abundance, especially on the island of Tongatapu, while boat tours and 4WD tours allow you to see the hard-to-reach places in the island groups of Vava’u and ‘Eua. Let a local give you some context to the amazing places you get to visit, providing a much richer (and less stressful) experience than trying to figure it all out on your own. Check out some of our top recommended sightseeing tours in Tonga in the list below.
For more about tours in Tonga, check out The Guide to Guided Tours in Tonga.
1. Teta Tours & Travel’s Tongatapu East Coast and ‘Anahulu Cave Tour
This three-hour tour provides an informative exploration of Tongatapu’s eastern regions. First, stop at the Royal Palace then visit the Royal Tombs in Nuku’alofa before exploring the east side of the island. See the place where Captain Cook landed in 1777, visit the ancient Haʻamonga ‘a Maui megalith before hitting the highlight of the tour ʻAnahulu Cave, an underground natural swimming pool with stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll get time to swim and make the most of this unique swimming spot. Learn more about Teta Tours & Travel’s other tour offerings in The Best Guided Tours of Tongatapu.
Check the Teta Tours’ East Coast Tour out:
(c) Teta Tours Travel2. Hamala Tonga Tours’ West Coast Tour
Join your local guide, Aki Hamala, for a tour of the western side of Tongatapu checking out some of the highlights of the western region of the island with beaches and snorkelling spots. The tour features attractions that are likely on your bucket list, such as Ha’atafu Beach, the Royal Palace and the Fishing Pigs (of course!), as well as few sights you probably haven’t heard about but are interesting nonetheless. All of Hamala Tonga Tours are private tours. He offers airport transfers too.
Check the Hamala Tonga Tours West Coast Tour out:
(c) Hamala Tonga Tours3. Tonga Travel Troupe’s Highlights of Tongatapu
Explore 10 different highlights across the island of Tongatapu, while stopping for an included lunch along the way, on this Highlights of Tongatapu tour with the Tonga Travel Troupe. The Ancient Tombs of Labaha, Ha’amonga a’ Maui, Hufangalupe Natural Landbridge and the Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes are just some of the exciting attractions you’ll see on an island sightseeing tour with the Tonga Travel Troupe, who offer both shared and private tours.
Check the Tonga Travel Troupe Highlights of Tongatapu out:
(c) Tonga Travel Troupe4. Tonga Holiday Villa’s Full Island Tour
Offering various prices for solo travellers up to private groups, Tonga Holiday Villa offers a range of tours to suit all budgets. Your group will be taken around some of Tongatapu’s main highlights, including ‘Anahulu Cave for a swim, Talamahu Markets to check out the amazing handicrafts, Tsunami Rock, Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes and much more. They also do cultural performances back at the Tonga Holiday Villa at an additional cost.
Check Tonga Holiday Villa Full Island Tour out:
(c) Tonga Holiday Villas5. Jones Travel’s Highlights of Tongatapu
Jump on a six-hour tour to see many of the highlights around Tongatapu, including the Royal Palace, the Royal Tombs, the Abel Tasman Landing Site, Flying Foxes of Kolovai, the Three-Headed Coconut Tree, Captain Cook’s Landing Site, the Terrace Tombs, Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon and other short photo stops… They also offer half-day western side tours and half-day eastern side tours of Tongatapu should you prefer.
Check Jones Travel Highlights of Tongatapu out:
(c) Jones Travel6. Hakau Adventures’ Day Cruise
Admittedly, most of Vava’u’s sightseeing highlights are on the water, including the huge sea cave, Swallows Cave, and stunning snorkelling spots like the Japanese Coral Gardens. Hakau Adventures can get you to a variety of Vava’u hotspots during their full-day sightseeing and snorkelling cruise. All of the snorkelling gear is provided, as well as lunch. During the boat tour, you’ll also learn about the history of the island from your captain. Check out more sightseeing boat tours in the 10 Best Day Cruises in Tonga.
(c) tongapocketguide.com7. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers’ 5 Island Tour
Another fantastic boat sightseeing tour well worth scouting out is the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers’ 5-Island Tour. It’s one of the most affordable day cruises in Tonga, where you’ll island-hop around the eastern islands of Vava’u with a local guide to see stunning islands, snorkel in the crystal clear waters and experience the “real Tonga”. Note that a minimum of two people is needed for this tour to go ahead.
(c) tongapocketguide.com8. Moana Island Tours
For a cultural, historical and natural heritage tour on land, check out Moana Island Tours in Vava’u. Their day tours with a local include a stop by the Royal Residences where the royal family stay when visiting Vava’u, a local school, Vava’u’s “hospital-with-a-view”, and plantations to learn all about the island’s yams, taro and coconut. Also included in the sightseeing tour is time to relax, swim and snorkel on one of the best beaches of Vava’u’s main islands. Tours depart from the main wharf in Vava’u.
(c) tongapocketguide.com9. The Hideaway’s ‘Eua 4WD Tour
Last but certainly not least, if you’re looking to explore the ancient island and piece of natural paradise, ‘Eua Island, then join The Hideaway for their 4WD land tour. Discover secluded beaches, ‘Eua’s famous 800-year-old banyan tree, the “smoking cave”, Lakufa’anga Cliffs and its rock gardens and wild horses and much more on this 4WD excursion. Note that this tour also includes a few short hikes. Check out more experiences tours on the island in The Best Guided Tours in ‘Eua.
(c) tongapocketguide.com[UPDATE] Explore Vava’u’s Land Tours
[Update: Explore Vava’u no longer offer the tour described below. See 10 Best Whale Swim Tours in Vava’u to learn more about their whale swimming tours.]
Moving onto the island group of Vava’u, Explore Vava’u offers a guided sightseeing tour with a difference. Jump on an exciting tour of Vava’u’s main island on UTVs and quad bikes! Follow your guide on this self-drive kart tour through the islands’ remote countryside, including kava and taro plantations, through bush and down dirt roads to stunning viewpoints in the northern and eastern parts of ‘Utu Vava’u (Vava’u’s main island). Alternatively, if you don’t feel like driving yourself, they also offer van tours to take you to the lookouts, the Veimumuni Cave, as well as the base of Mt Talau for a short hike in the Mt Talau National Park. Check out more tours in Vava’u in the 5 Best Guided Tours of Vava’u.
More About Sightseeing Tours in Tonga
That’s it for the best sightseeing tours in Tonga. Inspire yourself with more experiences with the 101 Best Things to Do in Tonga: The Ultimate List. Plus, get even more tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
