Luxury Activities and Tours in Ha’apai
Travelling to the remote Tongan islands of Ha’apai for a special occasion? Or perhaps you just want to make the most of this secluded and stunning destination? There are plenty of ways to experience “luxury” between exclusive experiences swimming with whales and spending the day on a private island all to yourself. While there might not be such a thing as “five-star” in Tonga, it will hardly matter once your cares effortlessly float away and you embrace the island life. Learn how in this list of luxury experiences in Ha’apai.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Luxury Guide to Ha’apai.
1. Embark on the Privileged Experience of Swimming with Humpback Whales
A Tonga must-do, whale swimming is available in Ha’apai between July and October. While swimming with beautiful humpback whales can be enjoyed from almost anywhere in Tonga, Ha’apai offers a more uncrowded experience with only a select few licensed operators sharing a vast area. Spend the day watching and snorkelling with these majestic creatures, often with mothers and their playful calves. The experience also usually includes stopping at a top snorkelling spot or an uninhabited island for a picnic lunch. Learn more about this life-changing experience, and who to experience it with, in the 5 Best Whale Swim Tours in Ha’apai.
Location: All over Ha’apai! See the link above for operators.
(c) tongapocketguide.com
2. Scuba Dive Among Untouched Coral
Ha’apai offers incredible and rarely explored dive sites across the archipelago. Sandy Beach Resort’s PADI dive operation offers scuba diving lessons, as well as rentals and dive tours to amazing dive sites by boat or even off the beach! Features of the Ha’apai dive sites include unspoiled hard coral bommies and soft coral gardens, exciting tunnel systems and amazing pinnacles. Learn more about the dive sites in The Best Scuba Diving in Ha’apai: 5 Best Dive Sites.
Location: Foa Island. See The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Ha’apai for the list of operators.
© Tonga Ministry Of Tourism
3. Indulge in an Island Massage
Enhance the relaxing experience of simply being in the tranquil Ha’apai islands by indulging in a heavenly massage. Pampering sessions are a part of the Sea Change Eco Retreat experience on Uoleva Island, which offers full-body, head, neck and shoulder massages. Alternatively, Serenity Beaches Resort, also on Uoleva, offers relaxing island treatments moments away from their private unspoiled beach. Learn more about the resorts mentioned and more in the 5 Best Luxury Accommodations in Ha’apai.
Location: Serenity Beaches and Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island. Learn more about their offerings in Where to Get a Massage in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com
4. Do a Beachfront Yoga Class
Rejuvenate the mind, body and soul with a yoga class in (what we think) is the most beautiful place on earth. Serenity Beaches Resort has a purpose-built yoga pavilion on the beachfront where guests can take time for some self-guided yoga or meditation. Alternatively, on Uoleva Island, Sea Change Eco Retreat also has a fantastic yoga pavilion nestled in coconut trees. For a more guided experience, look out for yoga retreats often hosted at these two resorts – find out more in The Guide to Wellness & Yoga Retreats in Tonga.
Location: Serenity Beaches and Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island. Learn more about their offerings in the 5 Best Yoga Resorts in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com
5. Explore the Islands on Horseback
While whales are the majestic creatures in Ha’apai’s water, horses are the majestic creatures on land and are used by locals as a transportation method. Join in on the action with a horse riding trip available from Sandy Beach Resort and Matafonua Lodge. Connect with your steed as you ride bareback “island-style” (or there are saddles available if you wish). The journey takes you through lush tropical forest then onto the beach where you’ll get the opportunity to canter across the sand. Cool off by taking your horse for a swim, if you desire. Learn more about the experience in The Guide to Horse Riding in Tonga.
Location: Trips depart from Sandy Beach Resort and Matafonua Lodge, north of Foa Island.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism
6. Tackle Big Game on a Fishing Charter
Ha’apai’s waters are teeming with large predator fish making for some exciting sports fishing. 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.
(c) tongapocketguide.com
7. Get the Castaway Experience on a Private Island Day Trip
Out of the 62 islands in the Ha’apai Group, there are 45 that are uninhabited. Spend the day on a remote micro-island all to yourself and your loved one, complete with a picnic, snorkelling gear and beach towels. You’ll get the whole day to enjoy a private island experience with Sea Change Eco Retreat where you only need to call in on the radio to be picked up again.
Location: Sea Change Eco Retreat, Uoleva Island.
© TongaPocketGuide.com
8. Be Treated to a Private Dinner on the Beach
Enjoy destination dining on Uoleva Island with Sea Change Eco Retreat which offers private dinners on the beach for their guests. Dine by candlelight with your loved one under the stars. Sea Change and neighbouring Kitesurf Tonga can also pack you up a picnic lunch should you want to explore the island on foot for the day. See more experiences like this in the 5 Things to Do in Ha’apai for Foodies, while more details about the walk around Uoleva can be found in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes in Tonga.
Location: Sea Change Eco Retreat and Kitesurf Tonga, Uoleva Island.
© TongaPocketGuide.com
9. Hit Tonga’s Top Kitesurfing Spot
Kitesurfing enthusiasts, don’t miss the opportunity to surf across the South Pacific’s ultimate kitesurfing playground at the tip of Uoleva Island. The island has a 500 m (1,640 ft) sandbar stretching to the neighbouring Lifuka Island making for a huge flat water lagoon stretching 6 km (4 mi) long. You can kitesurf in any wind direction here, with April to November typically experiencing southeast tradewinds of 15-25 knots and northeast tradewinds in the summer months of 12-20 knots. Get kitesurfing instruction at Kitesurf Tonga to up your game or join them for a day trip to their “secret spot” with more incredible terrain to cover. Alternatively, Matafonua Lodge offers some fantastic kitesurfing grounds just outside their resort at the tip of Foa Island.
Location: Northern tip of Uoleva Island and Foa Island. Learn more about kitesurfing in The Guide to Kitesurfing in Tonga.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism
10. Learn How to Sail
Speaking about tradewinds, Ha’apai is also an ideal destination for sailing. Matafonua Lodge and Sandy Beach Resort have Hobie yachts for hire, which you can enjoy for some freedom sailing across the azure and tranquil waters if you know what you’re doing. Or take them up on the opportunity to have some sailing instruction. The resorts have an on-site sailing instructor to show you the ropes and have you sailing the lagoon by yourself in no time!
Location: Matafonua Lodge and Sandy Beach Resort, Foa Island.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore Luxury Experiences in Ha’apai
That’s it for the most luxurious of the luxury experiences in Ha’apai. But of course, “luxury” means something different for everybody. So, if there’s anything that we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in one of the following guides:
- 20 Best Things to Do in Ha’apai
- 10 Most Luxurious Experiences in Tonga
- 10 Things to Do in Ha’apai with Kids
Finally, don’t leave without bookmarking The Complete Luxury Guide to Tonga with the last of our advice for luxury travellers.
