Beautiful Beaches in Tonga
You didn’t come all the way to the remote islands of the South Pacific not to see beaches! Luckily, the islands of Tonga have many, mostly found in the island groups of Ha’apai and Vava’u, while the most easily accessible beaches are found in Tongatapu and ‘Eua. Check out some of the most stunning beaches in Tonga in the list below!
1. Ha’atafu Beach
Easy to access, a surfing and snorkelling hotspot and home to a marine reserve, Ha’atafu Beach is a top choice for many visiting Tonga. Ha’atafu Beach can be found along the western tip of Tongatapu, which is backed by a few tourist accommodations should you want to make this your base for longer. Check out more stunning beaches in the area in The Guide to Beaches on Tongatapu.
Location: Western side of Tongatapu
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism2. Houmale’eia Beach
A stretch of sand at the tip of Foa Island, Houmale’eia Beach is one of many breathtaking beaches in the islands of Ha’apai. The beach has a marine reserve just off its shores where you’ll find superb snorkelling. It’s backed by Matafonua Lodge and the Sandy Beach Resort, where you can pop in for a bite to eat at their restaurant, hire watersports gear, and, of course, stay for a dreamy island getaway!
Location: Foa Island, Ha’apai
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism3. Keleti Beach
Another picturesque beach in Tongatapu, Keleti Beach lies at the south of the island, featuring white coral sand with tiers of blowholes sheltering a lagoon. Swimming is safe, but respect the signs from the Keleti Resort indicating where it’s not safe to swim. Check out more beaches we like in the 10 Best Beaches on Tongatapu.
Location: Southern end of Tongatapu
(c) tongapocketguide.com4. Fangatave Beach
One of the most rewarding beaches to get to, Fangtave Beach is accessible after a hike down a hillside full of limestone caves on the island of ‘Eua. A guide for this walk is recommended, which you can learn more about in the 5 Best Hikes in ‘Eua.
Location: Northeast side of ‘Eua
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism5. Ha’aluma Beach
Hire a bike or get a lift with your accommodation provider to get to this beach toward the southern shores of ‘Eua. This long white-sand beach has some good snorkelling spots, especially in some of the larger tidal pools. Other features of the beach include ancient Tongan stone cuts and stunning sunsets. See more beaches on this island in the 5 Best Beaches on ‘Eua.
Location: Southern end of ‘Eua
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism6. Likuone Beach
Likuone Beach makes a stunning photo opportunity from the ‘Utula’aina Lookout in Vava’u. It’s a bit of a rough gravel road to get there, but it’s worth it if you’re feeling confident in your driving ability, are cycling or are with a tour.
Location: North of ‘Utu Vava’u in Vava’u
(c) tongapocketguide.com7. Nuku Beach
A popular stop on many boat tours in Tonga, Nuku Beach on Nuku Island is a small spit of sand with some good snorkelling – look for the eels in the sand! If you don’t feel like snorkelling, then at least it’s a picturesque photo opportunity.
Location: Vava’u
(c) tongapocketguide.com8. Hufangalupe Beach
Back on Tongatapu, Hufangalupe Beach is one of many stunning sights seen from the Cliff Lookouts in this area. There is a well-hidden track down to the beach should you want a closer look. Nearby, don’t miss the Hufangalupe Landbridge.
Location: Southeast side of Tongatapu
(c) tongapocketguide.com9. Malinoa Island Beach
There are so many uninhabited islands in Tonga with pristine beaches, that there are certainly many more contenders that could be added to this list. However, since we have a photo of this beach, we know the name of the island, and it’s one that’s visited on many boat tours from Tongatapu, Malinoa Island is just one of many breathtaking islands in Tonga with beaches encircling the island.
Location: Tongatapu
(c) tongapocketguide.com10. … And Just About Any Beach in Ha’apai
Finally, if you’re a bit of a beach bum and want to spend a lot of time on the beach, then just about any beach in Ha’apai is bound to take your breath away. So many of the 62 islands in this island group have beaches sweeping around the entire islands. Learn more about Ha’apai in The Complete Guide to Ha’apai.
Location: Ha’apai
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismMore Beaches in Tonga
- The Most Beautiful Swimming Holes in Tonga
- 10 Best Water Activities in Tonga
- 10 Best Places to Snorkel in Tonga
That’s it for the best beaches 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.
