The Top Family Activities in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
An exciting introduction to The Kingdom of Tonga begins with Nuku’alofa, the capital city. Known as the “Abode of Love”, Nuku’alofa sits on the main island of Tongatapu, where families can immerse themselves in the culture and history of this fascinating island nation.
This destination offers a wonderfully diverse family holiday. On land, you’ll discover amazing geological formations, fascinating wildlife, plus rich cultural experiences. When you’re ready to hit the tropical waters, snorkelling tours and whale watching excursions await!
From historical sites to natural wonders, there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained. Find out what makes Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu such fantastic family destinations in this list of things to do in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu with kids!
While you’re here, don’t miss The Family Travel Guide to Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu for all your essential trip-planning wisdom.
Table of Contents
1. Make Your Own Tongan Souvenir at Fehoko Arts & Tours
Fehoko Art & Tours offers a hands-on cultural experience where your family can create authentic Tongan crafts to take home.
Through their “Mea’ofa Package”, you’ll select three traditional crafts, one from each category of weaving, tapa craft and carving. Choose from handmade bowls, sei flowers, earrings, bracelets, tapa decorations, candlenut (tuitui) soap, personalised notebooks, wooden hooks or bone whale flukes.
Your guide will walk you through each step of the process, whether you’re weaving a sei flower or basket, or learning the art of carving.
At the end of your session, you’ll head home with your handmade creation and a new skill rooted in Tongan tradition.
Workshops take place at the Fehoko Oceanic Art Studio in Popua in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Sessions are available from 9 am to 2 pm Monday to Saturday, making it easy to fit into your itinerary.
Click through to Fehoko Art & Tours website to book your spot and create your own meaningful Tongan souvenir today!
Location: Fehoko Oceanic Arts Studio, Tamakautonga Road, Popua, Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Go On a Family Snorkelling Excursion or Island Day Trip
Discover Tonga’s amazing array of corals and tropical fish on a family-friendly snorkelling trip from Nuku’alofa. Snorkelling tours are in sheltered waters that are safe for even younger kids (as long as they know how to swim), usually alongside idyllic islands some 20-30 minutes off the city’s shores.
All of the snorkelling gear will be provided, including a mask, snorkel and fins. So all you need to do is enjoy the boat journey and discover the amazing underwater world together as a family.
Note that snorkelling tours are typically only available between November and June (in other words, outside of the whale season). See current tour operators in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa.
Alternatively, island day trips to the nearby Pangaimotu Island is available departing from Faua Wharf at 11 am on Wednesday and Saturday, and between 10 am and 12 pm on Sunday. Learn more about the day trip in the 10 Best Island Day Trips & Tours from Nuku’alofa.
Location: See recommended tours in the link above. Most tours depart from Faua Wharf, Vuna Road.
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Buy Presents at the Talamahu Market
Treat the little ones to some amazing gifts while having a cultural experience at the Talamahu Market. The arts and crafts covering every inch of this market building are nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Kids can oggle at handmade woven clothes and baskets and get customised hand-carved jewellery made from bones and wood (check out the Treasure Island stall upstairs), and be awe-inspired by giant carvings of whales and warriors.
Even the produce side of the market is fun to browse, with impressive stands of colourful tropical fruit and vegetables.
Learn more about the market and others in the 5 Best Markets in Tonga.
Location: Salote Road, Nuku’alofa city centre.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Explore and Swim in ‘Anahulu Cave
Delve into a breathtaking limestone cave with a short walkway and a swimming hole at the end. ‘Anahulu Cave, on the eastern side of Tongatapu, has a small entry fee for a self-guided walk on a well-formed path through the impressive cave.
The cave is well-lit and boasts a refreshing pool to swim at the end, so take your swimwear!
Check out more attractions like this in our guide to Sightseeing on Tongatapu: Top 10 Sights & Natural Attractions.
Location: Signposted from the southern end of Haveluliku village, east side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Learn About Tongan Traditions on a Culture Tour
Speaking of ‘Anahulu Cave, combine this awe-inspiring setting with learning about Tonga’s rich culture with Teta Tours.
Their “Culture Tour” is an enlightening experience featuring a mat weaving and tapa demonstration, coconut husking and grating, and a kava ceremony after enjoying some sightseeing at Tonga’s top historical and natural attractions.
Alternatively, a fantastic culture tour in Nuku’alofa is Ancient Tonga. The cultural centre offers “Half” and “Full Culture Tours” revolving around Tongan arts, crafts, dance and food. It’s a great way to get the kids involved in a more hands-on learning experience.
Find out more about both tours in the 10 Best Cultural Activities in Tonga.
Location: Teta Tours – Transfers are provided from your Tongatapu accommodation. Ancient Tonga – Tamakautonga Road, Popua, Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Experience a Night Market
Nuku’alofa comes alive on Thursday and Friday nights with vibrant night markets offering delicious food, local crafts and a wonderful atmosphere for families.
The Ladies Connect Night Market at Digicel Square every Friday (5-9 pm) is the largest in Tonga, with up to 80 sellers offering everything from kebabs and sushi to Tongan rice meals and curries. You’ll also find toys for children, T-shirts and handcrafted souvenirs like bracelets and necklaces, perfect for a fun evening out with the family.
The WISE Night Market at BSP car park (Friday, 6-9 pm) features BBQ food, pasta dishes, Indian street food and sweet treats, plus a fun zone for kids and raffles.
For a quieter experience, try the PTH Night Market (Thursday, 6-9 pm) with six to seven stalls, each selling speciality dishes like butter chicken and doughnuts in a relaxed setting.
Location: Ladies Connect Night Market – Digicel Square, Corner of Wellington and Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa. WISE Night Market – BSP car park, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa. PTH Night Market – PTH car park, Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. See the Whales Between July and October
Whale watching and swimming tours are available from Nuku’alofa between July and October. Whale swimming is a popular option with families with older kids and teens who are strong swimmers, as swimming is in the open water and involves a lot of getting on and off the boat.
Those with younger kids can experience just as much excitement from the whale tour boats, watching the whales swimming to the surface, lifting their fluke into the air, and even sometimes breaching!
Learn more about the experience in The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga.
Location: Tours depart from Faua Wharf, Vuna Road. See operators in the 5 Best Whale Swim Tours in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa.
(c) tongapocketguide.com8. See the Epic Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon
Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, also known as “Maui’s Burden”, is an intriguing ancient monument believed to have been constructed in the 13th Century by the 11th Tu’i Tonga (king), Tu’itatui.
The attraction near Niutoua is within an attractive park setting with souvenir stalls and a grassy walkway leading to Maka Fa’akinanga or “Tu’itatui’s Backrest”, which is said to be where the king would lean against while he watched the construction of the monument. Interpretation panels at the site explain the history of the site.
Check out more sites like this that are sure to get the little ones’ imaginations running in the 10 Best Historical Sites in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa.
Location: Signposted along Taufa’ahau Road, Niutoua, east side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com9. See Flying Foxes in Kolovai
You’ll probably hear their unusual squeaks before you see the flying foxes in the trees of Kolovai. While flying foxes, otherwise known as “peka” or fruit bats, can be seen across Tongatapu, one of the best places to see them is in this western village on Tongatapu where there is a flying fox sanctuary.
Stop by the village and simply look up at the trees to see the huge bats interacting. The best time to see flying foxes is between October and February.
Location: Hihifo Road, Kolovai, west side of Tongatapu. Opposite the church in Ha’avakatolo.
© TongaPocketGuide.com10. Watch a Cultural Show and Indulge in a Tongan Feast
An unmissable experience on Tongatapu is the Tongan umu feast and floor show. Resorts like ‘Oholei Beach Resort and Katea Retreat host elaborate buffets of traditional staples slow-cooked by hot stones, international favourites, and a Tongan favourite – a spitroast pig.
Once you’re full to the brim, a floor show begins with traditional dancing and costume performed with grace and vigour, all depending on the dance style. A Tongan floor show is not a floor show without the fire dance finale!
Learn more about these experiences in the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com11. See the Hilarious Fishing Pigs
Yes, this is a real attraction that the kids are sure to find incredibly funny. Head along the coast of the village of Navutoka to see the village’s pigs sticking their heads in the water, giving them the name, the “Fishing Pigs”! They simply have a taste for seafood, unlike the usual land-based porker.
See more fun and free attractions like this in the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Tongatapu.
Location: Signposted along Tahi Road, Navutoka, east side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com12. Check Out the Royal Sights
The capital is home to a few interesting sights, where you can teach your kids more about the South Pacific’s only kingdom! As a bonus, it doesn’t take too long to see each sight.
Check out the Royal Palace, a grand Victorian building where you can get the best views from the waterfront on the west side of the palace.
The Royal Tombs is a large fenced-off park where you can appreciate the grand statues and tombs from afar.
Check out the 10 Historical Sites in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa for more like this.
Location: Royal Palace – corner of Vaha’akolo and Vuna Road. Royal Tombs – seen from Meteialona Road, Vaha’akolo Road and Taufa’ahau Road.
(c) tongapocketguide.com13. Check Out the Awesome Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes
Watch the sea bursting through hundreds of blowholes at the Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes! The blowholes stretch some 5 km (3 mi) along the southwest coast of Tongatapu creating amazing natural displays that the kids will love!
While it’s fun to see the blowholes at any time, the best times are during high tide, windy days or when the swells are strong to see water shooting up to 30 m (100 ft).
Location: End of Vaea Road, Houma, southwest side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com14. Play and Have a Picnic at Popua Park or Fa’onelua Park
Next to the Tourism Information Fale is Fa’onelua Park, the largest public children’s playground in Tonga and a pretty awesome one at that with equipment donated by various local and international organisations and maintained by Nuku’alofa Rotary Club.
Head east along the waterfront of Nuku’alofa and you’ll find a great recreational area for families. Popua Park was once a dumping ground of the city, now transformed into a picturesque park with a waterway running through it alongside landscaped flower gardens.
There’s a children’s playground, beach volleyball court, sculptures and plenty of picnic areas.
Location: Fa’onelua Park – Vuna Road (next to the Tourist Information Fale). Popua Park – Vuna Road, Popua (approximately 3.6 km/2.2 mi from the Tourist Information Fale).
(c) tongapocketguide.com15. Do a Day Trip Around Tongatapu
If you haven’t already, be sure to explore the greater area of Tongatapu! At only 260 km² (100 mi²), the island is easy enough to travel around in a day, either renting a car (see The Guide to Car Rental in Tonga for tips) or taking a guided tour with operators like Fresh Niumata Tours, Tonga Holiday Villa and Fehoko Art & Tours.
Visit highlights like the limestone ‘Anahulu Caves, the Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes and scenic historic sites around the island, by following our advice in The Guide to Tongatapu for Families.
Island tours are also available with operators listed in the 5 Best Guided Island Land Tours of Tongatapu.
Location: Tours usually include accommodation pick-ups in Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com16. Build Sandcastles at One of Tongatapu’s Beaches
What kid doesn’t love the beach?! Tongatapu really has an amazing array of beaches, ideal for building sandcastles, collecting shells, swimming, snorkelling and reef-walking.
Swim and watch the surfers at Ha’atafu Beach, swim in the lagoons of Keleti Beach, or join the locals at Fefe Ho Loto Beach.
Learn more about which beaches to visit in the 25 Best Beaches on Tongatapu.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com17. Have a Coffee While the Kids Play at the Playground at Tupu’anga Café
For some downtime combined with a real Tongan foodie experience, head to Tupu’anga Café. The café roasts its own coffee beans on-site and is known across Tongatapu for its irresistible house-made taro chips!
What sets this place apart is their farm-to-table approach, they grow their own taro on their farm and make and package their chips right here. Take a complimentary casual tour of their roasting area to see their coffee production in action.
Don’t miss their distinctly Tongan offerings like beef nachos with manioke chips and ‘Ota Ika (raw fish with fresh coconut cream) served alongside kumala or taro chips. There’s even a playground outside to keep the little ones entertained while you relax with your coffee.
Check out more foodie experiences like this in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.
Location: Umusi Road, Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa. Open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, and 8 am to 1 pm Saturday. Closed Sundays.
© TongaPocketGuide.com18. Experience a Tongan Sunday
Ok, so children might be renowned for getting “bored” at church, but the experience might be a little different in Nuku’alofa… Sunday is an important day in Tonga when most Tongans go to church and take part in grand masses full of harmonious singing and the playing of brass instruments.
It’s quite the experience that is sure to leave the whole family in awe! Be sure to be dressed appropriately for church – check out The Guide to the Religions in Tonga to learn more about church etiquette.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the 5 Best Churches in Nuku’alofa to Experience as a Visitor for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore Things to Do in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu with Kids
That’s it for the best things to do in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu with kids. For more experiences that don’t necessarily fall into the “family-friendly” category but may well be just as suitable for your tribe, take a look at the following:
- 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Tongatapu
- 15 Luxury Experiences in Tongatapu
- 50 Best Things to Do in Tongatapu
Finally, get even more inspiration for your family getaway with The Travel Guide to Tonga for Families and the 10 Things to Do in Tonga with Kids.
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])
- 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])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - 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.
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