Information, Shops & Services in Vava'u

What Services are Available in Vava’u?

Vava’u is Tonga’s second-most populated island group. Although there are 50 islands in the group, all of its shops and services are centred around the town of Neiafu. If you’re staying outside of Neiafu, whether it’s still on ‘Utu Vava’u (the main island) or one of the outer islands, it’s recommended to stock up on what you need in Neiafu first. Check out the shops and services in Vava’u, so you know what to expect.

Useful Services for Tourists

The Ministry of Tourism’s Visitor Information Centre – corner of ‘Otumapa and Fatafehi Roads, Neiafu
Car Rentals – See The Best Car Rentals in Vava’u for listings
Restaurants – See the Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Vava’u for recommendations
Police Station (for a Visitor’s Driving Licence) – Tu’i Road, Neiafu
Vava’u Yacht Club – Fatafehi Road, beside the Mango Cafe, Neiafu.

Food and Groceries

There are multiple options for supermarkets in Neiafu, while fresh produce is best purchased from ‘Utakalongalu Market on the waterfront. There are no options for buying groceries in Vava’u’s outer islands, so you will need to organise food with your chosen accommodation.

Supermarkets in Neiafu

Neiafu offers a selection of small supermarkets stocked with basic food products imported from New Zealand, Australia and China. Some of the supermarkets in town include:

Zhu Zhu Shopping Centre, near the market
LR Trading Limited, Tu’i Road
Golden Horse, Tu’i Road
Xiao Ying GUO, Tu’i Road
SNAP Enterprises, Fatafehi Road
Jia Heng Shopping Center, Tu’i Road
ELIM Shopping Center, Tu’i Road

There is also the Falaleu Deli on Fatafehi Road selling meat products.

Market

While fresh produce is not typically sold in supermarkets in Vava’u, you will find fresh fruit and vegetables at the ‘Utakalongalu Market on the waterfront.

Fale Koloa (Convenience Stores)

In some of the villages around Vava’u, you will find fale koloa. These are small convenience stores with bars across an open window at the front of the building. They stock a limited range of basic essential foods. Learn more about how to use fale koloa in The Guide to Food Shopping in Tonga.

Medication, Toiletries and Pharmaceuticals

While we always recommend having all the medication you need with you for your stay in Tonga and Vava’u (see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Tonga for advice), if there is anything you end up needing, you have a few options for purchasing medication and health care products in Neiafu.

Light medications (like painkillers), baby products and toiletries are sold in supermarkets in Neiafu, as listed in the section above.

Pharmacy and Hospital

For other medications and specialised health products, there is the Universal Clinic & Pharmacy on Fatafehi Road in Neiafu town centre. For more serious illnesses and injuries, there’s the Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital on Mateialona Road.

For advice on staying healthy while travelling Tonga, see How to Keep Safe in Tonga and the 10 Health Tips for Tonga.

Fuel Stations, Banks and Communication

Vava’u’s other essential services, such as banks, ATMs, fuel stations, phone stores, etc. are also unsurprisingly located in Neiafu. You will not find any of these services outside of Neiafu.

Fuel Stations in Vava’u

All of Vava’u’s fuel stations can be found in or on the outskirts of Neiafu, which include:

Total Fatafehi Service Station, Fatafehi Road
GATEWAY Gas Station, Tu’i Road
‘Ilisapesi Pongi Gas Station, Tu’i Road
Maka Gas Station, Vaipua Street
Vaitohi Gas Station, Tu’i Road

Phone, Internet and Post Office

For staying in touch, Digicel Tonga and Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) are the phone network providers who both have a presence in Neiafu. Their branches can be found in the following locations:

Digicel Tonga, Fatafehi Road (near the market)
TCC, Fatafehi Road (straight up the road from Digicel)

See The Best SIM Card in Tonga For Travellers for information.

For mail, Tonga Post is the national post office, found in Neiafu at the Pouno Plaza. There is also a FedEx office on Fatafehi Road in the town centre.

As for WiFi and internet, internet cafes include:

Mango Cafe, Fatafehi Road (on the waterfront)
Basque Tavern, corner of Fatafehi and Falaleu Roads
Tropicana Cafe, Fatafehi Road
Bellavista Restaurant, Fatafehi Road

See Where to Get WiFi in Tonga for more advice.

Banks

Neiafu has ATMs and banks in the town centre, including:

BSP Bank, corner of Pouono and Fatafehi Roads

There are also currency exchange bureaus in the town centre:

MBF Bank, Vuna Road
WESTERN UNION, Vuna Road
Tonga Development Bank, Fatafehi Road
BSP Bank, corner of Pouono and Fatafehi Roads

More Information, Shops and Services in Vava’u

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page