Day Tours and Multi-Day Tours in Tonga
What are the best bus tours in Tonga? Well, the first thing to note is that bus tours in Tonga might not be the type of bus tour that you’re used to. As an island nation that’s less-visited, there isn’t a need for large coach tours. What you’ll find in Tonga is a much more intimate experience of small-group tours in mini-buses, mini-vans or sometimes simply cars! Most of the tours in Tonga are day tours to show you the highlights of Tonga’s small islands. Multi-day tours are also available, which mostly involve overwater transport and day bus tours of certain islands. We list some of the top tours available below!
5 Reasons to Take a Tour in Tonga
- All tours in Tonga are small-group tours – you might even find some tours just being your group!
- Tours are with local guides
- Some tours include Tongan lunches for a foodie experience
- Islands are so small in Tonga that tours can often pick you up from just about anywhere on the island
- Tours are usually around the same price as hiring a car for the day, plus purchasing a Visitor Driving Licence [Update: Some visitors no longer need to purchase a Visitor Driving Licence].
(c) Tonga Travel TroupeTonga Travel Troupe – Island in a Day Tour
See a multitude of highlights across Tongatapu in just one day on this guided day tour with Tonga Travel Troupe! The local tour operator based in Tongatapu offers a range of tours, from private transfers to cultural shows to island day trips. They also specialise in small-group mini-bus tours and private tours of Tongatapu’s major historical and natural sights.
Tour Highlights
Age Range: 0-99-year-olds (infants must sit on laps)
Maximum Group Size: 7
Meals: Lunch
Pick-up: Anywhere on the main island of Tongatapu
More Info: Private tours are available
Destinations on the 6-Hour Tour
- Royal Palace
- Royal Tombs
- Ancient Royal Tombs of Lapaha
- Ha’amonga’a Maui Trilithon
- Hufangalupe Natural Land Bridge
- 3-Headed Coconut Tree
- Tsunami Rock
- Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes
- Abel Tasman Landing Site
- Ha’atafu Beach
Find out more about this tour by comparing Tonga Travel Troupe on Viator or Tripadvisor.
(c) Teta Tours & Travel Teta Tours & Travel – West Coast Island Scenic Tour
Offering the most comprehensive range of bus tours in Tonga, Teta Tours & Travel provides half-day mini-bus tours of Tonga, including an island tour of Ha’apai (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor). One of their offerings is the West Coast Island Scenic Tour, featuring natural and historical sights on the western side of Tongatapu. Their tours are small-group tours with either car or minivan transport. Teta Tours & Travel also offer tours of the eastern side of Tongatapu – see The Best Guided Tours of Tongatapu for more information.
Tour Highlights
Age Range: 0-99-year-olds (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Maximum Group Size: 10+
Meals: None
Pick-up: Anywhere on the main island of Tongatapu
Destinations on the 3-Hour Tour
- 3-Headed Coconut Tree
- Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes
- Tsunami Rock
- Flying Foxes of Kolovai
- Abel Tasman Landing Site
Find out more about this tour by comparing Teta Tours & Travel on Viator or Tripadvisor. More of Teta Tours & Travel’s tours can be compared in The Best Guided Tours of Tongatapu.
(c) Jones TravelJones Travel – Highlights of Tongatapu
Another full-day tour option of Tongatapu, Jones Travel offers a Highlights of Tongatapu Tour taking travellers on a slightly different itinerary of Tonga’s main island. See a variety of historical sites, explained by your local guide, as well as natural highlights, like the blowholes and flying foxes. Jones Travel also offer half-day mini-bus tours of the western or eastern side of Tongatapu. Compare more of their tours in The Best Guided Tours of Tongatapu.
Tour Highlights
Age Range: 0-99-year-olds (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Maximum Group Size: 17
Meals: Lunch
Pick-up: Anywhere on the main island of Tongatapu
Destinations on the 6-Hour Tour
- Royal Palace
- Royal Tomb
- 3-Headed Coconut Tree
- Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes
- Flying Fox Colony
- Abel Tasman Landing Site
- Captain Cook’s Landing Site
- Terraced Tombs
- Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon
- Maka Fa’akinanga
- Langi Heketa
Find out more about this tour by comparing Jones Travel on Viator or Tripadvisor.
(c) Encounters TravelEncounters Travel – Tonga Whale Encounters
Our only multi-day tour on the list, Encounters Travel offers a 10-day holiday across Tongatapu and Ha’apai during the whale season (July-October). The multi-day tour of Tonga includes three days of whale swimming tours, hotel accommodation on Tongatapu and resort accommodation on Lifuka Island of Ha’apai. Car/minivan tours are incorporated into the 10-day experience, with one island day tour of Ha’apai and a one day tour of Tongatapu.
Tour Highlights
Age Range: 5-99-year-olds
Maximum Group Size: 6
Accommodation: Hotels and resorts
Meals: Nine breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners
Transport: Airport transfers, boat transport, car/minivan for island tours
Activities: Three whale swimming tours, island tours, cultural show
Destinations on the 10-Day Tour
- Tongatapu
- Ha’apai (Lifuka Island)
Find out more about this tour by comparing Encounters Travel on Tourradar.
(c) tongapocketguide.comMoana Island Tours – Vava’u Island Tour
Discover the island of Vava’u and its causeway-connected islands on a minibus tour with Moana Island Tours. The half-day tour takes you to historical, cultural and scenic highlights of Vava’u with a local guide, which includes a stop at a beach for a swim and a snorkel. The tour takes you to some destinations not in the guidebooks, providing a real local’s experience. See more guided tours of Vava’u here.
Tour Highlights
Age Range: 0-99-year-olds
Maximum Group Size: 10
Meals: Water and local fruits
Pick-up: Halaevalu Wharf, Naiafu
More Info: Receive welcome garland flowers
Destinations on the 4-Hour Tour
- Royal Residence
- Fangatongo Primary School
- Prince Ngu Hospital
- Hiliau Plantation
- Weaving group in a local village
- Hila ki Tapana Lookout
- Keitahi Beach
- Pouono Historical Park
- St Joseph’s Cathedral
Find out more about this tour and others on Vava’u in the 5 Best Guided Tours of Vava’u.
More About the Best Bus Tours in Tonga
