The Best Kayak Tours in Tonga

Guided Kayaking Adventures in Tonga

Kayaking is the staple of a Tonga getaway: gliding across turquoise waters to a soothing tropical breeze while watching fish and coral decorating the depths below. While freedom kayak hire is abundant in Tonga, getting an expert guide to show you the kayaking hotspots is a little harder to find. That’s why we’ve put together this short albeit useful guide of all of the kayak tours in Tonga. That way, you know what sort of kayaking adventures you could be getting up to in The Kingdom!

3 Things to Know About Kayak Tours in Tonga

Guided kayaking tours are very limited in Tonga, so be sure to check out the listings below to understand what’s available and if they are the right option for you
You don’t need prior kayaking experience to enjoy kayaking tours in Tonga. Guides will give you instructions on how to paddle efficiently. Sea kayaks used in tours are very stable
The best time for multi-day kayaking tours is between June and October when sea conditions tend to be at their calmest.

For more kayaking tips, be sure to head to The Complete Guide to Kayaking in Tonga.

Friendly Islands Kayak Company (FIKCO)

Offering the most comprehensive and diverse range of kayaking tours across two different island groups in Tonga, the Friendly Islands Kayak Company, also known as FIKCO, is a no-brainer for anyone serious about kayaking or those simply looking for an adventurous yet still approachable way to explore Tonga. They offer a range of day trips and multi-day trips in Vava’u and a couple of options in Ha’apai. Tours are only available between June and October.

Trips are typically with two guides, including a Canadian and a local, and allow you to experience two styles of holidays; staying in the comfort of island resorts or stopping off at island villages and beaches for camping (camping equipment is provided). All transfers to your accommodation or the local airport are also included in the tours.

Kayaking Day Tours in Vava’u

Swallows’ Cave & Kapa Island – A 6-hour tour including the time to snorkel at Swallows’ Cave and have lunch at Kapa Island in Vava’u
Port of Refuge – Learn about the nature of the Port of Refuge in Vava’u on this 6-hour tour with the opportunity to snorkel.

Multi-Day Kayaking Tours in Vava’u

Vava’u 3-Day Sampler – An easy kayaking tour including camping and some meals
Vava’u 5-Day Special – Five days of kayaking and three days of camping are included, as well as some meals
Vava’u 5-Day Discovery – Kayaking, snorkelling and/or scuba, whale-watching and island hopping are included, as well as resort accommodation and some meals
Vava’u 6-Day Treasure Island Eco Resort – Enjoy kayaking and spending five nights at one of Tonga’s most premium resorts with all meals included
Vava’u 8-Day Adventure – A mix of resort accommodation and camping are included in this action-packed tour with other adventure activities
Vava’u 8-Day Classic – This 8-day alternative spends more time kayaking than doing other activities with a mix of resort and camping accommodations included
Vava’u 10-Day Island Explorer – This comprehensive tour has seven days of kayaking with resort and camping accommodation included, as well as two nights’ accommodation pre/post the tour.

Ready to hit Vava’u? We don’t blame you! Discover the logistics of getting there in our Vava’u Transport Guide and discover more ways to spend your time in the 50 Best Things to Do in Vava’u.

Multi-Day Ha’apai Kayak Tours

Ha’apai 7-Day Serenity Eco-Resort – Combine kayaking and the resort experience with three days of kayaking, whale watching and snorkelling. Accommodation and some meals are included
Ha’apai 11-Day Tropical Expedition – An 11-day kayaking and camping tour to a remote island in the Lifuka Group. The tour includes some meals and two nights’ accommodation pre/post the tour.

Learn more about the paradisical islands of Ha’apai in The Complete Travel Guide to Ha’apai and the 50 Best Things to Do in Ha’apai.

[CLOSED] Flying Coconut Powered & Paddled Kayak Tours

See uninhabited islands of the Vava’u Group in a unique way with the Flying Coconut Powered & Paddled Kayak Tours. Explore the west side of the archipelago with a guide in your choice of a standard kayak or a unique powered kayak. Their kayak base is at the Houmelei Old Harbour.

Powered Kayak Tour

Choose either the morning or afternoon tour to get in a specialised powered kayak with no paddling needed! Whiz around the coral reefs, beaches and remote islands with speed on this 2h30min tour. Optional additions to the tour include lunch at a resort, a culture tour in a local village, a kart safari land tour and more.

Paddled Kayak Tour

Take your time and enjoy classic kayaking on this guided paddled kayak tour. The morning tour lasts approximately 5h30mins and includes snorkelling gear for the snorkelling hotspots you’ll visit, as well as a packed lunch.

[CLOSED] Taufatahi Charters

Aside from whale swimming and island-hopping boat tours, this tour operator also offers guided kayaking tours. Taufatahi Charters is based in Tongatapu, offering a rewarding way to see some of Tongatapu’s outer islands on a full-day kayaking tour.

Kayak Island-Hopping Tour

This full-day all-inclusive kayaking tour begins on the shores of a lagoon on the eastern side of Tongatapu. Accommodation pick-up is available to take you to the launch point where you’ll start off the tour gliding across a lagoon to the island of Makaha’a. After a short stop at the island, you’ll continue to more open water on a journey to Pangaimotu Island where you’ll be served lunch at the Big Mama’s cafe. After lunch, you’ll enjoy a final crossing to Nuku’alofa.

Kayak Hire on the Holonga Lagoon

Taufatahi Charters also offers freedom kayak hire from the village of Holonga. There are single and double kayaks available to explore the lagoon and see famous landmarks like Captain Cook’s Landing Site from a new perspective.

More About Kayak Tours in Tonga

That’s it for our guide to the kayak tours in Tonga. For more about getting out on the remarkable waters of Tonga, take a look at the following:

Finally, 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.

Author

Laura (Lola) 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