The Best Kayak Tours in Tonga

Guided Kayaking 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!

For more water adventures, check out the 10 Best Water Activities in Tonga.

Tips for Kayaking in Tonga

Kayaks are often available to hire for free at most of Tonga’s beach accommodation providing you are a guest
When hiring a kayak, be sure to ask resort staff for the best places to explore (and ask about places to avoid for your own safety)
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
Not all kayak hires include lifejackets for children, so if you’re kayaking with little ones, consider taking their own lifejackets or safety vests.

For more kayaking tips, be sure to check out The Guide to Kayaking in Tonga.

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.

Find more things to do in Tongatapu in 10 Must-Dos in Tongatapu.

Friendly Islands Kayak Company

Offering the most comprehensive and diverse range of kayaking tours across two different island groups in Tonga, the Friendly Islands Kayak Company is a no-brainer for anyone serious about kayaking. They offer a range of day trips and multi-day trips in Vava’u and a couple of options in Ha’apai. All transfers to your accommodation are included in the tours.

Kayak Day Tours

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 Vava’u Kayak Tours

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 7-Day Tropical Escape – Island-hop around Vava’u staying in 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 accommodation 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.

Check out more things to do in Vava’u with our 10 Must-Dos 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 8-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.

Check out more things to do in Ha’apai Group with our 10 Must-Dos in Ha’apai.

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.

More About Kayak Tours in Tonga

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