Sailing Tours in Vava’u
Vava’u is renowned across the South Pacific for its amazing sailing grounds with interesting harbours, inlets and islands to explore. At the centre of the action is the Port of Refuge which provide safe anchorage for yachties. But for the non-sailor or the sailor-without-a-boat, how can you experience the joys of sailing in Vava’u? Well, there are two permanent sailing charters hanging outside of the Mango Cafe on Neiafu every year waiting to take adventurous travellers out on the water to show them the beauty of Vava’u. Here are some suggestions for ways to enjoy sailing in Vava’u!
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Best Boat Tours of Vava’u, as well as The Luxury Guide to Vava’u.
Sailing Events in Vava’u
Experiencing the sailor lifestyle isn’t just about hopping on a yacht and exploring the seas. There are a few excellent sailing events happening in the sailing capital of the South Pacific, Vava’u.
In Neiafu, The Port of Refuge Yacht Club holds yacht races every Friday afternoon between June and November. Meet the skippers at the Mango Cafe at around 4pm if you want to crew. Otherwise, it’s great fun watching the race from the bar, which starts around 5pm. The drinks and banter continue after that.
An unmissable annual event for yachties and non-yachties alike is the Vava’u Blue Water Festival. The regatta festival is held around late-September/early-October each year with a week-long of partying, fund-raising, yacht races and much more!
Check out more events throughout the year in Tonga in the Travelling Tonga: Month-by-Month Guide.
(c) James Blackwood - Tonga Ministry of TourismSouth Pacific Sea Adventures
Also known as Melinda Sea Adventures, South Pacific Sea Adventures offers a number of exciting experiences on two stunning yachts.
Luminescence is a purpose-built 2017 aluminium yacht with twin 150hp engines, while Emersion and a Century 3000 vessel with twin 225hp engines. Both yachts have sunshades, observation decks, storage, a toilet and easy access for swimming off the boat. Lunch, hot/cold drinks and snacks, wetsuits, jackets for windier days and an onboard skipper are also provided on their charters. The crew consists of Tongans who have grown up in Vava’u and know the area well to show you the hidden gems.
South Pacific Sea Adventures offers both day trips and multi-day trips, the former including a seven-hour trip swimming with the whales (in the whale season), checking out snorkelling hotspots and stopping by a few islands.
Learn more about South Pacific Sea Adventure’s whale swimming tour in the 10 Best Whale Swim Tours in Vava’u.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismThe Moorings & Sunsail
A long-established sailing charter in Vava’u, The Moorings & Sunsail provides charters out of catamarans and monohull ships that sleep up to 10 passengers. Bareboat and skippered charters are available.
While The Moorings offer tailored charters, a popular option is their 10-day sailing holiday throughout Vava’u. The itinerary takes you to a new island in the Vava’u Group each day, stopping at the historically significant Ile de Kapa Island, snorkelling at the landlocked lagoon of Hunga Island, stopping at the scenic horseshoe-shaped anchorage of Vaka’eitu Island, and the list goes on!
The base of The Moorings can be found in Neiafu at the old wharf near the Mango Cafe. Learn more about the Mango Cafe in the Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Vava’u.
(c) Tropical Yacht HolidaysTropical Yacht Holidays
Set sail on the Pearl of the Pacific for an all-inclusive yachting holiday in Vava’u. The luxury catamaran with Tropical Yacht Holidays features four queen cabins, one single cabin, air-conditioning, five toilets and six showers – basically, everything you need for a home-away-from-home on the ocean.
The all-inclusive holiday includes all meals, snacks, wines, local beers and soft drinks, water sports equipment and transfers to and from Vava’u Airport. Fishing rods are also on board. Learn more about the experience in the 10 Romantic Activities in Vava’u for Couples.
For more information on Tropical Yacht Holidays, check out their page on Viator and Tripadvisor.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismOno Sailing
For some day-sailing in Vava’u, check out Ono Sailing. Trips are on the SV Pukuri, a 40ft NZ Malcolm Tennant Design catamaran yacht with all the fixings for fishing.
Your captain is Jerry, who will show you a good time sports fishing, island-hopping and snorkelling at hotspots along the way. Lunch is also included in the day sails. The itinerary is usually pretty relaxed and flexible in true yachtie style. Pick-ups are available from any location in Vava’u. Pricing is on a per-person basis.
More About Tours for Sailing in Vava’u
