The Complete Travel Guide to The Niuas

(c) Eunice Pongipongi

Niuatoputapu

Niuatoputapu, meaning “Sacred Island”, is located approximately 375 km (230 mi) north of Vava’u. The island rises 157 m (516 ft) and is an eroded old volcano. There are three villages on Niuatoputapu, including the largest one in The Niuas, Hihifo. Here, you will find a police station, a small store, government offices and a post office. The other villages are Vaipoa and Falehau.

Features of the island include white sandy beaches with lagoons, villages with traditional thatched fales (houses), and a 157 m-high volcanic peak where you can get amazing views.

10 Things to Do on Niuatoputapu

1. Hike to the peak of Niuatoputapu
2. Catch a boat to Tafahi
3. Take a dip in the Hihifo Freshwater Spring
4. Snorkel or scuba dive among the island’s untouched coral reefs
5. Relax on an unspoiled beach
6. Listen to the singing at a Sunday church service
7. Visit a local school and donate supplies
8. Do some whale watching from the beaches or the peak
9. Join a local fisherman for some fishing
10. Experience a Tongan barbecue.

For more details on the activities mentioned, see the 10 Best Things to Do on Niuatoputapu, as well as the 15 Things to Do in The Niuas.

(c) Garth Rogers on Wikipedia

Tafahi

Tafahi is the most recognisable island in The Niuas, being an extinct stratovolcano with a perfectly cone-shaped mountain. The 3.42 km² (1.32 mi²) island sits approximately 9 km (5.6 mi) north of Niuatoputapu. It’s the highest island in The Niuas, reaching 560 m (1,840 ft) high.

There is one village on the island with a primary school. The only way to access the island is on small boats, as there is a small opening in the fringing reef which is impassable for larger boats. Visitors can get to the island by negotiating with fishermen on Niuatoptupa, who make the crossing most days.

Things to Do on Tafahi

• Hire a guide to hike to the summit of the volcano – you can see Samoa on a clear day!
• Donate school supplies to the local primary school
• Do some fishing with a local on your way between Tafahi and Niuatoputapu…

Learn more about the island in the 15 Best Things to Do in The Niuas.

(c) Google Maps

Niuafo’ou

The most remote island in Tonga and one of the remotest islands in the world, Niuafo’ou sits 100 km (60 mi) west of Niuatoputapu. The island is much different geologically than its neighbour. The volcanic-rimmed island has a large crater with a freshwater lake called Vai Lahi. The coastline is mostly rocky cliffs with a handful of black-sand beaches. The volcano on Niuafo’ou is an active one where there have been 10 major eruptions in the past 150 years.

While Niuafo’ou has its own distinct culture and attractions, it is also famous for its usual postal service, which ended only in 1931 but the legend is still widely known today! Niuafo’ou used to be known as “Tin Can Island”, as the only way post could be delivered to the island, with no anchorage or landing site, was for passing supply ships to put mail in a biscuit tin and toss it overboard. An islander would then swim out to retrieve the tin. The postal service only changed when the swimmer was taken out by a shark…

8 Things to Do on Niuafo’ou

1. Check out Vai Lahi, the “Big Lake”
2. Taste the local delicacy ‘ofato – a large grub only found on this island
3. Look out for the rare Tongan megapode
4. Experience village life in one of the island’s 10 villages
5. Listen to the singing at a Sunday church service
6. Join the locals for a canoeing trip across Vai Sii, the “smaller lake”
7. Do some whale watching from the shores between July and October
8. Go for a drive around the caldera with the locals.

For more details on the activities mentioned, see the 10 Things to Do on Niuafo’ou, as well as the 15 Best Things to Do in The Niuas.