The Guide to Cycling in Tonga

What You Need to Know About Biking in Tonga

Forget contributing CO² emissions through car rental or being inside a tour van all day, experience a breath of fresh air and the ultimate freedom by cycling in Tonga! Cycle hire is relatively abundant on the main islands of Tonga where you can enjoy rides on (mostly) smooth, flat and quiet roads. Ride from natural wonders to historical attractions and get a slice of life by cycling through remote villages. We’ll guide you through the practicalities of hiring a bike and joining guided bike tours, as well as share some amazing bike routes to explore the islands.

Cycling Tips for Tonga

If you plan to do long trips, bring your own puncture repair kit
Always ask for the newest bike
Be aware of the local traffic laws – we outline the major ones in Is it Easy to Drive in Tonga?
You may need your passport number and a security deposit for some hires
Take plenty of water and snacks to replenish and keep hydrated in the tropical sun

For a complete list of tips and things you need to know about biking in Tonga, take a look at the 10 Tips for Cycling in Tonga.

Where to Rent a Bike

Bike rental is relatively abundant in Tonga, with bike hire available on the four major island groups that tourists visit. Guesthouses, resorts and independent bike rental outlets hire out bikes, with options from standard pushbikes to high-tech e-bikes. Some of the outlets for bike rental in each island group include…

Tongatapu

TongaBike, Kingdom Travel Centre, NOA Guesthouse, Liku’alofa Beach Resort, Tonga Holiday Villa and Heilala Holiday Lodge.

‘Eua

Taina’s Place and The Hideaway.

Ha’apai

Matafonua Lodge, Sandy Beach Resort, Ha’apai Beach Resort, Billy’s Resort, Lindsay Guesthouse, Evaloni Guesthouse, Tiulipe Guest House and Mariner’s Cafe.

Vava’u

Hakula Lodge and Friendly Islands Kayak Company.

Learn more about each bike rental company and their locations in Where to Rent Bicycles in Tonga.

The Cost of Bike Rental in Tonga

Bike rental is offered by some accommodations free-of-charge. Where you have to pay for bike hires, expect to pay around TOP$15-$30 for a full-day hire of a pushbike or mountain bike. E-bikes are around TOP$50 for a full-day hire.

Guided Bike Tours

Guided bike tours are a great way to get some local insight into the areas you are visiting, while also relieving the stress of navigating the islands with limited knowledge.

One of the main biking tours available in Tonga is the full-day mountain biking tour with the Friendly Islands Kayak Company in Vava’u. The 6-hour tour takes you through remote villages, on dirt roads through tropical plantations, and to the northern coast of ‘Utu Vava’u where you’ll witness some of the most stunning lookouts in Tonga. You’ll also visit a remote beach for swimming.

For a more leisurely bike tour, join the Tonga Holiday Villa in Nuku’alofa for their guided bike tour of Tongatapu. You’ll ride to various historical sites, royal sights and natural wonders with a local guide. Tours are often catered to your budget and time. They also offer driving tours and scooter hire (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Get more information on guided tours and self-guided bike tours in The Bike Tours in Tonga.

Cycling Routes

Cycling is a great way to explore the islands of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Lifuka and Foa (Ha’apai) and Vava’u. All but Vava’u are flat islands, making most rides quite leisurely. Roads are mostly sealed and well-maintained for a smooth ride. All but the roads in and around Nuku’alofa are quiet, while the driving speed limit is a maximum of 70km/h (40mph) so traffic is typically not an upset to cyclists.

Popular Cycling Routes in Tonga

Although it’s sometimes just fun to just ride and explore, we’ve put together some cycling route descriptions should you need a bit of inspiration of where to go. Check out the full descriptions at The Best Bike Trails in Tonga and The Best Cycling Routes in Tongatapu.

Nuku’alofa to Ha’amonga ‘a Maui, Tongatapu – 35km (21.7 miles) one-way
Nuku’alofa to Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes, Tongatapu – 15km (9.3 miles) one-way
Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu – 9km (5.6 miles) one-way
Tufuvai Beach to the Rock Gardens, ‘Eua – 14km (8.7 miles) one-way
Pangai to Homale’eia Beach, Ha’apai – 14km (9 miles) one-way
Neiafu to the ‘Utula’aina Lookout, Vava’u – 10km (6.2 miles) one-way

See The Best Bike Trails in Tonga for full route descriptions.

More About Cycling 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