The Guide to Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Tonga

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The Best Places to SUP in Tonga

Stand-up paddleboarding is a fun and active yet not-too-exhausting way to explore the stunning waters and islands of Tonga, but where is the best destination for paddleboarding in Tonga? Well, it depends on who you ask, but here’s an overview of the best island groups for paddleboarding based on the general water conditions and SUP hire availability.

Ha’apai

Starting with, what we think, is the best place for paddleboarding in Tonga, Ha’apai has ideal conditions for SUP! The central island group might be a little expensive to get to, but many think it’s worth it to spend some time on tranquil islands with sweeping sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons. Ha’apai has a good selection of resorts offering SUP board and paddle hire, which you can make use of in the butter-flat lagoons in front of many of the resorts and beaches. When the swell is right, there are also fun little waves to surf.

Vava’u

Vava’u is a compact cluster of islands, often making for extremely sheltered conditions ideal for paddleboarding close to shore. Glide over shallow reefs in sheltered bays and explore some of its stunning uninhabited islands. While not many resorts offer SUP hire, they are sometimes available on sailing charters or worth bringing your own.

Tongatapu

Paddleboarding can be a fun way to explore the beaches and marine reserve off Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu Beach of Tongatapu, with some fun waves to try out for the more advanced SUPpers. Alternatively, some of the island resorts in the north of Tongatapu also offer complimentary SUP hire for guests, which are a good way to explore the sheltered waters surrounding them.

(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Resorts with Stand-Up Paddleboard Hire

While SUP is certainly not as popular in Tonga as kayaking, it’s fast becoming another inclusion for free hire at many of Tonga’s resorts. Here is a list of all of the known resorts and accommodations in Tonga with SUP boards and paddles for hire.

Resorts with SUP Hire in Tongatapu

• Liku’alofa Beach Resort
• Fafa Island Resort
• The Royal Sunset Resort

Resorts with SUP Hire in Ha’apai

• Matafonua Lodge
• Sandy Beach Resort
• Fanifo Lofa Kitesurf Tonga
• Sea Change Eco Retreat

Resorts with SUP Hire in Vava’u

• The Reef Resort

SUP boards are also included on sailing charters in Vava’u, such as with Tropical Yacht Holidays (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor). See The Best Tours for Sailing in Vava’u for more information.

For more details on each accommodation listed, check out the 10 Best Resort for SUP in Tonga.

(c) Pixabay

SUP Tours and Classes

Admittedly, options are limited when it comes to guided stand-up paddleboarding tours and classes, but currently, your most comprehensive SUP experiences can be found at Matafonua Lodge and Sandy Beach Resort in the Ha’apai group.

The sister resorts, located a short distance from each other on the tip of Foa Island, not only offer SUP hire for guests, but also have a range of tours. They have both sturdy inflatable SUP boards for beginners, as well as fibreglass boards in a range of sizes for the enthusiast.

The resort’s host daily SUP safaris, taking you to some hotspots around the island that are most suitable for the conditions. They also offer sunset tours where guides light up the reef with floodlights so you can see a coral reef and marine reserve in a whole new way.

Finally, the resorts also offer SUP fitness classes and SUP yoga classes, making them a popular destination for SUP and yoga retreats.