The Wedding & Honeymoon Guide to Ha’apai

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How to Get to Ha’apai

Ha’apai is accessible via a flight from Tongatapu and ferry services from Tongatapu and Vava’u. To jump straight into your honeymoon and to enjoy amazing scenery, we recommend treating yourself to a flight to get to and from the islands of Ha’apai.

Flights to Ha’apai

Tonga’s domestic airline operates two, and sometimes three, flights a day between Fua’amotu Airport on Tongatapu and Salote Pilolevu Airport on Lifuka Island. Flights last approximately 50 minutes.

Accommodation Transfers

Due to the lack of public transport on the islands, resorts offer their own accommodation transfers from the airport. This will be for an extra fee and must be arranged before arrival.

Bicycle Hire on Ha’apai

With limited taxi services and no car hire, a way for couples to explore the islands independently is by hiring a bike. Many of the resorts and guest houses offer either free or very affordable full-day bike hires, while bikes can also be rented from the Mariner’s Cafe in Pangai.

Learn more about transport in the islands in the 5 Ways to Get to Ha’apai (& Around Ha’apai).

(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Honeymoon Activities in Ha’apai

You can find romance in just about all of the experiences in the Ha’apai Group, between sharing a life-changing experience swimming with whales to rejuvenating together in a yoga session. But for something extra special, here are a few of our top picks…

Have a Private Island Experience

Be whisked away with your loved one to your own private island for the day (or for 10 days)! Sea Change Eco Retreat offers the opportunity for couples to spend the day on one of the resort’s nearby micro-islands surrounded by stunning coral reefs and fringed with soft white sand. You’ll be equipped with snorkelling gear, beach towels and a picnic lunch to make the most of the experience, as well as a radio to call up the crew when you’re ready to leave (if you’re ever ready). Alternatively, get the full Robinson Crusoe experience spending 10 days on Luahako Island staying in a traditional Tongan fale – this experience can be organised through Sandy Beach Resort and Matafonua Lodge.

Do Horseback Riding

There’s something quite romantic about seeing your other half riding a majestic steed! Horse riding is a way of life on the islands of Ha’apai, mainly used as a way of getting around. Sandy Beach Resort and Matafonua Lodge offer guests the opportunity to do horse riding from a local village, where you’ll embark on a journey through tropical forest, ride across a sandy beach and even take your horse for a swim.

Treat Her to a Private Dining Experience

Resorts, such as Sea Change Eco Retreat, offer guests the opportunity to amp up their dining experience in Ha’apai free of charge! They’ll organise a private candlelit dinner on the beach while under the stars or prepare a picnic for you to explore Uolevu Island and have lunch in your own piece of paradise.

For more ideas, head to the 10 Romantic Activities in Ha’apai for Couples.

(c) Pexels

Getting Married in Ha’apai

We know what you’re thinking: the soft white sands, glistening waters and swaying tropical palms make Ha’apai the perfect location for an island wedding. But with couples who elope in Tonga having to jump over a few hurdles to legally get married in Tonga, the wedding industry has not really developed in Ha’apai… yet!

Currently, couples need to reside in Tonga for at least a month before they can begin to apply for a wedding license. Read up on all of the logistics in How to Organise Your Wedding in Tonga.

However, there is an act currently being discussed in the Tongan Government to make eloping in Tonga much easier for couples. We’ll update this article when more news happens!