The Wedding & Honeymoon Guide to Tongatapu

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How to Get to Tongatapu

Most couples arrive in Tongatapu via an international flight. However, Tongatapu is also connected to the rest of the world via a cruise ship port, as well as the rest of the islands of Tonga with a ferry terminal in Nuku’alofa. Find out more about transport on Tongatapu here. Meanwhile, here are some ideas for getting around on a honeymoon.

Flights to Tongatapu

Tongatapu is connected to the world via Fua’amotu International Airport. Direct flights to Fua’amotu Airport are available from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, which you can learn more about in Which Airlines Fly Straight to Tonga?. Domestic flights between Tongatapu and Tonga’s other islands are also available at the domestic terminal.

Accommodation Shuttles

Getting between the airport and your chosen Tongatapu accommodation is often best done with airport shuttles offers by many accommodations. Not only are they cheaper than taking a taxi, but airport/accommodation shuttles offer a convenient door-to-door service.

Rental Cars on Tongatapu

For a more private and intimate experience, some couples prefer to hire a car on Tongatapu. Rental cars are available in Nuku’alofa, Fua’amotu Airport and Liahona. Note that before you rent a car, you need a Visitor’s Driver’s License, which can be picked up from the Traffic Department on Bypass Road in Nuku’alofa. Check out The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu for recommendations.

For more about travelling to Tongatapu by cruise ship or getting around by bicycle hire, buses and more, see 10 Ways to Get to Tongatapu (& Around Tongatapu).

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Honeymoon Activities on Tongatapu

Tongatapu is an island of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, gorgeous island landscapes and rich island culture. Here are just some of the more romantic ways to enjoy the island on a honeymoon…

Kayak Together

Nothing tests a relationship quite like working together in a double kayak. But don’t worry, once you master it, gliding across the glistening waters of Tongatapu, visiting off-shore islands or exploring the coastline feels amazing. Kayaks are available to hire from many of the resorts on Tongatapu. An awesome alternative option is a kayak island-hopping tour with Taufatahi Charters. The tour includes transfers to Holonga where you’ll paddle across a tranquil lagoon, stopping at Makaha’a Island before continuing to Pangaimotu Island for lunch.

Enjoy a Long Walk on the Beach

It might sound cliche, but long walks on the beach are a pretty romantic way to spend your time together on Tongatapu. Not only that, but the beaches here are often deserted, setting the mood for feeling alone together in paradise. Find hidden gems like Keleti Beach or get fantastic beach lookouts, for instance over Hufangalupe Beach. Learn more about beaching on Tongatapu in The Guide to Beaches on Tongatapu.

Swim with Majestic Humpback Whales

An experience you’ll be undoubtedly talking about for the rest of your lives together is that time you went swimming with humpback whales in Tonga. These gentle giants come to Tonga’s waters between July and October each year to breed and calve, giving travellers the opportunity to see these awe-inspiring creatures in their natural environment. See how you can have this experience for yourselves with eco-friendly operators in the 8 Best Whale Swim Tours on Tongatapu.

See much more suggestions for things to do in our 8 Romantic Activities on Tongatapu for Couples. Plus for more things to do in Nuku’alofa, see 6 Romantic Activities in Nuku’alofa for Couples.

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Getting Married on Tongatapu

Many couples dream of an island wedding in the South Pacific. Unlike other destinations in the South Pacific though, Tonga does present some hurdles for couples wishing to elope. For instance, couples who are both non-citizens of Tonga must reside in Tonga for at least one month before applying for a marriage license. Only then can you apply to a Principal Immigration Officer to get permission to marry in Tonga then you will need to provide a number of legal documents to the Immigration Office along with an approximate TOP$345 fee. See more details at How to Organise Your Wedding in Tonga.

But not all is not lost, as there is a legal act in process in the Tongan Government aiming to change some of these conditions for couples wishing to elope in Tonga. This article will be updated when appropriate.

Wedding Venues on Tongatapu

For couples lucky enough to get married on Tongatapu, there are a few stunning venues to celebrate your special day.

One of the most popular venues to get married in Tongatapu is at the Vakaloa Beach Resort. There are a number of spaces to conduct various aspects of your big day, from a ceremony on the beach to a reception in a spacious dancehall where it’s possible to organise live Tongan entertainment and a Tongan feast complete with a spit-roast.

For a more convenient location in the city, the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel offers wedding venues, along with professional staff to make sure every detail is to your liking. Venues include the Talanoa Room, an indoor setting seating up to 180 people, while The Festival Lawn is the ideal choice for a more lavish outdoor affair.