Tonga Family Itinerary: 5 Days

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How to Get Around Tonga in Five Days

To really make the most of your five days in Tonga, you’re going to want to do both land and overwater travel. Although we give some travel tips in the itinerary, here’s a quick overview of transport in Tonga.

Road Transport in Tonga

Upon arrival to each island group in Tonga, accommodations typically offer airport transfers or car rental companies can deliver vehicles to the airport. Tongatapu also has taxis.

Check out How to Get an Airport Transfer in Tonga for more on the subject.

In addition to getting around Tongatapu and ‘Eua, particularly for sightseeing, guided tours such as the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Tonga are available.

Overwater Transport in Tonga

In this itinerary, we mostly recommend taking domestic flights between the island groups, which is the fastest and most convenient for most travellers – see Domestic Flights in Tonga: A Guide to Interisland Flights.

However, the ferry crossing between Nuku’alofa and ‘Eua isn’t too long and is much cheaper – see Tonga Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.

If you prefer to plan ahead, travellers can also book select ferry tickets online through the Tofa Ramsay Shipping website.

Note that no flights or ferries operate on a Sunday and both transport services are prone to cancellations due to bad weather; that’s why this itinerary allows for extra days at each destination, as well as leaves a day between domestic and international flights.

For all of your transport options across the islands, check out our Tonga Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around Tonga.

© Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Fly to ‘Eua

Travel time: 5 mins terminal transfers + 10 mins flight + 5-10 mins ‘Eua airport transfers.

Malo e leilei and welcome to Tonga! With no time to lose in getting your family holiday started, after you have gone through the arrival procedures, take a taxi to the domestic terminal and catch your short flight to ‘Eua! The 40 million-year-old island is less than 20 km (11 mi) from Tongatapu.

On arrival to ‘Eua, accommodation providers will pick you up from the airport/wharf or you can have a rental car delivered. Either way, you’ll likely be heading to your humble yet charming accommodation retreat or guesthouse.

Family Accommodation on ‘Eua

• ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House (Kiko’s)
• Tukia Complex
• Talei Guest House
• Seta’s Guesthouse
• Blue Water Retreat
• Pacific Sila Lodge

For more information on each accommodation and more, see the 5 Best Family Accommodations on ‘Eua.

Dining Recommendations

Hum, on ‘Eua there isn’t much. Either enjoy meals provided by your accommodation, self-cater with advice from A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Tonga, or check out The Complete Travel Guide to ‘Eua for the limited restaurant options.

Among these limited options, Toafa Café (Pangai) stands out with the most diverse menu on the island. The café offers homemade 12-inch pizzas ranging from classic Margherita to Island-Style Tuna Delight, as well as hearty dishes like tropical pancakes, big breakfasts and their signature TL burgers.

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Days 2 & 3 – Explore ‘Eua

Travel time: 30 mins – 1 hr drive for sightseeing (see The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga).

‘Eua is best described as a natural playground, which is why kids love it so much! Hop on one of The Best Guided Island Land Tours of ‘Eua or do it yourself on A Self-Guided Day Trip of ‘Eua to discover giant land bridges, limestone caves, ancient banyan trees and much more!

Alternatively, join a boat tour to see whales or keep things simple with a day at the beach.

Things to Do on ‘Eua with Kids

• Explore Lakufa’anga Cliffs to see the Rock Gardens, Li’anga Huo o Maui natural arch and wild horses
• Watch the whales from a boat or shore between July and October
• Tackle one of the island’s short walks
• Explore beaches and rockpools
• Cool off in Hafu Pool and check out the Big ‘Ovava Tree
• Experience ‘Eua’s natural waterslide, Heke Slide
• Explore it all on a 4WD tour!

Learn more about each experience in the 10 Things to Do in ‘Eua with Kids.

Dining Recommendations

Whatever you decided to do today, no doubt you worked up an appetite so treat yourself to one of the island’s very few restaurants. Talei’s Restaurant (north end of Pangai), formerly Fane’s Restaurant, serves all your comfort classics, from ika kelevi (fish in sauce) to fish and chips, chicken nuggets, sausages and more, all for a very affordable price.

They also run a well-appointed guesthouse and whale swimming tours which you can learn more about on the Talei’s Guest House website.

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Day 4 – ‘Eua to Nuku’alofa

Travel time: 5-10 mins airport/wharf transfer + 10 mins flight/2 hrs ferry + 30 mins Nuku’alofa airport transfer/5 mins Nuku’alofa wharf transfer.

Although it can be difficult to leave the ruggedly beautiful island of ‘Eua behind, we recommend leaving a day earlier than your scheduled outbound flight just in case the flight/ferry out of ‘Eua is rescheduled due to unfavourable weather conditions – it happens often! ‘Eua’s accommodations will transport your family to the airport or wharf.

Once you arrive back on Tongatapu, accommodation providers can transport you to your next exciting destination in Tonga, Nuku’alofa! Otherwise, taxis and car rentals are available.

Family Accommodation in Nuku’alofa

• Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant
• Tanoa International Dateline Hotel
• JeZAmi Hotel
• Seaview Lodge & Restaurant
• Fale Tonga Guesthouse
• Villa Ishadora
• NOA Guesthouse

See the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Nuku’alofa for more details.

Dining Recommendations

Probably the most out-of-place restaurant in the islands of the South Pacific, Little Italy Restaurant (Vuna Road – west side of the palace) transports you to Europe with its damn-good family-friendly pizzas.

A little further along from Little Italy, Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Vuna Road) offers upmarket European cuisine with Polynesian influences overlooking the waterfront. Under Head Chef Soane Fakatava’s expert guidance, you’ll find fresh seafood, premium steaks and traditional Tongan dishes alongside sophisticated European preparations. Happy hour runs daily from 4 pm to 6 pm.

For more recommendations, check out the 20 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa.

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Day 5 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure Day

Travel time: 30 mins airport transfer.

It’s your final day in The Kingdom, so make the most of it with some sightseeing or one of the 10 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa with Kids, especially if you are taking one of the evening flights out of Tonga.

Otherwise, treat yourself to an indulgent breakfast at the Friends Cafe, Cafe Escape or Coffee Post before getting a taxi to Fua’amotu International Airport for the final time on your family holiday.

Family Activities in Nuku’alofa

• Learn about Tongan traditions at Ancient Tonga
• Go on a snorkelling excursion or island day trip to swim with coral and tropical fish
• Shop for Tongan presents at the Talamahu Market
• See the whales between July and October
• Check out interesting sights, like the Royal Palace, Royal Tombs and more
• Play and have a picnic at Fa’onelua or Popua Park
• Have a coffee while the kids play at the playground at Tupu’anga Cafe
• Make your own tapa notebook, angel or doll at Fehoko Art & Tours.

For more information on each activity, take a look at the 10 Things to Do in Nuku’alofa with Kids.

Departure

Your accommodation should be able to transfer you to Fua’amotu Airport from Nuku’alofa. Otherwise, book a taxi from the information centre or the taxi ranks in town.

Remember to arrive at the airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the small selection of retail offerings.

For anything else you need to know about leaving Tonga, it’s all listed in our guide, Leaving Tonga: Departure Tips & Checklist.

And it’s “Nofo ā” (goodbye) to Tonga!