14-Day Luxury Itinerary for Tonga
For the discerning traveller who wants to get off-the-beaten-track and discover the real South Pacific, Tonga is the ideal destination. Forget about the manicured resorts of Fiji or Tahiti, this is the real deal where you’ll be staying on pristine islands in traditionally-thatched fales (beach huts) with modern comforts. You’ll have access to exclusive activities, like swimming with huge humpback whales, fishing for exciting game species and sailing remarkably tranquil sailing grounds. That’s not to say that you won’t get your downtime, where a hammock on a secluded beach is never too far away… We’ll go through a spectacular way to see Tonga in two weeks in this Tonga luxury itinerary for 14 days.
Note that this itinerary is for the traveller who wants to move around and see it all. For a more relaxing itinerary, take a look at How to Spend 14 Days on a Luxury Tonga Vacation TI052.
How to Get Around Tonga in 14 Days
The itinerary below involves both overland and overwater travel. While we include some transport advice in the itinerary below, here’s a quick overview of how to get around Tonga on a luxury getaway.
Road Transport in Tonga
The main islands in Tongatapu and Vava’u have roads where taxis, accommodation transfers, guided tours and car rentals are available. When arriving at any of the airports listed on this itinerary, we recommend arranging for your accommodation to transfer you, as they’ll be waiting at the airport for you when you arrive.
Overwater Transport in Tonga
For a luxury getaway, we recommend taking flights between the main island groups. Not only will you experience stunning island scenery but it’s the fastest and most convenient way to get between the islands. Note that no flights operate on a Sunday. For getting to island resorts, resorts offer their own boat transfers, which need to be arranged before arrival.
Learn more about transport in each of the destinations mentioned in the following guides:
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 1 – Fua’amotu Airport to Nuku’alofa
Travel time: 30 minutes
Welcome to Tonga and the main island of the Kingdom, Tongatapu! After landing in Fua’amotu International Airport, you’ll be whisked away with an accommodation transfer to your luxury apartment in the nation’s capital, Nuku’alofa. Dine at one of the fabulous restaurants as listed in the 5 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa and recover from your flight.
Luxury Accommodation in Nuku’alofa
While there are no five-star hotels in Nuku’alofa, here are our top recommended four-star accommodation recommendations:
- Villa Apartments Westside
- Villa Apartments Eastside
- Tanoa International Dateline Hotel
- Emerald Hotel & Restaurant
- Seaview Lodge & Restaurant
- Waterfront Lodge
- Captain Cook Apartments
Find out more about each apartment or hotel in our 7 Best Luxury Accommodation in Nuku’alofa.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 2 – Explore Tongatapu
Take today to explore some of the amazing land attractions on Tongatapu. How about playing at Tonga’s only golf course or shopping for unique arts and crafts at the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre? If you’re feeling active, we recommend taking a tour of Tongatapu to see some of its natural and historic wonders. See the intriguing Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, otherwise known as the Stonehenge of the South Pacific. Go for a dip in the ‘Anahulu Cave or see the wonderous Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes! There are plenty of tour options available, including a private tour of Tongatapu with Tonga Travel Troupe (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor).
Luxury Land Activities in Tongatapu
- See the top sights around Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu on a private tour
- Enjoy a private transfer to a Tongan feast inside Hina Cave
- Shop for unique Tongan arts and crafts
- Play at Tonga’s only golf course
- Indulge in an island massage
- Dine at one of the island’s delectable restaurants
Discover more about each experience in our 10 Luxury Activities on Tongatapu, as well as our 7 Luxury Activities in Nuku’alofa.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 3 – Nuku’alofa to Fafa Island
Travel time: 30 minutes
It’s time to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and head to one of Tongatapu’s most luxurious outer island resorts, Fafa Island Resort. Stay in a gorgeous beachfront fale (beach hut) and make this your base for your water activities, as well as relaxation, for a few more days in Tongatapu.
The boutique Fafa Island Resort is set among 18 acres (7ha) of palms and sandy shores. You’ll be able to dine at their open-air restaurant and sip cocktails at the bar. Find out more about this accommodation and more in the 9 Best Luxury Accommodation on Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 4 – Fafa Island
Fafa Island is an excellent base for doing some of Tongatapu’s top water activities. Almost all boat trips and excursions pick up from Fafa Island, while the island resort itself also offers a few in-house options. Paddleboards, kayaks and snorkelling gear are available for guests to use, free of charge. Otherwise, treat yourself to a Tonga must-do, like fishing, going on a snorkelling excursion, scuba diving or swimming with majestic humpback whales.
Luxury Water Activities from Fafa Island
- Enjoy a private fishing charter
- Swim with beautiful humpback whales
- Go scuba diving among caves and coral reefs
- Enjoy a full-day boat charter with island-hopping and snorkelling
Discover more about each experience in our 10 Luxury Activities on Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 5 – Fafa Island to Ha’apai
Travel time: 30 minutes boat, 30 minutes drive to the airport, 50 minutes flight.
From one island paradise to the next, it’s time to leave Fafa Island and make your way to the Ha’apai Islands! After transfers by boat then by taxi to Fua’amotu Airport’s domestic terminal, you’ll take a scenic 50-minute flight to Lifuka Island, the main hub of Ha’apai.
Ha’apai’s 62 breathtaking islands are where you’ll enjoy a classic South Seas experience of white sandy shores, tranquil turquoise waters and swaying palms. The resorts here are small and mostly revolve around sustainable living. Again, there are no five-star resorts but here are the next best options…
Luxury Accommodation in Ha’apai
- Sandy Beach Resort
- Serenity Beaches Resort
- Matafonua Lodge
- Sea Change Eco Retreat
- The Lolofutu Beach Barn
- Whale Discoveries Live-Aboard
- Fanifo Lofa Kite Surfing Tonga
Find out more about each accommodation in the 7 Best Luxury Accommodation in Ha’apai.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismDay 6 – Ha’apai
Ha’apai is a place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself. This is easy to do so through island massages and yoga sessions. However, if you’re feeling more active, you’ll have another chance to swim with humpback whales (July-October). Ha’apai’s sheltered lagoons also provide an opportunity to kitesurf or do some Hobie cat sailing from your resort.
Luxury Activities in Ha’apai
- Swim with gorgeous humpback whales
- Indulge in an island massage
- Rejuvenate the body, mind and soul in a yoga class
- Hit Tonga’s famous kitesurfing spot
- Learn how to sail
For more details on each experience, see the 10 Luxury Activities in Ha’apai.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismDay 7 – Ha’apai
Yes, you’re still here in this island paradise, where there are more ways to be entertained if you’ve done all the things you wanted to do off of the list from yesterday. Otherwise, we definitely have more recommendations on how to spend your time in Tonga’s central island group.
More Luxurious Things to Do in Ha’apai
- Explore the islands on horseback
- Tackle game fish on a fishing charter
- Get the castaway experience on a private island day trip
- Be treated to dinner on the beach
- Scuba dive among untouched coral
Again, more details on each experience can be found in the 10 Luxury Activities in Ha’apai.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 8 – Ha’apai
Scuba diving among untouched coral, swimming with baby whales and their mothers, relaxing in a hammock on the beach: Ha’apai really has it all. And even if somehow you’ve managed to do all of the activities listed from the two previous days, you can still find more inspiration in our list of the 10 Must-Dos in Ha’apai.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 9 – Ha’apai to Vava’u
Travel time: 2 hours via Tongatapu (flights are no longer available directly between Ha’apai and Vava’u)
Arrange with your accommodation provider to transfer you to Salote Pilolevu Airport on Lifuka Island where you’ll catch a flight to your next amazing destination, Vava’u.
Vava’u is a collection of around 61 islands providing accommodation and experiences that are best described as “rugged luxury”. You could be spending your time here staying in a fale of a remote boutique resort or even treating yourself to a multi-day stay on a chartered sailing yacht. After all, Vava’u is some of the best sailing grounds in the South Pacific!
Luxury Accommodation in Vava’u
- Tonga Beach House
- Mandala Resort
- Mala Island Resort
- Reef Resort
- Mouna Island Resort
- Hakula Lodge
- Lupetea Apartment
- Treasure Island Eco Resort
Learn more about each accommodation in the 8 Best Luxury Accommodation in Vava’u. Plus, see sailing yachts you can charter and stay in The Best Tours for Sailing in Vava’u.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismDay 10 – Vava’u
The question is, what is there not to do in Vava’u?! You’ll find a lot more experiences and variety in this island group than what you’ve seen on Tonga’s other island. There’s a wide range of whale swimming tours, fishing charters, scenic cruises, snorkelling tours, scuba diving excursions and more! It’s definitely worth getting out on the water, with highlights being the Blue Marlin fishing and sailing from cave to cave.
Luxury Water Activities in Vava’u
- Scuba dive among stunning coral
- Hire a sailing charter and explore the islands
- Catch marlin and GT on a fishing excursion
- Swim with humpback whales
- Do an island cruise
- Hit some amazing kitesurfing grounds
Learn more about these activities in the 10 Luxury Activities in Vava’u.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 11 – Vava’u
After doing some snorkelling from your resort, perhaps spotting a couple of whales breaching in the distance, you might want to spend the day on dry land. Relax with a soothing yoga class, indulge in cuisine fresh from the ocean, or you could even take an excursion to Neiafu. Neiafu is Tonga’s second-largest town and home to some wonderful arts and crafts shopping where you’ll be able to purchase some unique pieces from the South Pacific.
Luxury Land Activities in Vava’u
- Indulge in some delightful Tongan-inspired cuisine
- Do an island yoga class
- Relax with a soothing massage
- Shop for unique arts and crafts
Get more details in the 10 Luxury Activities in Vava’u.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 12 – Vava’u
Perhaps you’ll use this day as your third whale swim of the holiday? Seriously, it never gets old! Maybe you’re on the last day of your sailing charter around the stunning islands of Vava’u. Or maybe you’re enjoying your last full day to relax and not worry about anything for your last full day in Tonga without having to travel.
However, if you need more inspiration for things to do, see if you’ve ticked everything off the 10 Must-Dos in Vava’u list!
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 13 – Vava’u to Nuku’alofa
Travel time: 1 hour
It’s time to leave your island paradise behind, but why leave a day ahead of your scheduled flight out of Tonga? We recommend it because flights are frequently cancelled arriving and landing in Vava’u if the weather is bad and/or the visibility is low.
Arrange with your resort to transport you back to Lupepauʻu Airport where you’ll catch your flight over the scattering of islands decorating the ocean! You’ll land at Fua’amotu Airport where you can arrange for your accommodation to transfer you to your private luxury apartment in Nuku’alofa.
Spend your last evening dining in one of the city’s elegant restaurants and toasting to two weeks well-spent in Tonga.
Luxury Accommodation in Nuku’alofa
- Villa Apartments Westside
- Villa Apartments Eastside
- Tanoa International Dateline Hotel
- Emerald Hotel & Restaurant
- Seaview Lodge & Restaurant
- Waterfront Lodge
- Captain Cook Apartments
Check out the 7 Best Luxury Accommodation in Nuku’alofa for more details.
(c) tongapocketguide.comDay 14 – Nuku’alofa to Fua’amotu International Airport
Travel time: 30 minutes
It’s your last chance to pick up some spectacular souvenirs from the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre or the Talamahu Market. Perhaps have a coffee at the Friends Cafe and snap up a photo of the Royal Palace before heading to Fua’amotu International Airport one last time. Your accommodation should be able to transfer you. Otherwise, book a taxi from the information centre or the Friends Cafe in town.
Nofo a (goodbye) from Tonga!
More Luxury Itineraries for Tonga
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks
- Tonga Luxury Itinerary: 7 Days
- Tonga Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days
- The Luxury Travel Guide to Tonga
That’s it for our Tonga luxury itinerary: 14 days. Discover more exciting itineraries in the following compilations: The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 1 Week, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days and The Best Tonga Itineraries for a Weekend.
