Tonga is a stunning Kingdom in the South Pacific comprising of more than 170 islands. In the capital of Nuku’alofa and on the main island of Tongatapu, there are plenty of things to do in Tonga to make it a fantastic island destination to explore.
The highlights of Tonga include some of the best in the Pacific, with breathtaking blowholes, underground caves to swim in, bustling markets and outer islands to relax on that are within a short boat trip.
Here are 10 things to do in Tonga and tips for travel, transport and where to stay in Nuku’alofa.
- About Tonga
- Things to do in Tonga
Anahulu Cave
Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes
Tsunami Rock
Pangaimotu Island
Talamahu Market
Haʻamonga ʻa Maui
Royal Tombs
Sai’one Centenary Church
Three Headed Coconut - Accommodation
About Tonga and travel to Tonga, South Pacific
As New Zealander’s, Tonga is the closest international country we can fly to from Auckland, New Zealand. The flight time is just under three hours. And unlike some of the other South Pacific Islands, it is in the same time zone as well.
We’ve visited Tonga twice in the last few years.
Tonga became known worldwide as the Friendly Islands for the reception given to Captain James Cook on discovery in 1773.
It is an awesome place to visit. And travel to Tonga definitely lives up to those original friendly and tropical assumptions!
10 Highlights and things to do in Tonga
In no particular order, here are 10 things to do in Tonga that we reckon make it absolutely worth a visit!
1. Anahulu Caves
These are cavernous limestone caves with freshwater pools inside. The path down into the caves is lit dimly, so bring a torch light of some sort.
The pools are deep at the inner end of the cave and suitable for swimming. Or jumping off into if you are keen!
Anahulu Cave is situated in the village of Haveluliku on the Eastern Side of Tonga and only about a 30 minute drive from Nuku’alofa.
Trust me, it’s worth a swim there!
2. Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes
The Mapu’a Vaea or “Whistle of the Noble” are natural blowholes on the island of Tongatapu. The blowholes are accessed from the village of Houma.
It’s easy to find them by rental car with the help of signposts (and Google Maps).
With the crashing waves on the reef, natural channels in the volcanic rock create a plume-like effect when the water blows through forcefully.
It’s impressive! And mesmerising to watch.
3. Royal Tombs – Things to do in Tonga
One of the most historic things to do in Tonga is to stop and see the Royal Tombs.
There are twenty-two to twenty-eight Langi – or royal tombs – near Lapaha, in MuÊ»a, in the east of Tongatapu.
The tombs are stone vaults and platforms of earth with a stepped pyramid effect supported by carefully placed retaining walls.
These are the ancient burial sites of Tongan rulers and are considered a major historical and archaeological site in the South Pacific.
- Tip: If you are visiting alone, do not enter this sacred site. However if you are on a tour or with a local you can ask to enter the tomb site.
4. Maui Rock – Tsunami Rock – Things to do in Tonga
As well as featuring as one of the key highlights of Tonga, the large coral boulder of Maui Rock has been marked as one of the historical sights of the Kingdom of Tonga.
A nearby line of large coral boulders on the shores of Tongatapu may be evidence of one of the largest volcano-triggered tsunami’s the world has experienced.
Scientists believe the giant Maui Rock was brought 100m inland by the wave of a tsunami. However, Tongan legends recount the story of how Maui hurled this giant rock at a noisy rooster after being angrily awoken by the crowing of one of his fathers birds…
An interesting stop on a circuit of highlights around Tongatapu!
5. Pangaimotu Island – Things to do in Tonga
If you are looking for a place to relax and soak up some sun while in Nuku’Alofa, then a day trip to the resort island of Pangaimotu is the place to be.
Travel to Tonga isn’t complete without some island sun and relaxation after all!
The island of Pangaimotu is only a 10 minute ferry boat ride from Tongatapu.
It has a great restaurant, bar, and swimming beach, plus a now-famous sunken shipwreck which you can climb up and dive off!
6. HaÊ»amonga Ê»a Maui – Things to do in Tonga
Haʻamonga ʻa Maui is a stone trilithon located in Tonga, on the eastern part of the island of Tongatapu.
The name translates to ‘The Burden of Maui’. There are many legends that it was made by Maui, an important figure in Pacific mythology.
Though it is estimated likely it was built sometime around the 13th century as part of a royal compound.
What makes this stone structure so unique is that many things about the Ha’amonga are a mystery. Nobody knows for sure when it was built, who built it, why it was built, or how it was built!
7. Talamahu Market – Things to do in Tonga
The central market in town is a hub of colour and activity. There are rows of fresh fruit and vegetables and all kinds of handicrafts to choose from.
Beautifully woven fans, bags, mats, baskets, hats and Tongan Ngatu art pieces. Definitely worth a visit!
8. Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga – Things to do in Tonga
The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (also called the Centennial Church) is not just a local house of worship; it’s also the name of a religious denomination. It is a Methodist denomination in Tonga and the largest Christian denomination in the nation.
Without question, one of the best things to do in Tonga is to attend a church service. (See more below!).
Though a very special highlight is to visit the Sai’one Centenary Church or the ‘King’s Church’ near the Royal Palace.
In Nuku’Alofa the Sai’one Centenary Church is where Tonga’s royal family go each Sunday to worship. The beautiful large white church dominates the main road near the Royal Palace.
It is one of the most popular churches in Nuku’alofa for visitors to experience.
9. Attend a church service – Things to do in Tonga
On Sunday morning, even if like me you aren’t a regular church goer, I recommend attending a church service while in Tonga.
It is an uplifting and memorable experience and one of the highlights of Tonga.
There is nothing quite as impressive as the voices and music of a Pacific Island congregation, choir, and church band. And then there’s the colours of everyone dressed up in vibrant island dresses, tupenu and ta‘ovala…
Inspiring to say the least!
10. Three Headed Coconut Tree – Things to do in Tonga
One of the most unique things to do in Tonga is to stop by the famously signposted ‘Three Headed Coconut Tree’.
This is exactly as it sounds – it is a coconut tree with three seperate heads of fronds and coconuts!
Locals swear that this is the only coconut tree with three separate crowns in Tonga. Some say it is the only one of its kind in the whole South Pacific!
That’s got to be worth a stop, right?
Getting around Tongatapu
Tonga is easy to get around. It’s straightforward to get a taxi from the airport in Nuku’alofa into town. However, if you are staying in town the easiest way to get around is to walk.
There are two ways to explore the rest of the sights of the island – hire a rental car, or visit with a booked tour.
I have done both, but would say the easiest and most economical way to see the sights of Tonga would be by rental car.
We split our explorations into two days – one day for each side of the island.
On my first visit to Tonga I did a day tour with Teta Tours which I would highly recommend. This included Anahulu Cave, Maui Rock, the blowholes as well as a great time learning how to make tapa cloth.
Accommodation and where to stay in Nuku’Alofa
We stayed at two different places in Tongatapu.
Both were different, and both on the lower end of the budget scale.
I would recommend either.
- AirBnb: Misrica’s Guesthouse
Great location in Mataika. Safe parking, spacious compound with 2 guesthouses, basic but user-friendly kitchen, very friendly family run property.
- Hotel: Little Italy Hotel
This is a 22-room hotel in suburban Nuku’Alofa just a 15 minute walk to town; 2 minute drive. Popular restaurant onsite; spacious and very clean rooms; friendly staff.
Planning for Sunday and things to do in Tonga
Like Samoa, Rarotonga and many of the South Pacific Islands; Tonga is a religious Christian island country.
Sunday is observed as a sacred day where church and family are the priority.
Shops in Nuku alofa are shut on a Sunday with only the bare minimum of a few select tourist restaurants open.
The best option (like most tourists) is to make an afternoon trip out to Pangimotu or one of the other nearby islands.
More about planning for travel in Tonga and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on all the things to do in Tonga!
