How to Spend 5 Days in Tonga: A Selection of 5-Day Itineraries
Five days in Tonga is just enough time to sample a couple of island groups in The Kingdom. Depending on what type of traveller you are, we recommend different Tonga destinations to different people. See our compilation of the best five-day Tonga itineraries in the guide below! Whether you’re a couple on a honeymoon, a family on holiday, a budget backpacker, a luxury traveller or a foodie, you’ll find something to suit in this list of the best Tonga itineraries for five days!
Destinations Visited in Our Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days
Tonga is made up of a whopping 169 islands, so let us break down the main island groups that you will visit in these Tonga itineraries for five days.
Tongatapu
Tongatapu is often described as the “main island” of Tonga and is the arrival island of most tourists through Fua’amotu International Airport. Most of Tongatapu’s tourism is centred in the capital, Nuku’alofa, although a small selection of treehouse and beach resorts can be found on the island’s eastern side. Find out more about these destinations in The Complete Guide to Tongatapu and The Complete Guide to Nuku’alofa.
‘Eua
‘Eua is an island less than 20 km (around 11 mi) southeast of Tongatapu and is Tonga’s oldest island. It is one of Tonga’s more “rugged” islands with weathered coastal formations split by endearing beaches. The island is a must for nature lovers, being home to the ‘Eua National Park, as well as those looking to effortlessly immerse in village life. Find out more about ‘Eua in The Complete Guide to ‘Eua.
Ha’apai
Ha’apai is the central island group of Tonga, made up of 62 islands – 45 of which are uninhabited. It’s where you’ll find white sand beaches leading into tranquil lagoons and islands of swaying palm trees. Ha’apai is relatively undeveloped but still has a good selection of eco-friendly beach resorts, as well as guesthouses in the island’s main village, Pangai. Learn more in The Complete Guide to Ha’apai.
Vava’u
Vava’u is the second-most northern island group of Tonga and home to Neiafu, which becomes a bustling centre for tourism, especially during the whale season. The main island, ‘Utu Vava’u, is connected to various islands via causeways, while the rest of the 50+ islands of the group are compactly scattered across the archipelago. Learn more about Vava’u in The Complete Guide to Vava’u.
Another island group of Tonga is The Niuas, three islands far-flung in the northern reaches of Tonga. Due to the distance therefore infrequent flights and ferries, getting to this island group on a five-day trip is not viable.
(c) tongapocketguide.comTonga Budget and Backpacking Itinerary for 5 Days
Budget travellers who only have five days in Tonga can still squeeze in some island-hopping and island exploration. We recommend experiencing Tongatapu and ‘Eua Island, both offering an array of budget guesthouses and backpacker resorts, as well as free natural and historical attractions. Plus, by only being 45 km (28 mi) apart, or less than 20 km (11 mi) coast to coast, travelling between the two islands is inexpensive.
Check out the recommended places to stay, attractions to visit and more in the complete Tonga Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days or check out the quick overview below.
Overview: 5-Day Budget Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Fly/Sail to ‘Eua
- Day 2 – Explore ‘Eua
- Day 3 – ‘Eua to Nuku’alofa
- Day 4 – Explore Tongatapu
- Day 5 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days.
(c) Tonga Ministry of TourismTonga Family Itinerary for 5 Days
For a quick family trip to Tonga, the islands of Tongatapu and ‘Eua are some of your best options. ‘Eua is a natural playground that kids will love, yet it’s only a 10-minute flight or a 2-hour ferry from Tongatapu, making it an easy and inexpensive destination for island-hopping for families. To wrap up this Tonga Family Itinerary: 5 Days, you’ll enjoy a couple of days in the capital, Nuku’alofa, which strikes the right balance of cosmopolitan, culture and even nature with island trips available from the wharf.
Overview: 5-Day Family Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Fly to ‘Eua
- Days 2 & 3 – Explore ‘Eua
- Day 4 – ‘Eua to Nuku’alofa
- Day 5 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Family Itinerary: 5 Days.
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© TongaPocketGuide.comTonga Honeymoon and Romance Itinerary for 5 Days
With gorgeous white-sand beaches, glistening waters and swaying coconut palms, we suggest that couples with only five days in Tonga head straight to the tranquil and idyllic Ha’apai islands! Toward the end of our Tonga Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days, we recommend checking out the capital, Nuku’alofa, to enjoy some historic sites and a variety of cuisines before leaving Tonga.
Get the honeymoon and romance itinerary overview below.
Overview: 5-Day Honeymoon and Romance Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Fly to Ha’apai
- Days 2 & 3 – Explore Ha’apai
- Day 4 – Ha’apai to Nuku’alofa
- Day 5 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days.
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© TongaPocketGuide.comTonga Food Itinerary for 5 Days
Five days in Tonga is the perfect timeframe to hit the foodie highlights of Tonga. In our Tonga Food Itinerary: 5 Days, we take you to Tonga’s two major food hubs, Nuku’alofa in Tongatapu and Neiafu in Vava’u. You’ll experience an array of Tongan and international restaurants, as well as foodie experiences like Tongan feasts, bustling markets and plantation tours.
While our complete itinerary gives all the details, check out the quick destination overview below.
Overview: 5-Day Food Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Vava’u
- Day 2 – Explore Neiafu
- Day 3 – Vava’u to Nuku’alofa
- Day 4 – Explore Nuku’alofa
- Day 5 – Departure Day
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Food Itinerary: 5 Days.
(c) tongapocketguide.comTonga Luxury Itinerary for 5 Days
For a quick luxury getaway to some stunning South Pacific islands, this Tonga Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days is for you.
On a five-day trip, you can experience the delights of the capital of Tonga, as well as jet off to some of the finest sailing grounds in Vava’u. Whale swimming, scuba diving, big game fishing and simply indulging in doing nothing at all are all on the cards on a premium holiday in Tonga.
Check out the overview below of where to visit for the most luxurious experiences.
Overview: 5-Day Luxury Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Explore Tongatapu
- Day 2 – Tongatapu to Vava’u
- Day 3 – Explore Vava’u
- Day 4 – Vava’u to Nuku’alofa
- Day 5 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days.
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© TongaPocketGuide.comTonga Adults-Only Itinerary for 5 Days
An island escape without the kids (and undisturbed by other people’s) is an idyllic way to experience the South Pacific islands. Tonga is jumping on the adults-only accommodation trend, with lodges exclusively for adults in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu and on the islands of Ha’apai. Needless to say, these destinations are the main focus of our Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 5 Days.
See how we split the destinations over five days in the itinerary overview below.
Overview: 5-Day Adults-Only Itinerary for Tonga
- Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Nuku’alofa
- Day 2 – Nuku’alofa to Ha’apai
- Day 3 – Explore Ha’apai
- Day 4 – Ha’apai to Tongatapu
- Day 5 – Explore Tongatapu + Departure
- See the full itinerary: Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 5 Days.
More Tonga Itineraries
That’s it for the best Tonga itineraries for five days. If you can be more flexible with your travel dates, check out our other itineraries:
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 14 Days
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 7 Days
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 3 Days
Before you go, be sure to bookmark The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga and 31 Tips for Travelling in Tonga for even more tips!
