The Top 25 Resorts in Tonga 🏝️ [2024]

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Resorts in Tonga

Looking for that next resort holiday? Perhaps this time in a group of islands where you can truly connect with nature and the local culture, as well as enjoy more the simple things in life? Tonga offers an array of resorts in stunning locations, either on the beach, on a private island or even nestled in jungle. Tonga is renowned for having more uninhabited islands than developed islands, and you’ll get to experience the beauty of both on a resort getaway to this lesser-visited nook of the world. Check out some of the best stays on this list of the best resorts in Tonga!

Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country with some services that accommodations provide changing with little notice. While we try to keep our accommodation listings up-to-date, know that some services may have changed. If you have an update, feel free to reach out.

1. Matafonua Lodge (Ha’apai)

Scattered with elevated wooden beach fales (huts) and offering a huge array of experiences, Matafonua Lodge is the go-to for jam-packing your getaway with adventures. After a hard day’s swimming with whales, scuba diving with their PADI-affiliated instructors, kitesurfing or perhaps horse riding, retreat to either a double or family fale nestled in beachfront vegetation. Bathroom facilities are in shared blocks with rainfall showers and attractive tiling that feel as good as private. Dine at the on-site cafe open for breakfast, lunch and dinner or use the complimentary bikes to ride across Foa and Lifuka islands to get food in town. Airport transfers are available and don’t require the extra cost of a boat transfer. Get yourself adjusted to this island group using our guide on Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

Check Matafonua Lodge out:

2. The Reef Resort (Vava’u)

Boasting one of the most contemporary and upmarket resorts in Vava’u (and the whole of Tonga), The Reef Resort on Kapa Island is an ample choice for travellers who prefer modern comforts. Five bungalows are scattered among the gardens and directly on the beach, providing a tranquil retreat for guests. Bungalows feature a king canopy bed and an extra single or two bedrooms with a king and a queen. Dining is easily the main event here as European Polynesian cuisine is prepared by decorated German or Swiss chefs. Such dining experiences are welcome, especially after hiking over the island to the breathtaking bay of Port Mourelle or making use of the kayaks, a clear-bottom kayak, SUP boards and Hobie cat to explore the surrounding waters and nearby Japanese Coral Garden. Discover more about this island group in Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

Check The Reef Resort out:

3. Serenity Beaches Resort (Ha’apai)

A tranquil retreat on Uoleva Island, Serenity Beaches Resort is an idyllic choice in Ha’apai. Choose from unique open-air or fully-enclosed fales each nestled in a private section of forest and each with an outside garden bathroom. Either way, guests spend their time here doing yoga in the pavilion, dining on healthy meals made from fresh local ingredients in the homely dining fale, and making use of SUP boards, kayaks and snorkelling gear to explore the wonderful underwater world from beaches accessible from the front and back of the resort. The resort also operates whale swimming tours in the season, but your most frequent encounter with the whales will most likely be seeing them from the beach! See more romantic stays like this in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Serenity Beaches Resort out:

4. Treasure Island Eco Resort (Vava’u)

Get the real island experience at Treasure Island Eco Resort and its eight traditionally thatched fales. The resort on Eueiki Island in Vava’u has 48 acres (19 ha) of private island for its guests, offering an off-the-grid experience with solar power and a rainwater filtration system. Enjoy unique whale swimming experiences from the resort’s outrigger or enjoy complimentary use of kayaks, snorkelling gear and volleyball equipment. Meals are available as part of a meal plan at the on-site restaurant, and note that children under 12 are only allowed under special arrangements. The resort is open for the whale season until November. Learn more about this resort in the 10 Best Resorts in Vava’u.

5. Sea Change Eco Retreat (Ha’apai)

Escape from the modern world and worries and experience an alternative lifestyle at this off-the-grid resort on the uninhabited Uoleva Island. Sea Change Eco Retreat might be known across Ha’apai for its fantastic whale swimming tours, but it also offers a boutique resort experience staying in either safari tents with a comfortable double bed or a large wooden fale with an outdoor shower. Each accommodation is in its own little area of forest with various pathways leading straight onto the beach. Then straight from said beach, you can snorkel, kayak or paddleboard! Other activities on offer include yoga in their dedicated yoga shala, spa treatments in their beautiful massage fale, and sports fishing in May and June. There’s a choice of vegetarian or meat/seafood dishes in their compulsory meal plan, while drinks are available to purchase at the bar. Note that the resort is open from May to October. For more stays in this island group, check out the 10 Best Resorts in Ha’apai.

6. Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses (Tongatapu)

For something utterly unique, check out the lodges suspended in the trees at Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses. This handbuilt wonderland among the forests of Tongatapu‘s eastern side consists of two queen ensuite treehouses and one family treehouse, each distinctive and artistically finished. The property is a joy to explore between the communal lodge, fire pit, carved sculptures and suspended bridges leading to your fairy-light-lit abode. Watch the forest come to life at night with a fire show! While a light breakfast is included in the rate, breakfast and dinner are available to purchase should you not want to venture the 35 minutes it takes to get into Nuku’alofa. Note that there are children and dogs on the property. See more stays like (or more “unlike”) this in the 10 Most Unique Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Tukulolo Treehouses out:

Tukulolo Treehouses on Booking.com

7. Mala Island Resort (Vava’u)

Set on 20 acres (8 ha) of a stunning private island, Mala Island Resort provides an idyllic stay in Vava’u. You’ll have access to a white sandy beach with fantastic snorkelling just 3 m (10 ft) from the shore. The eight fales are decorated with beautiful tapa-cloth and woven panel walls with bed layouts of either two queens or one king bed. The ensuite bathrooms have hot water, while outside is your private deck boasting amazing island and ocean views. Relax in the open-air restaurant with an a la carte menu and free WiFi. There are also kayaks and SUP boards to make use of, while tours with outside operators can also be arranged from the resort. What’s more, Mala Island is one of the closest to the main island, with airport transfers taking approximately one hour. See how it compares to the 10 Best Island Resorts in Tonga.

Check Mala Island Resort out:

8. Katea Retreat (Tongatapu)

A boutique beach resort on the southern corner of Tongatapu, Katea Retreat offers a blissful stay for couples and groups of up to four – that is, until it’s Wednesday or Friday night or Sunday afternoon when its restaurant comes to life with cultural dancing and a traditional Tongan umu – see the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga. But back to the accommodation, each of the five contemporary bungalows features a queen bed or two queens, a kitchenette with a gas stove, an ensuite bathroom and a balcony overlooking the breathtaking beach and reef below. The latter you’ll love to explore with its golden sands and arching rock formations – as featured in the 20 Best Beaches in Tonga. Free airport shuttles are available, while cultural medicine walks are also on offer. For more retreats on the main island, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Resorts on Tongatapu.

9. Sandy Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Ha’apai’s most upscale resort, Sandy Beach Resort is the best choice for the discerning traveller who wants some modern comforts. Located on Foa Island, which is attached to the mainland by a causeway, the resort has 12 bungalows just a few steps from an unspoiled beach. Enjoy the views from your private terrace, which leads into a spacious room with a king bed and ensuite with hot high-pressure showers. Being the sister resort of the Matafonua Lodge (see above), Sandy Beach Resort offers all of the activities that Matafonua offers, from whale swimming to scuba diving, while they also host a cultural umu buffet and floor show once a week during the peak season. Or you could simply find yourself enjoying doing nothing at all… See more like this in the 10 Best Luxury Resorts in Tonga.

Check Sandy Beach Resort out:

10. Blue Water Retreat (‘Eua)

The closest thing to a resort on the southern island of ‘Eua, Blue Water Retreat offers a small selection of ocean-view ensuite bungalows; four with a queen/twin bed with double and single occupancy rates and three family bungalows. The bungalows are recently renovated and feature a private deck where you can watch the sunset and see whales on the horizon during the whale season. Also in the mix are elegant glamping tents atop an elevated private deck and kitted out with tasteful furniture. Ferry/airport transfers are included in the accommodation rates, while whale watching, spearfishing and island tours, as well as creative buffet-style meals at the onsite restaurant, can all be organised with the resort for an effortless stay. For more options on the jungle island, check out Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations.

11. Diana Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Enjoy tranquillity, culture and a beautiful beach setting at Diana Beach Resort (formerly Taiana’s Resort) on Uoleva Island. The resort in Ha’apai has three Tongan-style fales which are simple but add to the island adventure! Each fale is lined with beautifully woven walls and contains a double bed, mosquito net, a box to put food in, and a bedside table with a solar lantern – think of it like beach glamping! Guests share a shower and toilet in a separate block, while there’s also a communal kitchen and dining room building where you can also charge your devices. Families can stay too thanks to the resort also offering a larger beach house. Backpackers have the option to camp on the grounds in one of the tents available if the other fales are occupied.

As for entertainment, well, you better enjoy snorkelling, lazying on the beach and whale swimming during the whale season! Breakfast and dinner are also available to order, so give your hosts notice. Airport/ferry transfers to the island are also offered (and mandatory to get to the resort) for a fee. See how Diana compares to the 5 Best Budget Resorts in Tonga.

12. Kitesurf Tonga (Ha’apai)

As you might have guessed, Kitesurf Tonga has a thing for kitesurfing, considering they have some amazing kitesurfing grounds right on their Ha’apai doorstep on Uoleva. However, the kitesurfing opportunities only begin to scratch the surface of what this resort has to offer. Here, you’ll be staying in one of the five timber fales set among coconut palms. You’ll have a few luxuries, including memory foam beds and a very spacious ensuite with hot solar showers. Snorkelling from the shores, making use of the stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, dining on creative cuisine using produce grown at the resort… It’s also all on the cards at “Kitesurf”. Note that the resort is open from April to November. For more off-the-grid experiences, check out the 10 Best Eco-Resorts in Tonga.

13. Blue Lagoon Resort (Vava’u)

Stay in one of the four overwater beach huts at the Blue Lagoon Resort. Each beach hut is unique being either a bungalow or split-level and most have a private deck. Whatever you choose, your simplistic yet quirky abode on a private island in Vava’u is fully powered by solar and wind energy. The resort caters to couples, families and groups, where time can be shared swimming with whales on their own reputable whale-watching tour, watching whales from the beach, kayaking and snorkelling. Food is served as part of a meal plan at the on-site restaurant. Note that the resort is only open from July to October (the whale season). For more like this, check out the 10 Best Resorts for Whale Swimming in Tonga.

14. The Harbourview (Vava’u)

Far enough away from the hustle and bustle yet close enough for convenience, The Harbourview is well worth considering for couples, solo travellers and/or families taking a trip to Vava’u. The quiet location in the village of Toula provides a retreat in tropical gardens with glorious views of the Port of Refuge and access to the water with SUP and snorkelling gear available to make the most of it. The resort has a selection of queen and twin ensuite rooms, as well as a self-contained two-bedroom family bungalow and a bungalow with interconnecting rooms and a kitchenette. There’s free WiFi in the communal area where you can also play pool and darts or order food at their very popular restaurant. A light breakfast is included in your stay. Otherwise, there are plenty of meals to entice on the menu, as listed in the 20 Best Restaurants in Tonga.

Check The Harbourview out:

The Harbourview on Booking.com

15. Dream Island Resort (Vava’u)

An adults-only castaway experience in Vava’u, the Dream Island Resort is exclusively for guests over the age of 16. There’s a choice of three beach bungalows and one garden bungalow all very spacious with queen beds, an outside ensuite and a private verandah. Your time on the (almost) uninhabited Euakafa Island is a relaxing one with some strong Robinson Crusoe vibes. You can spend your time hiking, watching whales from the beach, snorkelling in the island’s coral reef, and watching birds and flying foxes. Needless to say, this is not the place to be if you’re not into providing your own entertainment. Meal plans are advised, which include breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner in the dining fale that, admittedly, is in need of some repair after cyclone damage. Check out more child-free retreats in the 5 Best Adults-Only Resorts in Tonga.

16. Mounu Island Resort (Vava’u)

Get the private island experience at the Mounu Island Resort. The island in Vava’u features vivid white coral sands and is surrounded by a coral reef ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and kitesurfing. There are exclusively four fales to choose from, each with its own piece of private waterfront. Each fale is made from timber and with a shingle roof to be in harmony with the natural environment. Whale watching is also available from the island through the island’s own operation, Whale Watch Vava’u. Learn more in the 10 Best Whale Swim Tours in Vava’u.

17. Mystic Sands (Vava’u)

A boutique resort on the waterfront of ‘Utungake Island, which is connected to the main island of Vava’u by a causeway, Mystic Sands is easy to get to from Neiafu yet provides a tranquil retreat. Stay in one of the modernly-furnished double or family rooms with ocean views and the beach just steps away. Each room has kitchenette facilities for self-catering (including a coffee plunger – woohoo!) but you might just feel that the included breakfast is enough, while you may also want to take the opportunity to order the meals available or even try an umu. The hosts can also organise a number of activities around the island for you or you can just make do with the complimentary use of the kayaks, swimming pool and beach games. See more family-friendly stays in the 20 Best Family Resorts & Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Mystic Sands out:

18. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers (Vava’u)

For that island getaway experience in Vava’u for an affordable price, head to the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers! Set on the sandy shores of Ofu Island, a short boat ride from Neiafu’s old harbour – Houmelei Wharf, the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers offers basic but ultra-affordable private fales (bungalows) with power outlets sourced by solar power and ensuite bathrooms with cold water. Alternatively, backpackers can stay in one of the three rooms in the main house with a communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. Meals are also available with the highlight being a Tongan feast and floor show once a week. See more accommodations to keep the costs low in the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Tonga.

19. Ha’apai Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Conveniently located on Lifuka Island between the Ha’apai Airport and Pangai, yet still on the beachfront, Ha’apai Beach Resort is a more affordable offering well worth considering. The resort has a snorkelling reef on its doorstep (you’ll need to paddle to it though), snorkelling tours and whale swimming tours. Whether you’re a couple, solo, a family (no under 12s) or a group, there’s a bungalow set-up to suit. Each of the five bungalows has either double rooms with a private bathroom or single rooms sharing bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included and served at the communal fale each morning (including barista-style coffee – a rarity in Ha’apai), while an a la carte menu is available for lunch and dinner and free WiFi is available. Borrow the bikes to get into town or explore Lifuka, hit the water in the kayaks or simply relax.

20. Tongan Beach Resort (Vava’u)

A resort easy to access in Vava’u, the Tongan Beach Resort is on ‘Utungake Island (which is connected to the mainland) with its own stretch of sandy paradise and a private jetty. Relax in the open-air restaurant with an a la carte menu and a wealth of cocktails, or lounge in the day beds soaking in the Tongan sun. There’s an amazing snorkelling spot just off the beach where you might meet the resident turtle, while complimentary use of kayaks is also available. The Tongan Beach Resort caters to couples, families and groups with double and family rooms available – all metres away from the water’s edge. See more stays with spectacular restaurants in the 10 Best Resorts in Tonga for Foodies.

Check Tongan Beach Resort out:

21. Fanga ‘o Ipu Lahi Resort (Ha’apai)

Experience pure isolation on Lifuka Island at Fanga ’o Ipu Lahi Resort. The only accommodation on the secluded eastern beaches of Ha’apai‘s main island, Lifuka, Fanga ‘o Ipu Lahi provides the beach resort experience while being conveniently close to Pangai. The resort provides a more Tongan experience than most on this list of resorts in Ha’apai, as it’s locally owned and operated and offers experiences like an umu feast on a Sunday. Forget about sand in your fale, as the standalone units are all connected by an elevated boardwalk winding through attractive tropical gardens. Units come in the form of double ensuites and single-bed cabins with shared bathroom facilities. There aren’t many activities on offer here, as this accommodation is all about relaxation.

22. Vaimalo Fales (Vava’u)

Stay in one of three beautiful fales (bungalows) on the shores of a traditional Vava’uan village, Vaimalo. Vaimalo Fales offers two fully self-contained overwater fales with a kitchen; one facing the sunset and the other facing the sunrise. It’s the ultimate destination to relax and make use of the kayaks and snorkelling gear provided to explore the sheltered waters. There’s also a traditional fale at the back of the property with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Although out of town on Vava’u‘s main island, Vaimalo offers rental vehicles for a very reasonable price and can arrange a taxi for airport and town transfers. Laundry facilities are also available for a fair fee.

23. Mandala Resort (Vava’u)

Mandala Resort is exclusively available as a seven-day all-inclusive package through TradeWinds. Either stay on Fetoko Island for the complete seven days or mix it up with a sailing catamaran excursion. Either way, the resort offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, from making use of the water toys available to yoga sessions on the beach. Your stay will be in one of the six hand-crafted fales, including two luxurious treehouses. The resort also offers an upmarket dining experience with all meals and drinks included, including a Tongan cultural feast and entertainment on the neighbouring island. The resort is open from the end of February to the beginning of January. Note that the resort is for 16+ years only unless exclusively hiring. For more on their sailing charters, check out the 5 Best Liveaboards & Boat Stays in Tonga.

24. Lucky’s Beach Houses (Vava’u)

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Neiafu and experience a more laid-back side of Vava’u at Lucky’s Beach Houses. The boutique accommodation boasts affordable rooms in their duplex units with a double bed or twin bed, screened window and a ceiling fan. There is also a shared bathroom block. Make use of the shared kitchen facilities including a barbecue, or upgrade to one of the fully self-contained bungalows. The beachfront accommodation in Talihau village has complimentary kayaks and snorkelling spots (bring your own gear) and offers airport transfers, which include stopping in town for supplies, for a fee.

25. Makafeke Resort (Vava’u)

On the beachfront of an island village, Makafeke Resort is more of a homestay than a resort. Nevertheless, if you want an authentic Tongan experience in a small village, then this is for you. After a boat transfer to Matamaka village on Nuapapu Island, you’ll be guided to your guesthouse, which consists of a light-filled double room and a room with four single beds. The communal beach garden is pleasingly decorated with buoys, coconuts, shells, hammocks and an undercover diving area, as well as direct access to the beach. They also have kayaks to explore the surrounding waters. For more homestay-style stays, check out the 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga.

More About Resorts in Tonga

That’s it for the best resorts in Tonga but by no means the end of our Tonga advice! Check out the following guides for more tips on choosing the perfect resort in Tonga:

Finally, get even more advice for planning your trip in our 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga and The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.

Author

Laura (Lola) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page