Which is Better, Tongatapu or Vava’u, Ha’apai or ‘Eua?
Is it worth travelling to the outer islands of Tonga? While there’s often a stigma attached to the arrival island/city of a country as they often don’t give you the “true experience” of what that country is all about, is it really worth taking an expensive flight or up to a 16-hour ferry trip to explore the outer islands of Tonga? Well, it all depends on what you want to do, how much you want to see, your budget and how much time you have. We go through the reasons you might want to stay on the main island of Tonga, Tongatapu, as well as reasons you might want to visit the outer islands, in this Tonga: Main Island Vs. Outer Islands showdown!
What are the Main Island and Outer Islands of Tonga?
Tongatapu (The Main Island)
The main island of Tonga is called “Tongatapu“. This is where most international travellers arrive in Tonga through the Fua’amotu International Airport. It’s also Tonga’s largest island with its own set of attractions, as well as offering a gateway to the outer islands through flights and ferries.
The Outer Islands of Tonga
The outer islands of Tonga are split into several island groups. Some island groups like Ha’apai and Vava’u are a selection of 50-60 islands, while others like ‘Eua and The Niuas have just one to three islands. The outer islands of Tonga are as follows:
© TongaPocketGuide.comWhy Stay on the Main Island of Tonga
For any seasoned traveller, they’ll know that the arrival island or city in a country is not usually an accurate representation of the rest of the country. In some ways, this is true of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, as it is the most developed of the islands. However, it surprisingly offers a piece of almost everything travellers come to see and experience in Tonga. Another plus to staying in Tongatapu is that it’s utterly convenient. It eliminates the need to take the time and/or expense of overwater travel to Tonga’s other islands, many of which are an hour-long flight to a several-hour ferry journey away.
Experience it All in Tongatapu
For the traveller who wants to experience variety, Tongatapu can certainly provide. Get the city experience in Nuku’alofa, full of eateries, markets and royal sights. Explore historical sites across the island, from the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon to the tombs of Tonga’s past chiefs and the royal family. Check out amazing natural attractions, from the stunning ‘Anahulu Cave to the bizarre Tsunami Rock. And get your fix of water activities, including whale swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing and island day trips.
One thing’s for sure, visitors to Tongatapu will see more than visitors solely staying on one of the outer islands.
There’s also a variety of accommodation experiences, including hotels and guesthouses in Nuku’alofa and a small selection of forest and beach resorts on the eastern side of the island.
Time and Convenience
If you’re on limited time in Tonga, such as three to five days, it makes sense to stay in Tongatapu so that you spend more time exploring rather than travelling. Even if you do have more time in Tonga, you might prefer to spend more time relaxing and seeing a few sights with ease instead of going through the travel involved with heading to the outer islands.
© TongaPocketGuide.comWhy Visit the Outer Islands of Tonga
It seems like Tongatapu has it all, so why would you bother with travelling to the outer islands? Well, each island group in Tonga has a totally different vibe and landscape. If you aren’t too keen on Tongatapu as a place, chances are, you’ll love the other islands of Tonga.
A Sense of Tranquillity and Remoteness
When we think of the South Pacific islands, it conjures up images of many tiny islands with white sands nestled between turquoise waters and lush swaying palms. Well, you’re going to experience more of that in the outer islands of Tonga, especially in Ha’apai and in some of the outer islands of Vava’u (although not the main island of Vava’u, as such). Being less developed than Tongatapu, the outer islands are a lot more tranquil, usually creating a better environment to relax and escape from the modern world.
Some Activities are Better in the Outer Islands
We said that Tongatapu has a piece of almost everything travellers come to see and experience in Tonga (scroll up – you can check that we said just that), but some activities are only available or much better in the outer islands. For instance, Ha’apai and Vava’u are especially epic for kitesurfing and sailing. The hiking opportunities on ‘Eua are unmatched by anywhere else in Tonga. Scuba diving is arguably better, with a larger variety of dives, in the outer islands than from Tongatapu. And what about whale swimming? Each island group has its appeal, as explained in our guide, Where to Swim with Whales in Tonga: The Best Islands.
Want to learn more about the outer islands? Check out The Best Islands to Visit in Tonga.
More About Visiting Tonga’s Main Island Vs. Outer Islands
That’s it for our guide on visiting the main island vs. the outer islands in Tonga. For more about visiting Tongatapu vs. visiting Vava’u, Ha’apai or ‘Eua, check out the following guides:
- What are the 5 Islands Groups in Tonga?
- The 10 Largest Islands in Tonga
- 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga
Finally, for itineraries to put these destinations together, take a look at 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.
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