Free (and Cheap) Sights and Activities on Tongatapu
You certainly don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy the sights of Tongatapu! Tonga’s main island is brimming with interesting historical sites, unusual natural formations, and wildlife sanctuaries that can either be seen for free or at least for an incredibly cheap price. Not only will you find a wealth of free things to do on Tongatapu, but you’re sure to find cheap activities too. So take a look at our list of free and cheap things to do on Tongatapu and start making your frugal island bucket list!
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Guide to Tongatapu on a Budget.
1. See the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon – FREE
Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, also known as “Maui’s Burden”, is an intriguing ancient monument believed to have been constructed in the 13th Century by the 11th Tu’i Tonga (king), Tu’itatui. The attraction near Niutoua is within an attractive park setting with souvenir stalls and a grassy walkway leading to Maka Fa’akinanga or “Tu’itatui’s Backrest”, which is said to be where the king would lean against while he watched the construction of the monument. Interpretation panels at the site explain the history of the site.
Location: Signposted along Taufa’ahau Road, Niutoua, east side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com2. Explore and Swim at ‘Anahulu Cave – CHEAP
This impressive limestone cave on the east coast of Tongatapu is a must-see, and not too expensive either! Duck through the entrance which instantly opens up into a vast limestone ‘Anahulu Cave lit up to admire in all its glory. A well-formed walkway leads to a refreshing swimming hole – so bring your swimwear! Although it’s possible to swim into more caverns, it’s best done if you know what you’re doing or if you’re with a guide. Entry is approximately TOP$15 per person. Check out ‘Anahulu Beach while you’re there, as listed in the 25 Best Beaches on Tongatapu.
Location: Signposted from the southern end of Haveluliku village, east side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Check Out the Hufangalupe Land Bridge and Cliff Lookout – FREE
There are a few impressive natural features to admire in the Hufangalupe area. After a drive down a dirt track (the last 50 m/yards is rough, so it’s best to park up and walk the rest of the way if you’re in a rental car), you’ll first come to a side trail to an astonishing lookout over Hufangalupe Beach. Another fainter trail leads down to the beach from the road. Alternatively, continue down the dirt road and follow a well-formed trail down to a cliff archway covered in vegetation, the Hufangalupe Land Bridge. Walk over the land bridge and continue for approximately five minutes before turning back to see an amazing view of Tongatapu’s rugged cliff coastline.
Location: Access off Hufangalupe Road, southeast coast of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com4. See the Flying Foxes of Kolovai – FREE
For your wildlife fix, head to the village of Kolovai to check out its flying fox sanctuary. You’ll likely hear the strange squeaks of the large fruit bats, locally known as “peka”, before you see them hanging in the trees. While it’s possible to see flying foxes at any time of the year, the best time to see them is between October and February. Note, you only need to look up in the trees from the roadside in Kolovai to see flying foxes. Check out more wildlife activities like this in the 10 Best Wildlife Experiences in Tonga.
Location: Kolovai, west side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com5. Go Beach-Hopping – FREE/CHEAP
Tongatapu certainly has its fair share of beaches, from famous surf beaches on the western side to beaches leading out to lagoons and reefs on the south and eastern sides. A few highlights include Ha’atafu Beach, ‘Oholei Beach and Katea Beach – note that while most beaches are free, some like Katea Beach are on private property so a fee of approximately TOP$20 per person is charged to access it. Check out some of our top picks in the 25 Best Beaches on Tongatapu.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
(c) tongapocketguide.com6. Check Out the Fishing Pigs – FREE
Probably one of the strangest attractions in Tonga, the Fishing Pigs are essentially a bunch of pigs in the village of Navutoka that have decided that they prefer seafood to land fodder. With that, you can almost always see pigs wandering the mudflats along the coast, sticking their head in the water in search of briny goodness. Don’t worry; the brown tourist signs on the side of the road will point you in the right direction of this attraction that the Tongans are extremely proud of!
Location: Signposted along Tahi Road, Navutoka, east side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com7. Admire the Three-Headed Coconut Tree – FREE
Ok, scrap the “Fishing Pigs” being the strangest tourist attraction; this is the strangest tourist attraction! The Three-Headed Coconut Tree is an unusual coconut tree found on the side of Loto Road on the outskirts of Liahona. It is said to be the only coconut tree in the South Pacific with three heads! Don’t worry, it’s well-signposted so you can’t miss it! However you feel about freaky coconut trees, it’s worth a quick stop on the side of the road for a photo.
Location: Signposted along Loto Road, western end of Liahona village, west side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com8. See Amazing Natural Displays at the Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes – FREE
Back to something more serious, the Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes are an impressive natural attraction spanning some 5 km (3 mi) along the coastline. You’ll see hundreds of blowholes spouting water into the air before the water falls back onto the tiered reefs, making a beautiful natural feature. While the blowholes perform at any time, some of the best times to see the blowholes are at sunset for gorgeous hues and during windy weather or large swells at high tide to see blowholes bursting up to 30 m (100 ft) in the air! For more interesting sights like this, check out the 10 Best Sights & Natural Attractions on Tongatapu.
Location: End of Vaea Road, Houma, southwest side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com9. Find All of the Landing Sites – FREE
Look at any tourist map of Tongatapu and you’ll see a lot of “landing sites” or “landing places” dotted across the island. For instance, on the east side, you’ll find the Captain Cook Landing Site where a plaque can be seen above a mangrove inlet. On the west side, the Abel Tasman Landing Site is marked with a plaque and interpretation panel telling the story of the first European explorer to discover Tongatapu. Finally, the Christianity Landing Place nearby has a commemorative plaque of when the Christian missionaries first landed in Tonga. One side of the plaque is in Tongan and the other is in English. Learn more about each of these sites in the 10 Best Historical Sites in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa.
Location: Captain Cook Landing Site – Tatakamotonga, east side of Tongatapu. Abel Tasman and Christianity Landing Sites – north of Ha’atafu, west side of Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.com10. Take a Day Trip to the Islands – CHEAP
Some of the best-value tours available on Tongatapu are day trips to the off-shore islands, available from Faua Wharf in Nuku’alofa. For instance, take a day trip to Pangaimotu Island to experience Tonga’s idyllic islands. After a 15-20-minute boat trip, you’ll arrive on the island to enjoy it as you please: swimming from the beach, walking around the island, sunbathing or finding shade under a coconut tree, or snorkelling at the nearby reef (snorkel hire is an additional fee). At around TOP$50 for a full-day experience, that’s not a bad way to make your Pa’anga go further! For more cheap stuff to do from the capital, check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nuku’alofa.
Location: Boats depart from Faua Wharf (behind the fish market and Ngutilei Restaurant) every Sunday at 11 am and 12 am. Trips throughout the week require at least 10 passengers to go ahead (so book at the Tourist Information Fale in advance and they’ll get back to you).
© Pixabay11. Learn Something New at the Tonga National Museum – CHEAP
Admire all sorts of ancient Tongan tools, from stone anchors to wooden headrests, and get a fascinating insight into the way that Tongans lived hundreds of years ago at the Tonga National Museum. Too many visitors miss this treasure trove – mainly because the museum is not easy to find. However, those who discover it usually get a sense that they’ve found something special. The museum has a very affordable fee and guided tours are provided by passionate and knowledgeable guides at no extra cost. Alternatively, you can walk around the hall self-guided thanks to the information displays. Check out more museums in the 5 Best Museums in Tonga.
Location: Upstairs in Queen Salote Memorial Hall, Taufa’ahau Road (opposite the Lulutai Airlines office), Nuku’alofa city centre.
© TongaPocketGuide.com11. See Amazing Arts and Crafts at the Talamahu Market – FREE/CHEAP
Even if you’re budget won’t allow you to purchase some of the impressive Tongan handicrafts found in Nuku’alofa, they are still well worth a look! Head to the central Talamahu Market for its wide array of arts and crafts filling just about every available space of the market. See intricately woven baskets, Tongan clothing, tapa cloth paintings, carved jewellery, carved ornaments and so much more! You can even get personised jewellery for less than TOP$20 (check out the Treasure Island stall upstairs). On top of that, the market has a huge fresh produce section, where punters can admire the pyramids of tropical produce piled up for sale. The Talamahu Market is not the only market worth checking out in Nuku’alofa, so check out the 5 Best Markets in Tonga for more ideas.
Location: Salote Road, Nuku’alofa city centre.
© TongaPocketGuide.com12. Learn About the Tongan Culture at Ancient Tonga – CHEAP
Apart from whale swimming and island-hopping, another must-do in Tonga is to engage in the local culture. Tonga has a rich and interesting Polynesian culture that can be engaged further at cultural centres like Ancient Tonga. The cultural tour operator offers a wide range of experiences, with the most affordable options being the “Half Culture Tour” (approx TOP$45) and the “Full Culture Tour” (approx TOP$75). Learn more about the tour in the 10 Best Culture Tours in Tonga.
Location: Tamakautonga Road, Popua, Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com13. Snap a Pic of the Royal Palace – FREE
Standing proud on the waterfront of Tonga’s capital, the Royal Palace is a symbol of Tonga to the rest of the world. You might as well get a good photo of it! Although the palace grounds are not open to visitors, you can get good views of its Victorian-inspired architecture from the waterfront parks on the west and east sides of the palace – better from the west side. Note that taking photos from directly in front of the palace is forbidden.
Location: Corner of Vaha’akolo and Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa city centre.
© TongaPocketGuide.com14. Experience a Sunday Church Service – FREE
With 99% of Tonga’s population being devout Christians, sampling a slice of life at one of the Sunday church services is certainly an interesting experience. Tongan church halls are filled with harmonious singing and sometimes even with the sound of brass instruments played by the local school children. It’s a great free way to spend a Sunday morning on Tongatapu! Check out the 10 Best Churches in Tonga for Tourists for more information on the churches to visit.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com15. See the Sights by Bike – CHEAP
A fun way to experience Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu is on two wheels! ANT Bicycles hires out quality mountain bikes for a very reasonable fee (approximately TOP$20 for a half day and TOP$30 for a full day). Enjoy a casual peddle around town and the surrounding villages to experience Tonga at a much more natural pace. Alternatively, we have some longer adventures listed in The Best Cycling Routes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.
Location: ANT Bicycles is located at 26 Railway Road, Mangaia, Nuku’alofa (close to the city centre). Learn more about bike rentals in Where to Rent Bicycles in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com16. Try Tongan Food and Scout Out the Cheap Eats – CHEAP
Eating Tongan cuisine is all part of the cultural experience of visiting Tongatapu! What’s more, it’s especially easy to eat well, even if you are on a budget. Try Tonga favourites like ota ika (raw fish marinated in coconut cream) or lu (taro leaves wrapped in meat and coconut cream) in restaurants like Mum’s Cafe, Ofeina Restaurant or Keli’i and Rose Restaurant or head down to the roadside market stalls along Vuna Road in Nuku’alofa to try sweet treats like topai and fai kakai! For more recommendations, check out The Cheap Eats in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa, while more information about Tongan food can be found in the 10 Unique Foods in Tonga You Have to Try.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com17. Experience a Tongan Feast and Cultural Show – CHEAP
Speaking of food, although more expensive than trying Tongan snacks, Umu buffets and cultural floor shows are very good value, costing around TOP$50 per person. Sample a range of traditional Tongan dishes slow-cooked in an umu earth oven. Once you’re inevitably full, sit back to a captivating floor show where the boys dance with gusto and the ladies perform their tau’olunga with grace. Learn much more about these events in the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga.
Location: All over Tongatapu! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com18. Check Out Nuku’alofa’s Royal Tombs… – FREE
Another attraction that’s hard to miss while walking around Nuku’alofa, yet still worth paying attention to, is the Royal Tombs. Standing in the centre of a huge fenced-off park, the tombs feature grand statues of Tonga’s royal figures of the past. Although the Royal Tombs are not open to the public, visitors can admire the grand statues and tombs of royals buried here since 1893 from afar. Check out the 10 Historical Sites in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa for more like this.
Location: Seen from Meteialona Road, Vaha’akolo Road and Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku’alofa city centre.
© TongaPocketGuide.com19. … And the Ancient Paepae ‘o Tele’a and Terraced Tombs – FREE
Another set of famous royal tombs is the Paepae ‘o Tele’a Royal Tombs. In the village of Lapaha, the Paepae ‘o Tele’a are examples of just two of around 28 Terraced Tombs found in the area, each in a pyramid-like stone memorial. One of the tombs is of Tele’a, a king (Tu’i Tonga) who reigned during the 16th Century.
Location: Signposted along Taufa’ahau Road, Lapaha, east side of Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com20. Join a Fitness Class – FREE/CHEAP
Have a pumping start to your day and experience the Tongan energy at one of Tongatapu’s fitness classes. While there are a number of classes you could join, particularly across Nuku’alofa, a popular one in Tonga is Zumba! We love the Zumba class held at the Apifo’ou College every Monday, Wednesday and Friday bright and early at 5:30 am! Classes are free but there’s usually a box at the entrance or at front of the class for donations.
Location: Apifo’ou College, Alaivahamama’o Bypass (the turn-off between Salote Road and Umusi Road), Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore Free and Cheap Things to Do in Tongatapu
That’s it for the free and cheap things to do on Tongatapu. For more tips for planning a trip to Tongatapu on a budget, take a look at the following guides:
- 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Tongatapu
- Tongatapu Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tongatapu
- 10 Ways to Save Money When Travelling in Tonga
Finally, get more budgeting advice from The Travel Guide to Tonga on a Budget and Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost?
