The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Nuku’alofa

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How to Get to Nuku’alofa

The most popular way to get to Nuku’alofa from overseas is via the nearby international airport on Tongatapu. From there, there are shuttles and taxis to transport you to the city – see Your Airport Transfer Options. As for travelling around Nuku’alofa and the rest of Tongatapu, couples might want to consider the most intimate and private option of hiring a car or bicycle. Alternatively, taxis, tours and public buses are available.

Nuku’alofa By Plane

Nuku’alofa’s nearest airport, Fua’amotu International Airport, is 30 minutes away. Direct flights to Fua’amotu Airport are available from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji – see Which Airlines Fly Straight to Tonga? for more details. Domestic flights between Tongatapu and ‘Eua, Vava’u, Ha’apai and The Niuas are also available.

How to Get Around Nuku’alofa

The city centre of Nuku’alofa is compact enough to enjoy on foot, while those wishing to explore further afield can find very affordable bicycle and car hire. Taxis are also available and very reasonably priced for travelling in and around Nuku’alofa. Learn more about all of the transport methods mentioned in the Nuku’alofa Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Nuku’alofa.

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Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Experiences

Every couple is unique, yet there’s still something for all kinds of adventure and culture travellers in Nuku’alofa. Check out the vast range of what’s available in the city in the 30 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa. Otherwise, for something more “romantic” to enjoy as a couple, here are a few of our top picks!

Swimming with Whales

Available from July to October in Nuku’alofa, snorkelling with majestic humpback whales is a beautiful experience to share. Witnessing these gentle giants, after they have made the 3,000 mi (4,850 km) journey from Antarctica to calve and breed, is a great symbol for starting your own amazing journey together. Join one of the whale swimming tours from Nuku’alofa for a chance to swim with humpbacks, as well as visit Tongatapu’s uninhabited islands for a picnic lunch.

Check out operators in the 5 Best Whale Swim Tours in Tongatapu & Nuku’alofa and learn more about the experience in The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga.

Couples Spa Treatment

Lay side by side as you are transported into a state of bliss with a couples spa treatment. Island Glow (Tonga Post Building, Taufa’ahau Road) is one of the fabulous day spas in Nuku’alofa offering rejuvenating treatments for couples. Their “Orange Blossom Couples Retreat” is a 2 hrs 30 mins experience, which includes a raw sugar cane body scrub followed by a relaxing massage. The final touch is a facial to leave you both feeling refreshed. Learn more about pampering yourself in the 5 Best Spas in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

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Island Day Trips

A must-do on a Sunday when the rest of the city shuts down for Sunday rest, or on any day for that matter, is to hop on a boat to one of Nuku’alofa’s stunning off-shore islands. It’s just a 20-minute boat ride across the glistening tropical waters to one of the small and tranquil islands, such as Pangaimotu Island. Enjoy long walks on the beach, snorkel amongst the coral, and take an island picnic. See the 10 Best Island Day Trips from Nuku’alofa for island recommendations and how to get there.

Personalised Tongan Gifts

Just a stroll through the Talamahu Market (Salote Road) will, no doubt, make you both fall in love with Tonga’s unique handicrafts. For an extra special way to experience Tonga’s arts and crafts, get something personalised for your loved one, such as a personalised photo frame of your travels from Pink Gator Designs (Haveluloto) or a shell/pearl/coconut necklace from Treasure Island (Talamahu Market). Learn more about these shops and more in Where to Buy the Best Souvenirs in Tonga and The Guide to Shopping in Tonga.

Scuba Diving

“Buddying up” for a scuba dive in Tonga’s tropical waters is a great way to spend a day of your romantic getaway or honeymoon in Nuku’alofa. Only suitable for certified divers, the small-group dive boats take you to glorious coral seascapes of the outer reefs to explore volcanic-formed underwater caves, coral gardens and even shipwrecks now teeming with life. Check out tour operators in The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

More Things to Do in Nuku’alofa

On top of all the activities mentioned, Nuku’alofa also has some romantic restaurants and bars, beautiful churches, Tongan craft workshops and more. We go over them all in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do in Nuku’alofa. For more experiences that don’t necessarily fall into the “romance” category but are still just as amazing, take a look at the 30 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa.

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Dining in Nuku’alofa

Boasting the largest food scene in Tonga, Nuku’alofa is certainly a place to experience the flavours of The Kingdom. Alternatively, couples on a budget will find that self-catering is a viable option.

Romantic Restaurants in Nuku’alofa

Tonga’s capital presents an array of romantic dine-in experiences. Gaze at the Nuku’alofa city skyline as you dine on international favourites at The TOP Restaurant (Taufa’ahau Road). Indulge in Tongan cuisine, from lu to pan-fried mahimahi, on impeccably presented plates at The Waterfront (Vuna Road).

Alternatively, be transported to Italy while enjoying waterfront dining at Little Italy (Vuna Road). A little further along from Little Italy, Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Vuna Road) offers an upmarket dining experience and cocktail deck overlooking the waterfront. Finally, for a fine dining night in, Lunarossa Deli (Salote Road) serves up five-star restaurant cuisine to takeaway.

See more of our top recommendations in the 20 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa, while some options for lunch are listed in the 10 Best Cafes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

Self-Catering

A surefire way to save money on food, not to mention have a romantic night in, is to cook your own meals. Stay at one of the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu and pick up groceries from the many convenience stores, fale koloa and roadside produce stalls to whip up your own sustenance! Check out The Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Tonga for more tips for a self-catering trip.

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Getting Married in Nuku’alofa

Eloping in the South Pacific is a dream for many. However, getting married in Nuku’alofa does pose some hurdles for couples from overseas wishing to get married in The Kingdom.

For couples who are both non-citizens of Tonga, you must reside in Tonga for at least one month before applying for a marriage license. Once this condition has been met, both parties of the couple must apply to get married to the Principal Immigration Officer to get permission to marry in Tonga. Only after that process is complete (usually after two to three days), the Immigration Office in Tonga will request some legal documents including an affidavit stating you have no criminal record. On top of that, there’s a fee of a few hundred Pa’anga. See more details at How to Organise Your Wedding in Tonga.

There is a legal act in process in the Tongan Government aiming to change some of these conditions for couples wishing to elope in Tonga. We will keep this article updated when appropriate.

Wedding Venues in Nuku’alofa

For those who are lucky enough or determined enough to get married in Nuku’alofa, there are some fantastic wedding venues available.

The Tanoa International Dateline Hotel offers wedding venues, along with professional staff to make sure every detail is to your liking. Their Talanoa Room is a popular indoor choice seating up to 180 people, while The Festival Lawn outside of the hotel is the ideal choice for a more lavish affair.

For more wedding venues, see The Wedding & Honeymoon Guide to Tongatapu.