Information, Shops & Services in Vava’u

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Food and Groceries in Vava’u

There are multiple options for supermarkets in Neiafu, while fresh produce is best purchased from ‘Utakalongalu Market on the waterfront. There are no options for buying groceries in Vava’u’s outer islands, so you will need to organise food with your chosen accommodation which is typically organised through meal plans.

Supermarkets in Neiafu

Neiafu offers a selection of small supermarkets stocked with basic food products imported from New Zealand, Australia and China. Grocery stores are typically open from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday (although some will close on a Saturday afternoon). Some of the supermarkets in town include:

• LR Trading Limited, Tu’i Road
• Golden Horse, Tu’i Road
• Xiao Ying GUO, Tu’i Road
• SNAB Enterprises, Fatafehi Road
• Jia Heng Shopping Center, Tu’i Road
• ELIM Shopping Center, Tu’i Road
• S.F Paea & Son’s, Fatafehi Road
• Utulangivake Gas Station & Store, Neiafu

Delis in Neiafu

There is also the Falaleu Deli & Takeaway (Fatafehi Road, south Neiafu) selling meat and baked goods, while Cafe Tropicana (Fatafehi Road, Neiafu town centre) sells deli products like coconut yoghurt, cream cheese, meat and more. Check out opening hours and their restaurant services in the 15 Best Cafes & Restaurants in Vava’u.

Neiafu Market

While only a limited range of (typically imported) fresh produce is sold in supermarkets in Vava’u, you will find local fresh fruit and vegetables sold at the ‘Utakalongalu Market on the waterfront of Neiafu near Halaevalu Wharf. The market is open 8 am until around 4/5 pm Monday to Friday. The best time to visit is on a Saturday morning until around midday. Pay with cash.

Liquor Store in Neiafu

Leiola Duty Free Store (Fatafehi Road, Neiafu) is a liquor store in the centre of town that also sells jewellery, apparel and tobacco. Learn more about duty-free shopping in The Duty-Free Allowances for Tonga.

Fale Koloa (Convenience Stores)

In some of the villages around Vava’u, you will find fale koloa. These are small convenience stores with bars across an open window at the front of the building. They stock a limited range of basic essential foods. Just tell the attendant what you would like to buy. Pay with cash. Learn more about how to use fale koloa in The Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Tonga.

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Medication, Toiletries and Pharmaceuticals

While we always recommend having all the medication you need with you for your stay in Tonga and Vava’u (see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Tonga for advice), if there is anything you end up needing, you have a few options for purchasing medication and health care products in Neiafu.

Medication at Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Light medications (like painkillers), baby products and toiletries are sold in supermarkets in Neiafu, as listed in the “Food and Groceries” section above.

Pharmacy and Hospital

Independent pharmacies can be found in Neiafu and tend to be open from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday and reduced hours on Saturday, closed Sunday.

• Universal Clinic & Pharmacy, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu town centre
• Seini’s Pharmacy & Clinic, Pahu, Kolofoou and ‘Utulangivaka.

For more serious illnesses, injuries and dental services, there’s the Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital on Mateialona Road, Neiafu, which also has a pharmacy. The hospital is open 24/7.

For advice on staying healthy while travelling Tonga, see Tonga Safety Tips: How to Keep Safe in Tonga.

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Fuel Stations in Vava’u

Need to fuel up? Fuel stations in Vava’u tend to be open from 7 am to 6 pm except for Sundays. Note that fuel stations are fully serviced and an attendant will fill your vehicle for you; tell the attendant how much you want to fill up. Pay the attendant in cash.

All of Vava’u’s fuel stations can be found in or on the outskirts of Neiafu, which include:

• Pacific Petrol Station, Tu’i Road
• Total Fatafehi Service Station, Fatafehi Road
• GATEWAY Gas Station, Tu’i Road
• ‘Ilisapesi Pongi Gas Station, Tu’i Road
• Maka Gas Station, Vaipua Street
• Vaitohi Gas Station, Tu’i Road
• Utulangivake Gas Station & Store, Neiafu.

For more tips for driving in Vava’u, take a look at How to Drive in Tonga + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

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Communication Services in Vava’u

When it comes to staying connected, Tonga’s phone networks provide the most reliable and convenient option. Otherwise, expect to pay for an internet connection in accommodations (only when available) and internet cafes. There are also postal services in Neiafu.

Phone Networks

For staying in touch, Digicel Tonga and UCall (TCC) are the phone network providers who both have a presence in Neiafu. Their branches can be found in the following locations:

• Digicel Tonga, Sanft Building (overlooking small boat marina), Neiafu
• TCC, Fatafehi Road (straight across the road from the wharf), Neiafu.

These stores are typically open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Otherwise, Cafe Tropicana sells Digicel SIM cards and The Harbourview (Toula) rents out Digicel portable modems. Learn more about the network, prices and coverage in The Best SIM Card in Tonga For Travellers.

Post Offices

Offering postal and secretarial services, there are several post offices in Neiafu:

• Tonga Post, Corner of Fatafehi and Ha’amea Roads (just up the road directly from the wharf), Neiafu
• FedEx, Jetsave Travel Office, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu
• UPS, EM Jones Hardware Store, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu.

The Tonga Post Office is open from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm and is typically closed for lunch between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.

Internet and WiFi

Internet and WiFi are certainly limited in Vava’u, as even most accommodations don’t offer this service. For this reason, we recommend getting a local SIM card and using a data plan as the best way to access the internet. Otherwise, other options include:

• Vava’u Visitor Information Fale, Corner of ‘Otumapa and Fatafehi Roads, Neiafu (free WiFi)
• Tropicana Cafe, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu
• The Harbourview, Toula (free WiFi)
• Bellavista Restaurant, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu (free WiFi).

See Where to Get Internet & WiFi in Tonga for more advice.

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Banks and ATMs in Vava’u

Should you want to exchange currency or withdraw some cash, there are a few options in Neiafu. We recommend getting the cash you need from Neiafu before exploring the rest of Vava’u, as most vendors only accept cash payments.

Banks

Banks can be found in Neiafu. They offer services like foreign exchange, which you can learn more about in The Best Place to Exchange Money in Tonga. Note that banks in Neiafu tend to be open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.

• BSP Bank, Corner of Pouono and Fatafehi Roads, Neiafu.
• Tonga Development Bank, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu
• Mbf Bank, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu.

There is also a currency exchange bureau in the town centre, Western Union, Bsp Building, Tu’i Road, Neiafu.

ATMs

There are two ATMs in Neiafu that are available 24/7; one at the BSP Bank (Corner of Pouono and Fatafehi Roads) and another BSP ATM next to Leiola Liquor Store (Fatafehi Road).

Learn more about withdrawing cash using ATMs in our guide, What is The Best Way to Pay in Tonga?