10 Best Eco-Resorts in Tonga 🌱 [2024]

1. Kitesurf Tonga (Ha’apai)

While Kitefsurf Tonga might seem all about kitesurfing at first glance, the boutique resort on Ha’apai‘s Uoleva Island also has an environmentally friendly policy. Their five beach huts are made with natural timber to blend in with the surroundings. The whole resort uses solar and wind energy, as well as composting toilets. Recycling and energy efficiency are also promoted to guests during their stay to help keep the resort’s corner of Ha’apai beautiful, while meals include a lot of produce grown in the resort’s garden. Learn more about the resort in Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

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2. Treasure Island Eco Resort (Vava’u)

Tonga’s original eco-resort, Treasure Island Eco Resort is well worth considering for the environmentally conscious traveller in Vava’u. To keep the resort’s 48-acre (19 ha) island beautiful, the accommodation uses solar power and collects fresh rainwater which runs through its own filtration system. The traditional-style fales (bungalows) are made from natural timber keeping in tune with the surrounding environment. Treasure Island Eco Resort also offers eco-friendly whale swimming tours in their low-impact outrigger vessel. Compare this resort with others in Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

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3. Serenity Beaches Resort (Ha’apai)

Another gem on the otherwise uninhabited Uoleva Island, Serenity Beaches Resort offers a range of wooden fales for guests either wishing to do whale swimming, one of their yoga retreats or simply nothing at all… The eco-resort uses rainwater, while electricity is collected from the sun and almost all food is brought in by local farmers and fishermen. Although meat is an option for food, they also cater extremely well to vegetarians to minimise your impact further. Learn more about this accommodation and others in the 10 Best Romantic Resorts in Tonga.

Check Serenity Beaches Resort out:

• Serenity Beaches Resort on Booking.com
• Serenity Beaches Resort on Trip.com

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4. Diana Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Ha’apai’s most authentic traditional fales can be found at the locally-run Diana Beach Resort, formerly Taiana’s Resort. Enjoy an ethical stay with locals on their home turf, staying in one out of the small selection of fales that have been made with natural materials (except for a tin roof), and using a shared shower and toilet for all guests for minimal impact. Camping is also available. Food is either BYO or you can arrange a local breakfast and dinner with your hosts. It’s all about the minimalist lifestyle here. What’s more, Diana Beach Resort is the only Tongan-operated whale swimming operator on Ha’apai. Learn more about the resort and others like it in the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Tonga.

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5. Sea Change Eco Retreat (Ha’apai)

As the name strongly suggests, Sea Change Eco Retreat is a resort committed to providing an environmentally friendly stay in Ha’apai. Accommodation is either in wooden fales or glamping safari tents on elevated decks, allowing guests to really connect with the surrounding beachfront forest. Each fale uses fresh and clean water in the ensuite outside bathroom from rainwater and rooms are only serviced as required. The whole resort is off-the-grid, running on solar power. The resort also offers a number of eco-tourism experiences, from swimming with whales to yoga retreats, while a vegetarian option is included in the meal plan each day. See more eco-stays in this island group in the 5 Best Eco-Resorts in Ha’apai.

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6. Katea Retreat (Tongatapu)

A boutique beach resort on the southern corner of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, Katea Retreat is a fully off-the-grid resort powered by solar and utilising water catchment. What’s more, the resort promotes culture and nature-based activities, especially on Wednesday and Friday nights or Sunday afternoons when its restaurant comes to life with cultural dancing and a traditional Tongan umu – see the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga. As for 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. Free airport shuttles are available, while cultural medicine walks are also on offer. See more stays on the same island in Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.

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7. 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 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). This accommodation is also suitable for families, as listed in the 20 Best Family Resorts in Tonga.

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8. Mandala Island (Vava’u)

An upmarket resort on its own private island, Mandala Island Resort boasts an ethical and eco-friendly ethos. Stay in one of the six hand-crafted bungalows available, which are powered by solar energy and have low-flow composting toilets. The resort uses a rainwater catchment and uses a UV light-filtration system to make rainwater safe to drink. The complimentary toiletries offered are also organic and biodegradable. Note that Mandala Resort is exclusively available as a seven-day all-inclusive package through TradeWinds. Check out more eco-stays in the same island group listed in the 5 Best Eco-Resorts in Vava’u.

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9. Green Lodge Holiday Homes (Tongatapu)

An alternative and affordable eco-stay on Tongatapu is at Green Lodge Holiday Homes. Located in a quintessential Tongan village on the outskirts of Nuku’alofa, Green Lodge offers four holiday homes, each with three or four bedrooms. Since 2014, Green Lodge has been fully powered by renewable energy. They also offer cultural activities on a weekend, teaching guests how to cook with a traditional Tongan earth oven called an “umu”.

Check Green Lodge Holiday Homes out:

• Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Booking.com
• Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Trip.com
• Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Expedia

(c) Green Lodge Holiday Homes

10. Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses (Tongatapu)

Certainly inspired by nature Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses, is a handbuilt wonderland among the forests of Tongatapu. The unique resort consists of two queen ensuite treehouses and one family treehouse, each distinctive and artistically finished. The property shrouded in nature 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 – they are even happy to cater to vegans and vegetarians should you want to enjoy a more sustainable diet.

Check Tukulolo Treehouses out:

• Tukulolo Treehouses on Booking.com

© TongaPocketGuide.com