Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 7 Days / 1 Week

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How to Get Around Tonga in One Week

The itinerary below takes you to two different island groups in Tonga, as well as different places across each island group. You’ll need to use both overland and overwater transport to get around, which we give tips on within the itinerary, as well as a quick overview here.

Road Transport in Tonga

Upon arrival to each island group in Tonga, accommodations typically offer airport transfers or car rental companies can deliver vehicles to the airport. Tongatapu and Vava’u also have taxis. Check out How to Get an Airport Transfer in Tonga for more on the subject.

For travelling on each of the islands, car hire offers the most flexibility, convenience and privacy. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in Tonga. Alternatively, this itinerary is doable with a mix of taxis (see The Complete Guide to Taxis in Tonga), hiring private drivers (see How to Hire a Driver in Tonga for more advice), as well as taking guided tours such as the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Tonga.

Overwater Transport in Tonga

In this itinerary, we mostly recommend taking domestic flights between the two island groups, which is the fastest and most convenient for most travellers – see Domestic Flights in Tonga: A Guide to Interisland Flights. Otherwise, taking the ferry is an overnight journey – see Tonga Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel. Note that no flights or ferries operate on a Sunday and both transport services are prone to cancellations due to bad weather; that’s why this itinerary allows for extra days at each destination, as well as leaves a day between domestic and international flights.

For getting to island resorts, resorts offer their own boat transfers, which need to be arranged before arrival. Otherwise, check out A Guide to Boat Transfers & Water Taxis in Tonga for alternatives.

For all of your transport options across the islands, check out our Tonga Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around Tonga.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga + Nuku’alofa

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Day 2 – Explore Tongatapu

Travel time: 1-3 hours drive for sightseeing (see The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga).

Now your adults-only getaway can get into full swing, whether you prefer to be out on the water or exploring the sights on land. Check out some of the suggestions on how you can spend your time with your loved one or mates in the list below!

Day Tour of Tongatapu

Explore sights, such as the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes, Tsunami Rock, Anahulu Cave and much more by either taking a self-guided driving tour of Tongatapu (see A Self-Guided Day Trip of Tongatapu) or one of the 5 Best Guided Island Land Tours of Tongatapu.

Alternative Activities on Tongatapu for Adults

• Surf the epic reef breaks at Ha’atafu Beach
• Rent a car and explore the sights of Tongatapu
• Indulge in a relaxing island spa treatment
• Drink and be merry at Nuku’alofa’s bars and nightclubs
• Scuba or freedive among caves and corals.

Find out more about each activity in our list of the 10 Adult-Only Activities in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

Dining and Drink Recommendations

If out sightseeing, lunch stops along the road include the Garden Cafe (Vaini) and Siva’s Dream Cafe (Te’ekiu). Otherwise, check out cafes in town listed in the 10 Best Cafes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

For dinner, check out one of Tongatapu’s cultural shows and Tongan buffets. Otherwise, The Top Restaurant (Taufa’ahau Road) and Chef Zero (Popua) rarely fail to impress. For more dining recommendations, head to The Food Guide to Tongatapu, while more about the capital’s nightlife can be found in The Guide to Nuku’alofa Nightlife.

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Day 3 – Nuku’alofa to Vava’u

Travel time: 1-hour flight (see Tonga Travel Times & Distances).

How to Get to Vava’u

Arrange your accommodation to transport you to the domestic terminal of Fua’amotu Airport. Today, you fly to Vava’u! Vava’u is a watersports paradise, a top sailing ground of the South Pacific and home to around 61 islands.

After a 1-hour flight, you’ll arrive at Lupepauʻu Airport. Your chosen adults-only resort will arrange transfers from the airport and overwater to your new home on an island paradise for the next few days. Get settled into your fale (beach hut), indulge in a Tongan-inspired meal, and take a deep breath – you’re in paradise.

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Days 4 & 5 – Explore Vava’u

Vava’u is a destination that provides the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation – both options you can enjoy undisturbed by little ones.

See why they call Vava’u the best sailing grounds in the South Pacific on the adults-only TradeWinds yacht, tackle GTs and blue marlin on an exciting fishing charter, and yes, you have more opportunity to swim with whales between July and October. Otherwise, keep your feet on dry land with a rejuvenating yoga session or an island massage.

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Day 6 – Vava’u to Nuku’alofa

Travel time: 1-hour flight.

You probably won’t want to leave your glorious adults-only resort a whole day before your flight out of Tonga, but we recommend you leave at least a day early, as flights from Vava’u are often cancelled and rescheduled due to Tonga’s ever-changing weather. A bit of contingency time to leave Vava’u is a smart idea.

You’ll, again, need to arrange airport transfers to/from both ends of your flight. Either check back into Waterfront Lodge or check out alternatives in Where to Stay in Nuku’alofa: The Best Accommodations. Enjoy a meal at one of Nuku’alofa’s restaurants or toast to an amazing week in Tonga at one of Nuku’alofa’s bars! You will have a little bit of time to explore the last of the capital tomorrow.

Dining and Drink Recommendations

For dining back in the capital, treat yourself to some fine dining at Seaview Lodge (Vuna Road – west side of the palace) or enjoy the more casual vibes of Little Italy Restaurant (Vuna Road – west side of the palace), as listed in The Food Guide to Nuku’alofa.

If you’re up for some town antics, dance into the wee hours at Rehab (Taufa’ahau Road) or kick it on the karaoke at Ciora (Taufa’ahau Road). Check out the 5 Best Bars in Nuku’alofa to learn more.

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Day 7 – Explore Nuku’alofa + Departure

Travel time: 30 mins.

It’s your final day in Tonga, where you might have the chance to do a bit of sightseeing or tick one last activity off the 10 Adults-Only Activities in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu list! Otherwise, grab a coffee at one of the cafes in town, pick up some unique souvenirs from the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre or Talamahu Market, and book a taxi to Fua’amotu Airport.

Day Tour of Nuku’alofa

Potter around the capital soaking in the sights of grand churches, the Royal Tombs, the Royal Palace and more. Check out A Self-Guided Day Tour of Nuku’alofa. We even have a cycling itinerary in The Best Cycling Routes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

Alternative Activities in Nuku’alofa for Adults

• Relax with a soothing spa treatment
• Take a private tour of Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
• Get a Tongan-inspired tattoo.

Learn more about each experience in the 10 Adult-Only Activities in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu or see even more activities in the 30 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa.

Departure from Tonga

Remember to arrive at the airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the small selection of retail offerings. For anything else you need to know about leaving Tonga, it’s all listed in our guide, Leaving Tonga: Departure Tips & Checklist.

And it’s “Nofo ā” (goodbye) to Tonga!