Men in grass skirts with sweet potatoes at central market.

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Tongatapu

Low-lying Tongatapu (Sacred South) is Tonga's main island – and the landing and launching pad for most adventures in Tonga. Around two-thirds of Tonga's 106,000 residents live here, most of them in the capital Nuku’alofa (Abode of Love – how romantic), also home to the royal family. Outside Nuku'alofa, the island is a patchwork of dark-brown agricultural plots, small villages, a few chilled-out resorts, wild stretches of coastline and more churches than a year full of Sundays. And smiling kids are everywhere!

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Sunset at the Mapu'a 'a Vaca (Chief's Whistles) Blowholes.

    Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes

    Tongatapu

    On an especially good day at Mapu’a ‘a Vaea (Chief’s Whistles), hundreds of blowholes spurt skywards at once. Time your visit for a windy day with a…

  • Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon

    Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon

    Tongatapu

    The South Pacific’s equivalent of Stonehenge, the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui (Maui’s Burden) trilithon near Niutoua, is one of ancient Polynesia’s most intriguing…

  • Talamahu Market

    Talamahu Market

    Tongatapu

    Want to see the real of Nuku’alofa? Wander through the aisles at Talamahu, Tonga's main fresh-produce hub. You’ll find produce piled into handmade woven…

  • Ha’atafu Beach

    Ha’atafu Beach

    Tongatapu

    On the sunset side of the island, Ha’atafu Beach is a sandy slice protected by a reef, where some of Tonga's best surf peels in (experienced surfers only…

  • Hufangalupe Archway

    Hufangalupe Archway

    Tongatapu

    Near nowhere in particular is this impressive arch, aka ‘the pigeon’s doorway’ – a natural land bridge over the pounding Pacific waves, formed when the…

  • Mu’a

    Mu’a

    Tongatapu

    The Mu’a area contains Tonga's richest concentration of archaeological remnants. In AD 1200, Tu’itatui, the 11th of the Tu’i Tonga kings, moved the royal…

  • Fafá

    Fafá

    Tongatapu

    Honeymooners, start your engines! Fronting onto a magnificent beach, Fafá Island Resort is the most elegant on Tongatapu’s offshore islands, but it makes…

  • Pangaimotu

    Pangaimotu

    Tongatapu

    The closest island resort to Nuku’alofa, Pangaimotu makes an easy day trip. Daily departures (including Sunday) chug out from the wharf beside the Fish…

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