Day 1 / 7
Neiafu
Neiafu on the Port of Refuge. Board from 5 pm, meet your skipper and enjoy the first dinner on board.
Photo: Arne Müseler / CC BY-SA 3.0 deSeasonJun–Oct
AirportVava’u
Cabin from$1,090
Boat from$8,140
A week here
Some fifty islands a few miles apart, sea caves and the chance to swim with humpback whales with local guides from July to October.
Itinerary
The week, day by day
Tap a day or a point on the map. Indicative route: your skipper adapts it to the wind.
Day 2 / 7
Swallows Cave
Swallows Cave: take the dinghy into a sea cave full of fish.
Day 3 / 7
Port Maurelle
Port Maurelle, a white-sand bay for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 4 / 7
Whale Watch
Out with a local guide to swim with humpback whales (July to October).
Day 5 / 7
Kenutu
Kenutu: ocean-side cliffs and a reef on the lagoon side.
Tapana
Day 6 / 7
Tapana
Tapana and a Tongan feast with roast pig on the beach.
Day 7 / 7
Neiafu
Back to Neiafu, breakfast and disembark.
Season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Flight to Vava’u (VAV) vía Auckland
—
Approximate; with a connection when there is no direct flight.
Now bookingDepartures in
All destinations
Departures in
Tonga
We sail every Saturday.
31Destinations
8Kinds of week
12Guests per boat
Extras
Make it yours
Services from trusted local suppliers. Ask when you book and we send you a price.
Wildlife and whales
Trips with naturalists to see dolphins, whales or turtles.
Guided snorkeling
The best reefs and spots with a local guide.
Diving and PADI courses
Try-dives, guided dives or your diving licence during the week.
Fishing
A morning of fishing with local fishermen.
Chef or host on board
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners cooked on board with local produce.
Provisioning delivered
Arrive to a full fridge: food, drinks and ice.
Airport–marina transfers
We pick you up at the airport and drop you at the boat.
Photographer and drone
A shoot on board and the week filmed from the air.
Travel and cancelation insurance
Travel with medical and cancelation cover.
Book online
Book your week
Pick a week to see prices and availability.
…
Experiences
See all (12)Experiences in Vava’u
WildlifeSwim with Humpback Whales in Tonga (Vava’u)
One of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences on Earth: swimming alongside humpback whales and their calves in the sheltered waters of Vava’u. A full-day trip with a licensed operator and guide.
from $320 per person7 h →
DivingScuba Diving in Vava’u, Tonga: 2 Dives
Dive caves, walls and reefs in the Vava’u archipelago, with clear water and very few people. In season, the song of humpback whales accompanies you underwater.
from $120 per person5 h →
SnorkellingVava’u Caves & Snorkel Tour: Swallows & Mariner’s
Explore Tonga’s most famous sea caves by boat: Swallows Cave, with its blue light and schools of fish, and Mariner’s Cave, entered by free-diving. With snorkeling stops on coral reefs.
from $70 per person6 h →
FishingVava’u Sport Fishing Charter, Tonga
Game fishing in Tonga’s deep waters: marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Private boat with skipper and tackle, from Neiafu harbor.
from $570 per group4 h →
DivingPADI Open Water Course in Vava’u, Tonga
Earn your scuba certification in the clear, sheltered waters of Vava’u, among hard corals, caves and, in season, the song of humpback whales. A 3 to 4-day course with PADI instructors.
from $615 per person3–4 days →
SnorkellingGuided Sea Kayak Day Trip in Vava’u
Paddle between jungle-clad islands, white-sand coves and coral reefs in the Vava’u archipelago with a local guide. A full day with snorkeling and lunch on a deserted beach.
from $90 per person6 h →
SailingVava’u Day Sail: Islands & Snorkeling
Sail the sheltered waters of Vava’u, one of the Pacific’s top cruising grounds, with swim and snorkel stops. Shared sailboat with skipper and lunch.
from $105 per person6 h →
WildlifeVava’u Whale Watching Boat Tour
Watch humpback whales, mothers and calves, from the boat in their Tongan breeding waters. For those who want the spectacle without getting in the water.
from $145 per person5 h →
Local guideVava’u Island Tour & Mount Talau
Explore Vava’u’s main island by car with a Tongan guide: viewpoints, villages, vanilla plantations and Mount Talau above the Port of Refuge. A half day of culture and scenery.
from $60 per person4 h →
FoodTongan Feast: Umu Banquet & Dance Show
A traditional dinner cooked in an earth oven (umu) on a Vava’u beach, with Tongan dance and music. The island’s most authentic cultural experience.
from $45 per person3 h →
Boat tripPrivate Boat Charter for a Day in Vava’u
A boat with skipper just for your group to explore the islands, caves and reefs of Vava’u at your own pace. Snorkeling, deserted beaches and lunch on an island.
from $660 per group7 h →
TransferVava’u Airport to Neiafu Transfer
Private transfer from Lupepau’u airport to your accommodation or marina in Neiafu. A driver waiting for your flight and help with luggage.
from $20 per group20 min →
Book with confidence
- Hold your place with a $220 deposit
- Pay the rest in instalments up to 60 days before
- Free date change up to 90 days before
- 24-hour cancelation, full refund
Questions
Before you sail
When is the best time to sail in Tonga: Vava’u?
The season runs from June to October.
How do I get there?
Fly to Vava’u (VAV) vía Auckland. Your skipper meets you at the marina.
How much is it?
Cabins from $1,090 per person or the whole boat from $8,140 per week.
What is included?
The boat, a licensed skipper, bed linen, towels, final cleaning and insurance. Food, drinks, fuel and marinas come from a shared on-board kitty.
How much is the kitty?
Usually $170–$280 per person per week, depending on meals ashore and motoring.
How do I book?
Choose your week and destination, reserve with a $220 deposit per person and pay the balance 60 days before.