Lifuka (Ha’apai) - General Info
ALERT: A large eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha-apai underwater volcano ocurred on 15 January 2022, causing a tsunami and ash fall in Tonga. The eruption was one of the biggest in Tonga in the past 30 years. In the Ha’apai Islands – Niniva Island, Atatā, Mango, Nomuka and Fonoifua were extensively damaged. See news item for details and useful links for further information.
Lifuka is the capital of Ha’apai group of islands and is on the island of Pangai. Of the many small islands in this group, only about 15 to 20 are inhabited. Provisions are hard to come by on these islands so arrive well stocked.
Humpback whales are everywhere in the Ha’apai group between August and October. Humpbacks come to the warm, shallow and protected waters in Tonga to breed and give birth.
Ha’apai is one of the areas in Tonga which is now subject to Special Management Areas (SMAs) and Fish Habitat Reserves (FHRs).
See the Tonga Restrictions section for full details
Position: 19°48’09″S, 174°21′11″W.
Other Islands in the Ha’apai group:
Ha’ano Island
This island is about 8 miles north of Lifuka.
Location: 19° 40′ 26.4″ S, 174° 16′ 40.8″ W.
Uoleva Island
Just 5 miles south of Pangai with a large bay and long sandy beach providing excellent shelter against prevailing trade winds. The Uovela Yacht club is run by Craig Airey and Kristen Duirs and is located in the middle of the bay. A welcoming place for yachties including cruiser information for Ha’api/Tongatapu. More details below.
Location: 19° 50′ 56″ S, 174° 24′ 16″ W.
Kelefesia
Kelefesia is the southernmost island in the Ha’apai group, and it is only 35 miles north of Nuku’alofa (see photo right courtesy of SY Adina). It is a dramatically beautiful island. These combined characteristics make it an ideal stop between the Ha’apai and Tongatapu groups. The tiny anchorage at Kelefesia cannot handle more than three boats at any one time and is also prone to being very rolly. The island is privately owned, but they welcome boaters to anchor here year-round and to land on the shore.
Location: 20° 30′ 00″ S, 174° 44′ 00″ W.
Ha’afeva
A very small island which is keen to encourage visitors, villagers are very welcoming. It is located 30nm southwest of Pangai.
Location: 20° 2′ 30.12″ S, 174° 39′ 21.6″ W.
Download this useful pdf on cruising the Ha’apai Archipelago by SY Adina (2014).
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Related to following destinations: Lifuka (Ha'apai), Tonga
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Posted on behalf of Tom Partridge, SY Adina
A few of us have sailed through Ha’aipai and are just stunned why so few are sailing these islands. All of us agree they are the most unspoilt beautiful islands we have seen in the Pacific.
Locals think stories of cyclones have scared people off plus sailors are nervous of reefs. If you can do the Tuamotos you can sail the Ha’apai! We want to buy one of these islands.