Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) - 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. See news item for details and useful links for further information.
Description:
Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukuʻalofa. It is located in Tonga’s southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country’s most highly populated island.
Tongatapu is Tonga’s centre of government and the seat of its monarchy.
Nuku’alofa, once a run-down town due to numerous burnt out buildings, is undergoing a facelift, with the town boasting many new buildings, yet still retaining some tradition. Most importantly for cruisers it has an excellent fresh vegetable market. The Internet is probably the best of all the Pacific islands with fibre optic cables in place and 3G+.
Tongatapu 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.
Entrance notes or cautions:
Tonga has a new island, about 65 kilometres north north-west of Tongatapu (approx. 20° 34′ 12″ S, 175° 22′ 48″ W), which started forming in January 2016 after a volcano began erupting. Tonga’s lands and natural resources ministry has examined the island and stated that the newly formed landmass is around 800m wide and 1.3km long.
Position:
21°08’12″S, 175°11’02″W (harbor entrance)
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Thank you, Russ, for your correction. We have found this to be accurate and have now updated noonsite.
Note that the “new” island is NNW of Tongatapu not SW/SSW as stated repeatedly on this website. Seems to be a perpetuated mistake from original media reports. The lat/long is correct and the island (Hunga Ha’apai) is on the charts.
An update from Russ and Gwen 2016:
We are actually here again this season after passage from NZ and hanging right where we were two years ago and loving it. Very little has changed over the past two years since we were here last. Big Mamas Yacht Club is slowly modernizing with things like new refrigeration making for very cold cruisers ale.
Big Mamas also continues the Year End wrap up party for Cruisers. The party includes a performance by the Nuku’alofa Police Band, who are terrific, playing great tunes, great party atmosphere with dancing and carrying on well into the night. “The Party” is the last Friday of October, just as most yachts are preparing for the passage to NZ.
Clearance in and out remains the same, we had very pleasant officials again this season, just no issues at all.
The town of Nuku’alofa is also modernizing with many new buildings and shops, shopping is also modernizing. One mega project is the new domestic shipping and passenger port which yet again adds to a modernization of the waterfront. There has been an influx of offshore people with the typical influence, perhaps not all good, but such is “progress” out here.
Otherwise, we maintain our opinion that Nuku’alofa is a worthwhile stop when heading either direction.
Cheers from Pangaimotu
Russ and Gwen
Canadian Yacht A-TRAIN
Arriving out of season, Nuku’alofa radio had no idea what to do with a yacht. The ‘customs jetty’ was occupied by locals, no room anywhere. Hailed by Westly Nau (+676-861-9436), who took care of everything.
Including an alongside berth and finding the out-of-office immigration official for me. Mr. fix-it indeed. He should be listening on ch 16 later this year (as soon as he can afford a VHF)