Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) - Fuel & LPG
Gas bottles can be filled at the gas depot east of the Naval Base and just inland. Earle at Big Mama Yacht Club will happily do this for you for a small fee.
Duty-free fuel can be ordered and delivered to the pier by truck, but is only available on the day of departure after clearing out; set this up through Customs. Has to be paid for with cash only. Fuel available from Pacific Energy or Total, 24 hours prior to departure. A minimum of 1000L is required, but they often will also deliver 200L drums. You have to fill your own tanks. If a few of you need fuel it is a better idea to time this together.
For smaller quantities, non-duty-free diesel can often more easily be obtained by dropping jerry cans off Big Mama Yacht Club on Pangaimotu (VHF 08).
Petrol available from various stations around the town.
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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)