Sightseeing Tours of Tongatapu
Tongatapu might be the largest island in Tonga but it’s still pretty small at only 257 km² (100 mi²). Combine that fact with the countless historical, royal and natural sights throughout the island and you have the perfect place for a sightseeing tour! Luckily, there are a few tour companies, as well as accommodations, offering guided tours of Tongatapu, which allow you to hit the highlights with a knowledgeable guide. Check out some of the tours available in this list of the best guided island land tours on Tongatapu!
1. Teta Tours & Travel
Whether you’re looking for a short trip, a full-day escapade or even a culture and cave tour, Teta Tours & Travel does it all! Their “West Coast Island Scenic Tour” is a 2-hour driving tour of Tongatapu’s western highlights, including the Three-Headed Coconut Tree, Mapu‘a Vaea Blowholes, the Flying Foxes of Kolovai, the Abel Tasman Landing Site and Tsunami Rock. Alternatively, the “East Coast Historical Sites & ‘Anahulu Cave” starts in Nuku’alofa with the royal sights before heading to the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon and taking the time to swim at ‘Anahulu Cave. The tour is approximately 3 hours.
Better yet, combine it all in the 4/5-hour “Full Island Tour“. Note that lunch is not included, but your guide will stop for you to buy some (bring cash). We highly recommend Teta Tours’ “Culture Tour“, as described in the 10 Best Culture Activities in Tonga.
Location: Pick-ups are available around Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Raea’s Taxi & Tour Services
Meet Loa, your friendly Tongan tour guide who is passionate about his island and showing visitors Tongatapu’s breathtaking sights. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple or a group of up to six, Raea’s Taxi & Tour Services offers a range of rates and itineraries to suit. The more people on the tour, which can be shared with other sightseers, the cheaper it is!
A typical tour has you heading up west to the Abel Tasman Landing Site, then following the coast down to Ha’atafu Beach and Tsunami Rock. Be amazed by the ocean’s power at Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes and Hufangalupe Natural Land Bridge. Then, it’s time to head east to the Terraced Tombs, Fishing Pigs, Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon and finally, a dip in ‘Anahulu Cave. Tours include a drinking coconut, smiles and good times – you bring the rest. Tours last approximately 5/6 hours.
Location: Tours depart from the corner of Laifone Road and Tu’i Road (at the gate for the Royal Tombs), Nuku’alofa.
© Raea's Taxi & Tour Services3. Tonga Holiday Villa Tours
Operating out of the popular guesthouse, Tonga Holiday Villa, Tonga Holiday Villa Tours provides an easy way to see the sights of Tongatapu. Half-day and full-day tours are available with a local guide taking you to see highlights, such as the Ha’amonga’a Maui Trilithon, Captain Cook’s Landing Place, ‘Anahulu Cave, Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes, as well as sights across Nuku’alofa if you choose, as their tours are fully customisable. The tour also includes bottled water, tropical fruits and refreshments throughout. They offer group rates, as well as rates for solo travellers.
Location: Departs from Tonga Holiday Villa, Popua, Nuku’alofa or pick-ups from Nuku’alofa are included.
© Tonga Holiday Villa4. Tonga Travel Troupe
Enjoy an exclusive tour, especially for you and your group of up to four on the 6-hour “Private VIP Tour” with Tonga Travel Troupe. Hit the sights on a suggested itinerary, such as the Royal Palace and Tombs, the Abel Tasman Landing Site, Flying Foxes of Kolovai, Tsunami Rock, Mapu ‘a Vaea Blowholes, Three-Headed Coconut Tree, Hufangalupe Land Bridge, Captain Cook’s Landing Site, the Terrace Tombs, Ha’amonga ‘a Maui and the Fishing Pigs – whew! Otherwise, hit any other attractions you want to see spending as much time as you want at each on this bespoke tour. Lunch is included.
Location: Includes pick-up from Nuku’alofa.
© Tonga Travel Troupe5. Toni’s Island Tour
Operating a selection of well-established guesthouses across Nuku’alofa, Toni and Leni from Toni’s Guesthouses also offer island tours! The Tongan/palangi duo have been operating their tourism business for more than a decade, showcasing the sights and sounds of Tongatapu with all of the usual 10 Best Sights & Natural Attractions on Tongatapu included on the tour. This is a full-day tour, lasting anywhere between five to seven hours depending on your group and what you want to do. This is another tour where the price is cheaper per person the more you tour with, so it’s ideal if you can get a group together. Otherwise, this tour is a popular option with cruise ship passengers, as showcased in the 10 Best Tonga Shore Excursions. However, you’ll need to bring your own lunch.
Location: Pick-ups are available in Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Hibiscus Tours
A travel agent operating out of the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Hibiscus Tours can arrange half- and full-island day tours around Tongatapu. They’ll hire a driver for you to see prearranged sites, but you’ll need to bring your own refreshments. The “Western Side Tour” is 2 hrs 30 mins and features the Abel Tasman Landing Site, Ha’afatu Beach, Three-Headed Coconut, Tsunami Rock and Blowholes. The “Eastern Side Tour” is 2-3 hours and hits Captain Cook’s Landing Site, Terraced Tombs, Ha’amonga ‘a Maui and ‘Anahulu Cave (pay your own entry fee). Finally, see it all on the “Full Island” tour. A minimum of two passengers is required for the “Eastern” and “Full Island” tours to go ahead. Note that these are shared tours.
Location: Tours depart from Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore About Guided Island Land Tours of Tongatapu
That’s it for our list of the best guided island land tours of Tongatapu. For more experiences on Tongatapu, take a look at the following:
- The Best Snorkel & Scuba Dive Tours on Tongatapu
- 5 Best Whale Swim Tours on Tongatapu
- 9 Best Island Day Trips & Tours from Nuku’alofa
Finally, plan your entire stay to Tonga’s main island with ease using The Complete Travel Guide to Tongatapu.
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