Things to Do on a Child-Free Getaway to Tonga
Looking to set the right tone for a peaceful romantic getaway or somehow you’ve managed to get away from your own kids for a week? Adventure and relaxation await in the off-the-beaten-track islands of Tonga, which offers an awesome array of experiences that are best enjoyed with your fellow adult. We’re talking scuba diving, reeling in huge fish, sipping on cocktails in the sun, or drinking kava with the locals, and, of course, the life-changing experience of swimming with whales. Check out more things to do on your adults-only getaway in this list of adult-only activities in Tonga.
1. Snorkel with Humpback Whales
Swimming in the open water with some of the world’s largest mammals… Needless to say, you won’t find many families on the whale-swimming boats of Tonga. Each year between July and October, humpback whales make an amazing migration from the Antarctic to the tropical waters of Tonga. During this time, visitors have the unique opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants on licenced whale swimming tours. Learn more about the experience in The Guide to Whale Swimming in Tonga.
Location: All over Tonga! See the Where to Swim with Whales in Tonga for recommended destinations.
(c) tongapocketguide.com2. Scuba Dive Among Caves, Corals and Shipwrecks
Providing kids can’t learn to dive until they are at least 10 years old (not to mention, there are limited scuba schools in Tonga), rest assured you won’t be sharing the dive boat with too many little devils. Besides, it often feels like it’s just you and the amazing marine life around you as you enter the silent world of coral reefs harbouring tropical fish, nudibranchs, starfish and much more. Tonga is home to some incredible seascapes, from the largest cave dive in the South Pacific to the exciting Clan MacWilliam wreck dive. Find out more about incorporating some scuba into your getaway in The Guide to Scuba Diving in Tonga.
Location: All over Tonga! See the 10 Best Dive Sites in Tonga to get an idea of the best locations.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism3. Indulge in an Island Spa Treatment
Escape from the chaos of life and enter a world of utter bliss with one of the island spa treatments in Tonga. Some of the island resorts have therapists on hand to tend to your aches and pains or simply to help you relax with a soothing massage. Even if you’re in Nuku’alofa, you’ll find some fantastic spas in the small city, which offer an array of body wraps, massages and beauty treatments. Check out the 5 Best Spas in Tonga for more information.
Location: All over Tonga! See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Drink and Be Merry at Tonga’s Bars
There’s nothing like watching the sun go down behind the silhouette of coconut palms as you sip on a fresh fruit cocktail. In fact, there are many refreshing drinks to try in Tonga, from Tongan beers to a local fruit drink called ‘otai. You can also try kava, a drink made from the ground-up roots of a pepper plant, which is the real drink of the islands. Guesthouses and resorts can often arrange for you to join a kava circle or experience a kava ceremony. For more on nighttime antics in The Kingdom, take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Tonga.
Location: All over Tonga! Start with the link above for destination recommendations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Jump on a Fishing Charter
Almost 100% of the time, it’s just you, your holiday companions and the skipper/fishing guide on a fishing charter in Tonga. Head out to the bluewater to reel in some of the South Pacific’s largest species of fish, including marlin, tuna, mahimahi, giant trevally and much more. Nothing beats the adrenaline of fighting in these strong pelagics, while nothing beats the taste of the fruits of your labour! Learn more about this experience in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Tonga.
Location: All over Tonga! See the best fishing destinations in the link above.
(c) tongapocketguide.com6. Hike in the ‘Eua National Park
It’s unlikely that you’ll come across anyone on the secluded yet stunning tracks of ‘Eua. Located on Tonga’s oldest island, ‘Eua National Park is a nature lover’s paradise with its large tract of ancient tropical forest full of giant banyan trees and the sound of the red shining parrot. On your journey, you’ll come across large sinkholes, caves, rock gardens, natural archways and stunning lookouts across the island. Learn more about experiencing ‘Eua on an adults-only getaway in The Adults-Only Travel Guide to ‘Eua.
Location: ‘Eua. See the 5 Best Hikes on ‘Eua for the locations of the island’s hikes.
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. Kitesurf Across Ha’apai’s Tranquil Lagoons
Although a bit of a watersports niche, if you have ever had any interest in kitesurfing, then you have to try it out on the lagoons of Ha’apai. The central island group of Tonga is renowned for its consistent tradewinds and flat lagoon waters ideal for harnessing the elements on a wakeboard. There are also a few resorts in Vava’u which have good lagoons for kitesurfing – learn more about them in The Guide to Kitesurfing in Tonga. Plus, check out more things you can do on an adults-only getaway in the 10 Best Adult-Only Activities in Ha’apai.
Location: Ha’apai and Vava’u. See the link above for specific locations and check out resorts in the 10 Best Kitesurfing Resorts in Tonga.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism8. Hit the Surf Breaks at Ha’atafu Beach
Intermediate to advanced surfers will find some amazing reef breaks off the shores of Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu Beach on the western side of Tongatapu. Just a 100 m (330 ft) paddle from the beach is some rolling barrels across the reefs, with different breaks to try out between summer and winter. For those feeling really adventurous, there are some epic waves to surf on the shallow reefs of Vava’u, only accessible by boat. Learn more about surfing in The Complete Guide to Surfing in Tonga, while you can check out more things to do on Tonga’s main island in the 10 Best Adult-Only Activities in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.
Location: Tongatapu and Vava’u. See specific locations in the 5 Best Places to Surf in Tonga.
(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism9. Do a Yoga Session in Ha’apai or Vava’u
The private island resorts across Ha’apai and Vava’u provide ideal surroundings to relax and rejuvenate with a yoga session. Some resorts in these island groups have their own yoga pavilion or shala where you can take part in daily yoga sessions. Check out the 5 Beautiful Places to Experience Yoga in Tonga for more inspiration. Plus, see more adult-only attractions in the 10 Best Adults-Only Activities in Vava’u.
Location: Location: All over Tonga! See the link above for recommended locations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com10. Get a Tongan Tattoo
Ok, so this might not be something for everybody, but if visiting Tonga was an experience you never want to forget, then make a piece of it stick with you forever by getting a Tongan tattoo! It’s no secret that Polynesian cultures make the best tattoo designs. There are a couple of fantastic tattoo studios in Nuku’alofa which design stunning pieces of art from the islands. What’s more, some even offer free consultations, so it doesn’t hurt to give them a go…
Location: Happy Sailor Tattoo – 1-4 Taumoepeau Building, corner Salote and Fatafehi Road, Nuku’alofa. Kaila Tattoo – Vuna Road, Touliki, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
(c) tongapocketguide.comMore Adult-Only Activities in Tonga
That’s it for the best adults-only activities in Tonga. For more advice on planning your trip, take a look at the following guides:
- The Adults-Only Travel Guide to Tonga
- 5 Best Adults-Only Accommodations in Tonga
- How to Pick the Best Adults-Only Accommodation in Tonga for You
Finally, plan your entire child-free vacation using the Tonga Adult-Only Itinerary: 14 Days, Tonga Adult-Only Itinerary: 7 Days, Tonga Adult-Only Itinerary: 5 Days and Tonga Adult-Only Itinerary: 3 Days.
