10 Best Island Resorts in Tonga 🏝️ [2024]

Glorious Island Resorts in Tonga

With around 170 islands, and most being uninhabited, Tonga is the destination for that island resort holiday. Forget flashy five-star affairs, however, as Tonga’s island resort experience is better described as “rugged luxury”. Stay in one of just a handful of fales, likely with no electricity except for at the communal dining fale, and feel the sand between your toes as soon as you leave your private elevated deck. It’s as if a castaway experience on one of the most stunning jewels in the South Pacific featured a few extra comforts. We’ll show you what we mean in this list of the best island resorts in Tonga.

Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country with some services that accommodations provide changing with little notice. While we try to keep our accommodation listings up-to-date, know that some services may have changed. If you have an update, feel free to reach out.

1. Treasure Island Eco Resort (Vava’u)

Get the real island experience at Treasure Island Eco Resort and its eight traditionally thatched fales. The resort on Eueiki Island in Vava’u has 48 acres (19 ha) of private island for its guests, offering an off-the-grid experience with solar power and a rainwater filtration system. Enjoy unique whale swimming experiences from the resort’s outrigger or enjoy complimentary use of kayaks, snorkelling gear and volleyball equipment. Meals are available as part of a meal plan at the on-site restaurant, and note that children under 12 are only allowed under special arrangements. The resort is open for the whale season until November. Learn more about this resort (and many others) in The Top 25 Resorts in Tonga.

10 Best Island Resorts in Tonga 🏝️ [2023]

2. Mala Island Resort (Vava’u)

Set on 20 acres (8 ha) of a stunning private island, Mala Island Resort provides an idyllic stay in Vava’u. You’ll have access to a white sandy beach with fantastic snorkelling just 3 m (10 ft) from the shore. The eight fales are decorated with beautiful tapa-cloth and woven panel walls with bed layouts of either two queens or one king bed. The ensuite bathrooms have hot water, while outside is your private deck boasting amazing island and ocean views. Relax in the open-air restaurant with an a la carte menu and free WiFi. There are also kayaks and SUP boards to make use of, while tours with outside operators can also be arranged from the resort. What’s more, Mala Island is one of the closest to the main island, with airport transfers taking approximately one hour. See how it compares to the 10 Best Resorts in Vava’u.

Check Mala Island Resort out:

3. Serenity Beaches Resort (Ha’apai)

Admittedly, this resort in Ha’apai actually shares an island with three other resorts but provides that “castaway” experience nonetheless. At Serenity Beaches Resort, choose from unique open-air or fully-enclosed fales each nestled in a private section of forest and each with an outside garden bathroom. Either way, guests spend their time here doing yoga in the pavilion, dining on healthy meals made from fresh local ingredients in the homely dining fale, and making use of SUP boards, kayaks and snorkelling gear to explore the wonderful underwater world from beaches accessible from the front and back of the resort. The resort also operates whale swimming tours in the season, but your most frequent encounter with the whales will most likely be seeing them from the beach! See more romantic stays like this in the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Serenity Beaches Resort out:

4. Diana Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Diana Beach Resort (formerly Taiana’s Resort) is another option on the same Ha’apai island on Uoleva Island. The resort has three Tongan-style fales which are simple but add to the island adventure! Each fale is lined with beautifully woven walls and contains a double bed, mosquito net, a box to put food in, and a bedside table with a solar lantern – think of it like beach glamping! Guests share a shower and toilet in a separate block, while there’s also a communal kitchen and dining room building where you can also charge your devices. Families can stay too thanks to the resort also offering a larger beach house. Backpackers have the option to camp on the grounds in one of the tents available if the other fales are occupied.

As for entertainment, well, you better enjoy snorkelling, lazying on the beach and whale swimming during the whale season! Breakfast and dinner are also available to order, so give your hosts notice. Airport/ferry transfers to the island are also offered (and mandatory to get to the resort) for a fee. See how Diana compares to the 5 Best Budget Resorts in Tonga.

5. Blue Lagoon Resort (Vava’u)

Stay in one of the four overwater beach huts at the Blue Lagoon Resort. Each beach hut is unique being either a bungalow or split-level and most have a private deck. Whatever you choose, your simplistic yet quirky abode on a private island in Vava’u is fully powered by solar and wind energy. The resort caters to couples, families and groups, where time can be shared swimming with whales on their own reputable whale-watching tour, watching whales from the beach, kayaking and snorkelling. Food is served as part of a meal plan at the on-site restaurant. Note that the resort is only open from July to October (the whale season). For more like this, check out the 10 Best Resorts for Whale Swimming in Tonga.

6. Dream Island Resort (Vava’u)

An adults-only castaway experience in Vava’u, the Dream Island Resort is exclusively for guests over the age of 16. There’s a choice of three beach bungalows and one garden bungalow all very spacious with queen beds, an outside ensuite and a private verandah. Your time on the (almost) uninhabited Euakafa Island is a relaxing one with some strong Robinson Crusoe vibes. You can spend your time hiking, watching whales from the beach, snorkelling in the island’s coral reef, and watching birds and flying foxes. Needless to say, this is not the place to be if you’re not into providing your own entertainment. Meal plans are advised, which include breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner in the dining fale that, admittedly, is in need of some repair after cyclone damage. Check out more child-free retreats in the 5 Best Adults-Only Resorts in Tonga.

7. Mounu Island Resort (Vava’u)

Get the private island experience at the Mounu Island Resort. The island in Vava’u features vivid white coral sands and is surrounded by a coral reef ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and kitesurfing. There are exclusively four fales to choose from, each with its own piece of private waterfront. Each fale is made from timber and with a shingle roof to be in harmony with the natural environment. Whale watching is also available from the island through the island’s own operation, Whale Watch Vava’u. Discover more about this island group in Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

8. Sea Change Eco Retreat (Ha’apai)

Escape from the modern world and worries and experience an alternative lifestyle at this off-the-grid resort on the uninhabited Uoleva Island. Sea Change Eco Retreat might be known across Ha’apai for its fantastic whale swimming tours, but it also offers a boutique resort experience staying in either safari tents with a comfortable double bed or a large wooden fale with an outdoor shower. Each accommodation is in its own little area of forest with various pathways leading straight onto the beach. Then straight from said beach, you can snorkel, kayak or paddleboard! Other activities on offer include yoga in their dedicated yoga shala, spa treatments in their beautiful massage fale, and sports fishing in May and June. There’s a choice of vegetarian or meat/seafood dishes in their compulsory meal plan, while drinks are available to purchase at the bar. Note that the resort is open from May to October. For more stays in this island group, check out our guide, Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

9. The Reef Resort (Vava’u)

Boasting one of the most contemporary and upmarket resorts in Vava’u (and the whole of Tonga), The Reef Resort on Kapa Island is an ample choice for travellers who prefer modern comforts. Five bungalows are scattered among the gardens and directly on the beach, providing a tranquil retreat for guests. Bungalows feature a king canopy bed and an extra single or two bedrooms with a king and a queen. Dining is easily the main event here as European Polynesian cuisine is prepared by decorated German or Swiss chefs. Such dining experiences are welcome, especially after hiking over the island to the breathtaking bay of Port Mourelle or making use of the kayaks, a clear-bottom kayak, SUP boards and Hobie cat to explore the surrounding waters and nearby Japanese Coral Garden.

Check The Reef Resort out:

10. Mandala Resort (Vava’u)

Mandala Resort is exclusively available as a seven-day all-inclusive package through TradeWinds. Either stay on Fetoko Island for the complete seven days or mix it up with a sailing catamaran excursion. Either way, the resort offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, from making use of the water toys available to yoga sessions on the beach. Your stay will be in one of the six hand-crafted fales, including two luxurious treehouses. The resort also offers an upmarket dining experience with all meals and drinks included, including a Tongan cultural feast and entertainment on the neighbouring island. The resort is open from the end of February to the beginning of January. Note that the resort is for 16+ years only unless exclusively hiring. For more on their sailing charters, check out the 5 Best Liveaboards & Boat Stays in Tonga.

More About Island Resorts in Tonga

That’s it for the best island resorts in Tonga but by no means the end of our Tonga advice! Check out the following guides for more tips on choosing the perfect resort in Tonga:

Finally, if you’re still trying to find the perfect place to stay, start from scratch with Where to Stay in Tonga: The Best Accommodations in Tonga. Plus, get even more advice for planning your trip in our 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga and The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.

Author

Laura (Lola) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page