Nukualofa

Before arrival you cross the international date line and therefore lose one day. Town is walkable from the quay, passing the Tourist Information center where tours can be discussed. On disembarking in Nukualofa, numerous minivans and touts invite passengers onto trips; sharing one is a sensible choice.

Riots and fires severely damaged Nukualofa a few years ago. Much has been restored, although signs remain. If time permits, take a tour around Tongatapu island.

Bring a printable map.

The Kingdom of Tonga, Tongan for “south,” is a South Pacific archipelago of 169 islands, 36 inhabited. They extend roughly 800 kilometers (500 miles) from north to south, below Samoa and about one-third of the distance from New Zealand to Hawaii.

Among the island countries of the Pacific Ocean, Tonga is the only surviving monarchy and the only nation never to have been formally colonised.

Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa Town, occupies a narrow isthmus between the Pacific Ocean to the north and the turquoise but polluted Fanga’uta Lagoon to the south. Its population is only 30,000. Quiet, extensive and practical, it has few attractions beyond the Royal Palace and lively market, limited shopping, and plentiful accommodation aimed mainly at business travellers and Tongans returning from newly adopted homes overseas.

The Royal Palace is downtown’s most distinctive sight. Closed to visitors, this colonial wooden building from 1867 is clearly visible from the waterfront. The Royal Tombs occupy a maintained park that is also closed, though they can be seen through its fence. To come close to Royalty, attend Centenary Church on Sunday, where the King and Queen worship.

For handicrafts, the dependable Langafonua women’s co-operative downtown charges reasonable prices. Vuna Road’s harbour wall, beside most Nuku’alofa tourist accommodation, is useful for a stroll and views of offshore islands. Its coarse-coral beach is frequently littered but remains OK for swimming.

Local dress is distinctive. Roughly half of men wear an ankle-length lava-lava, similar to a wraparound skirt, topped with a short-sleeved shirt. For formal occasions such as church, legal business and certain jobs, they add tapa tied at the waist using a woven, leather belt-like piece.

Fafa Island is a brief boat journey from Nuku’alofa, offering attractive beaches, clear sea and excellent opportunities to snorkel or relax.

On Saturdays, Talamahu market becomes busy by Tongan standards and is worth seeing. Several pleasant central cafés and restaurants offer an escape from the drone, while an Internet café or bus stop may provide the only reason to return.

The Pa’anga, also called the Tongan dollar, is the national currency. $1.00 is approximately TOP 2.

Tongan and English are the official languages.

Retail hours are Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1200. Everything closes on Sundays.