Tongatapu is the largest island in the Kingdom of Tonga. It is home to two thirds of its people. A roughly triangular shaped island measures about 34 km across from west to east. Most of the island is less than 17 meters above sea level. The capital Nuku'alofa, is a slow paced city of about 30,000 inhabitants.

Nuku'alofa's white Victorian "Royal Palace" is symbol synonymous with the Kingdom of Tonga. Visitors can see the palace from outside of the surrounding walls. When H.M. King Taufa'ahau Tupou is in residence -- the royal standard is flying from the palace. This was once home of the late Queen Salote Tupou III, mother of the present king.

The Capital -- Nuka'alofa, the capital of Tonga is the center of government and is the seat of His Majesty and Legislative Assembly. Tonga is a Constitutional Monarchy, which came into being in 1875 -- with a declaration of the Tongan Constitution by King Tupou I. Today the Tongan government is divided into three bodies: a.) The King Privy Council and Cabinet, b.) The Legislative Assembly and c.) The Judiciary.

Restaurants -- Visitors to Nuku'alofa will find a good selection of restaurants offering International and Tongan cuisine. Seafood's -- fresh lobster, shell fish, and fresh fish are available all year You will be amazed at the variety inexpensive and well prepared lobster dishes. Marinated raw fish ['ota ika] is often served as appetizer -- prepared with raw fish marinated in fresh coconut milk, lime juice and hot chili peppers. Tongan feasts and traditional entertainment are often found at hotels and resorts.

"Lesieli's" is a new restaurant - specializing in Polynesian cuisine. You will find well-established Chinese Restaurants, such as "Fakalato" , or if you prefer there are Italian, French, and German restaurants to choose from. All Tongan restaurants are licensed. Feasting is a major part of any event in Tonga. Note that suckling pig is roasted over an open fire; other Tongan foods are cooked in an underground oven called an "umu." This gives the food a wonderful rich flavor not matched by other methods of cooking.

Bars and Night Clubs -- Many restaurants have small bars and several are located along the waterfront are popular watering holes. Visit the Pacific Royale Hotel bar or upstairs at the Nuku'alofa Hotel. The International Dateline Hotel has a delightful pool side bar and open air restaurant.. The main bar is located in the reception area. The International Dateline Hotel has a good floor-show and special buffet nights. Details are available at the front desk. There are several good disco clubs around Nuku'alofa which are popular with younger persons. Some nightclubs such as the Ambassador are located a short taxi ride from the town center.

Shopping -- Shopping in Nuku'alofa is a real adventure. Silk screen prints, tie dying and hand painted distinctly South Pacific clothes are made by several outlets. The visitor has plenty of local holiday fashion to choose from. "Look Sharp Tonga" -- offers a selection of casual and sports wear. Also see their airport location. Near the Friendly Island Bookshop you find the "Blue Banana Studios" -- interesting selection of hand printed art T-shirts and wrap-around lavalava. The AIC Pacific Fashions store across the intersection from the Post Office carries good selection of T-shirts. and fabrics with typical Tongan motif.

Visit the FIMCO handicraft shop and Langa Fonua Handicraft Center. -- Locally produced basket ware and jewelry. Local jewelers are found displaying their art at the vegetable market. Tiny dolphins and Polynesian motifs carved from cow bone or black coral are a good buy indeed. There are dozens of interesting shops along Nuku'alofa's main street and back roads -- you'll be surprised what you can find!

Immigration -- Visitors holding a valid passport and onward transportation documents are permitted to enter Tonga for up to 30 days. Extensions are possible. Application must be made to the Chief Immigration Officer at the Central Police Station. Ports of entry for cursing yachts include Niuatoputapu, Vava'u and Nuku'alofa.

Customs & Duty Free -- Prices for Duty Free goods in Tonga compare well with those of other Pacific destinations. The Leiola Duty Free Shop at Fua'amotu International Airport caters to both arrival and departing international passengers. A branch of the Leiola Duty Free Shop is also located at the International Dateline Hotel offers a good selection liquor, cigarettes, perfumes, jewelry and electrical goods. A selection of locally produced crafts and souvenirs is also available. The airport duty free shop opens for both arriving and departing international flights. Passengers over the age of 18 years the duty free allowance are 500 cigarettes or 100 cigars; 2.25 liters of spirits or 4.5 liters of wine or one carton containing 335 ml cans of beer.

Banks and Currency -- Commercial services are provided by: "The Bank of Tonga, MBF Bank and the ANZ Bank." All have offices in Nuku'alofa with branches in Vava'u. The Bank of Tonga has branches in other islands groups. All of the specified banks accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards. Banking services are available in the arrival and departure lounges at Fua'amotu Airport for currency exchange only. The Tongan Pa'anga (or dollar) equals 100 senti (or cents). There are no restrictions on bringing in or taking out funds remaining from the amount brought into Tonga,

Climate -- Tonga enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate throughout most of the year. There are great extremes of temperature. Nuku'alofa is located virtually halfway between the equator and Auckland. It is approximately on the same latitude south of the equator as Hawaii is north of it. The Kingdom of Tonga enjoys a slightly cooler more pleasant climate than its more northerly neighbors. The mean annual average temperature is about 23.7 'C in Nuku'alofa and 24.5 'C in Vava'u.

Religion -- Tongans are a nations of church-gores. On Sundays, the roads are filled with people in their Sunday best. Much of the Tongan population are of a Christian denomination. You will find Muslin groups, the Bahai Faith, and a Mormon Church. Visitors are welcome to attend services. The Tonga Visitors Bureau will help the visitor to make contacts. Our countries finest choirs are found in our churches. Come and listen to the choir of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga's Centenary Church at 10:00 am on Sundays. Catch a glimpse of the Royal Family. English services are held at the Anglican Church in Nuku'alofa and at other churches.

Sunday Activities -- The Tongan Constitution decrees the Sabbath be kept holy. All shops and most restaurants are closed. Checks may not be cashed on Sundays. The tourist industry avoids advertising Sunday opening hours. The outer island resorts and the Good Samaritan Inn at Kolovai cater with good restaurants for visitors and guests. The transfer boats for the outer islands leave Faua Wharf at 10 am or 11 am and return at about 5 pm.

Tongatapu - The Island

The island is an area of raised reef limestone on a deep base of volcanic sedimentary rock. The low northern cost is a reef platform, in places up to 200 meters in width. The high windward side of the eastern coast is known as "lilu" has a narrow reef ledge varying in height from 6 to 46 meters. The highest point of 65 meters lays between the airport village of Fu'amotu and Nakolo.

The south and east coasts face very deep water. See the blowholes at Houma. Here waves crash against the reef and through blowholes create spectacular sights. From south east coast the island of "Eua is visible. Tongatapu has no rivers are streams. Tongatapu's drinking water supply come from underground, called the water lens. Rainwater falling on the islands permutes and floats on top of the heavier sea water. This water is pumped up for the town supply. Rainwater collected in tanks is an alternative source of drinking water for many a Tongan home.

Tongatapu - some suggested sightseeing

Tongan National Center -- located across the main road from the Vaiola Hospital. The oval shaped buildings are based upon Polynesian design and their roof struts are bound decorative coconut fiber. Here the visitor will find handicraft demonstrations, tapa in canoe making, wood carving, basket and mat weaving. Historic photographic and artifacts on loan from the Royal Palace are worth seeing. Why not join a lunch time show and an interesting two hour guided tour.

Visit the "Royal Tombs" -- burial site of Tongan Royalty since 1893 is located in the center of Nuku'alofa. Its near the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua.

British High Commissioner's Residence -- is not far from the Royal Palace. See the cannons taken from the privateer Port au Prince captured 1806 at Ha'apai. The story of the capture and survival of a few of its English crew is told by William Mariner in the book "Tonga Islands."

Tongan Wildlife Center -- is home to many rare and interesting birds found in Tonga. The center has been so successful with its breeding program that surplus birds are released. The birds congregate in the surrounding trees filling the air with their songs. The Wildlife Center is open to the public daily from 9 am to 4 pm and Sundays until 6 pm. The rare Malau bird of Niuafo'ou is being bred here

At "Kolovai" you will find a "Flying Fox Sanctury" where during the day thousands flying foxes cling to the Casuarina trees. Flying foxes are an unusual mammal . They are found hanging upside down from trees. These bats become active at night fly looking for fruit trees in which to feed.

"Kolovai Beach" is a long sandy beach good for swimming and snorkeling. It too is a great spot for picnics. Here you will find the "Good Samaritan Inn" with its restaurant and bar. Friday nights is a must! "Ha'atafu Beach" -- is popular for picnics, family swimming and snorkeling. Surfers often gather here to catch their wave.

Mu'a -- Tonga's most important ancient monuments are found here. Here are the sites of early Tongan settlements. Captain James Cook set foot at "Mu'a" after sailing H.M.S. Endeavor into the sheltered waters of the inner lagoon. A plaque marks the landing place. Lapaha in Mu'u was eat of the ancient Tu'i Tonga dynasty, which was believed to have been of divine origin. The tiered burial mounds or langi of ancient royalty were faced with huge stone slabs cut from coraline limestone at nearby reefs. 28 langi are in the Lapaha area. The most impressive South Pacific tomb is undoubtedly Paepae 'o Tele'a bult more than 300 years ago for the 28th Tu'i Tonga. Thew term "Paepae" indicates that the physical body of the king was not buried here. Next to this buriel site is the "Namoala" -- a three tiered pyramid with the stone buriel vault intact on top the " Hehea" mound, which located opposite "Namola" holding still two further vaults.

Ha'amonga 'a Maui -- is an ancient trilathon at "Nuitoua" 32 km from Nuka'alofa. The name translated, "Burden of God Mau." Two upright pillars of coral support a central lintel weighing more than 8900 kilos. Thought to be the gateway to an old royal compound..., the arch now forms the entrance to recently created archeological reserve. Nearby is a large upright slab, said the be the backrest of the Tui'itatui who reigned about 1200 AD.

The real purpose of the Ha'amonga has created much speculation. It has been linked to a gateway to a royal compound or to Stonehenge in England. H.M. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, in May 1967 presented a unique explanation as to the purpose of the slabs of stone. In the months that followed the king's theory was tested. His Majesty felt the "V" notch on the top of the lintel was used as a marker in ancient lunar observations; particularly to establish the beginning of the lunar "New Year." Observations made on the shortest day aligned correctly with the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Therefore confirming the "V" notch indeed marks the position of the rising of the sun on the shortest and longest day of the year. H.M. King Taufa'ahau Tupou on 13th May 1972 declared "Ha'amonga", a National Parks protected area.

For further information contact "Tonga Visitors Bureau" listed in our intro-page. Our EMail addresses are: tonga@value.net or tvbtonga@patcom.co.to