Tonga

[shark girl]

I'm off to Tonga in July for a two week holiday. I'll be spending the first week with my boyfriend, a non-diver, sailing and swimming with the whales (fingers crossed). The second week I am travelling solo and will spend much of it diving. I'm torn between the Ha'apai island chain and Vava'u. Vava'u has more operators and from what I've been able to find out, Ha'apai is more untouched and beautiful.

I've only been able to find a little information about dive sites- most of the popular sites in Ha'apai seem to be deeper or caves. I've done 26 dives, and am halfway through my advanced PADI, so these will be beyond me. Does Ha'apai have good dives to offer someone at my level or am I better off opting for Vava'u for big fish and reef photography opportunities?

Thanks for your help!

 

[maddmike]

We had a great time sailing, diving, snorkling, and whale-watching in Vava'u last year. Dive Vava'u is great. They really know a ton about the whales and other animals, they have good equipment, their boat is the best whale-watching boat in Vava'u, and they're really nice, too.

"Coral gardens" just north of Vakaeitu is the best snorkling I've seen anywhere.

We didn't see a lot of big fish in Vava'u, but the coral is in good shape, and there's lots of interesting stuff. And swimming with the whales can't be beat.

 

[Heg]

Hi Madmike We are looking at Tonga July /August this year if we can get booked. Where did you stay? And what was the water temp? And any other useful hints and tips? Thanks so much

 

[Mike Veitch]

i second Dive Vava'u: Kingdom of Tonga - Humpback Whale Watching and Diving with Certified Divers - Vacation of a Lifetime.

 

[maddmike]

Hi Madmike We are looking at Tonga July /August this year if we can get booked. Where did you stay? And what was the water temp? And any other useful hints and tips? Thanks so much

We chartered a sailboat from the Moorings, so no hotels for us. Water temperature? My memory is fuzzy; I think it was about 75-78.

Tips & Hints? Hmmm..

* The "coral gardens" just north of Vakaeitu is the best snorkling I've done anywhere.
* It's probably good to plan more than 1 whale watching/swimming day; the animals are unpredictable. We went 2 days, and only got into the water on 1 of them.
* Mariner's cave looks scary from the outside, but it's not really that hard to get in.
* The islands in Vava'u are very varied; it was fun to visit all the different places.
* Bring some school supplies or clothes as gifts for village kids. Colored pencils and crayons were very popular.
* Have fun!