Nuku'alofa Tonga Charges

Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-05-14 21:37:14
Countries: Tonga

Sent by Brian Heagney of Fins n Flukes dive base in Panga on Lifuka
May 6, 2009

Hi there,

We have just had the first yacht of the season arrive at Lifuka in Ha'apai.

I want to report that they were charged four hundred and eighty five Tongan dollars to clear in!!! 200 was for Health, 100 for arriving on a holiday and 70 for a crew change!

I would advise cruisers to clear in to Ha'apai or Vava'u directly, where the charges are likely to be a fraction of this - especially in Ha'apai where you may walk away scott free if you can actually manage to find the customs offical and then wake him up.

There is some talk that a New Zealand influence in Nuku'alofa is seeing charges enforced much too rigorously.