Neiafu (Vava’u) - General Info
Description:
The Vava’u Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga has a year-round climate suitable for swimming, snorkelling, diving and sailing. Some islands are ringed by white sand beaches, while others have tropical forests, sea-level caves and dramatic limestone cliffs.
There are over 40 anchorages in the Vava’u group, all within 10 nms of each other. Neiafu, the main town welcomes cruisers with its mix of shoreside establishments and marine services. It is located on the southern coast of Utu Vava’u, the principal island of the Vava’u archipelago.
Vava’a is one of the areas in Tonga which is now subject to Special Management Areas (SMAs) and Fish Habitat Reserves (FHRs).
See the Tonga Restrictions section for full details
Entrance Notes or Cautions:
Make sure you avoid the end of the dock nearest to the channel as there is a fishing boat that has sunk right next to the quay and is only visible at low tide.
Be aware that Vava’u has 3 FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) on the reef south of Pangi.
Cruiser Highlights:
Neiafu has a “frontier town” feeling, with multiple Chinese shops, a small chandler, several restaurants – Kraken and Bellavista stand out. The Falaleu Deli has nice pizzas & burgers and helps with provisioning.
Remote and truly unspoiled, the waters around Vava’u are crystal clear with visibility exceeding 100ft. Many islands are uninhabited, a few have villages and a few have very small unique resorts with exceptional food.
Abundant sea life with over 100 species of colourful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins and from July to October – the migration of Humpback Whales.
In Neiafu VHF CH 26 is the cruisers’ channel with booster aerials which allow you to use this channel throughout the Vava’u group. In season a cruiser’s net operates at 0830 each morning and is very useful to find out about local services and what events are on.
Cafe Tropicana is now hosting an AIS Receiver on behalf on www.marinetraffic.com. Data can be seen on the website free.
It is possible to haul out and stay in Tonga during cyclone season at The BoatYard.
Regional Cruiser Information Centre Plus Port Office for SSCA, OCC and Island Cruising (NZ)
Greg Just
Email: [email protected]
Phone +676 71322 (Tropicana Cafe)
Mobile: +676 881 2347 or +676 7512347
VHF Channel 26
Vava’u Volunteer Maritime Response Association (VVMRA)
Boater assistance in Vava’u
Volunteers monitor VHF and assist Police/NZ RCC with local assets.
VHF 16/26 “Vava’u Radio” 24/7
Brian Meikle: Cell +676 8465645 or +676 7565645
Email: [email protected]
Website: vvmra.org
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/VVMRA
Collect used, but fit-for-service, life vests for their free loaner program available to those traveling from the main island to the outer islands of Vava’u. Funds donated go toward initiatives to educate and provide boating safety resources to the community.
Position:
18°40.4’S, 174° 01.95’W (Entrance channel)
18°39.47’S, 173° 58.98’W (Anchorage)
Last updated: August 2023
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Related to following destinations: Neiafu (Vava'u), Tonga
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Cruisers should be aware. On September 10th, 2019, the co-owner of the hideaway bar in neiafu physically attacked a customer at their establishment. During a conversation, she choked and tackled my wife. My wife now has bruises all over and is suffering neck and back pain from being tackled to the deck. We have reported the incident to the police, but thought the cruising community should know.
This was not a Tongan, but an expat who owns a business. This should not be a reflection of neiafu or the people here. The community is wonderful and this is an incident not at all to do with the people of neiafu
Brief updates from Royce Reid:
Wanted to briefly update a couple of things regarding Tonga.
The check-in in Vava’u was fast and simple. They told us how to extend our boat permit from 4 months to 12. the Customs guy also said there is a proposal under consideration to extend the cruising permit from 12 months to at least 18 months.
The immigration people were friendly and fast and told us where to go to extend our 30-day entry visas. We hauled out in Vava’u at the boatyard there and it was fast efficient and friendly.
We also got a quote for the bottom job and it was almost half price VS. New Zealand. they have also opened a chandlery there. If they don’t have it on hand they can order it tax-free from NZ and it arrives fast with fed ex ( within 7 days we were told ) or cheap by boat.
But takes three weeks. We replaced flares and brought interior paint and some nuts and bolts. Not a huge shop but it has the necessities and arranges for specifics! All in all, it was an awesome easy experience and that’s not even commenting on how amazing the cruising there is!
Royce Reid.
I had arrived Saturday (the 3rd of Nov.) at 1530 local time and managed to get cleared. I was told by the Customs agent that they stay on a stand-by basis every Saturday till 1600.
I managed to call when we were 30 miles away raising awareness of our arrival, and also contacted Vava’u Radio on VHF Ch 26 twice before arriving.
Posted on behalf of Clare Sudlow:
Vava’u Bluewater Festival
Calling all South Pacific Cruisers! – Don’t miss the 2016 Vava’u Blue Water Festival! A fun-filled week in Vava’u, Tonga from October 1st- 8th.
Enjoy the friendliest of welcomes & a week of local festivities, parades, informative talks & parties centered around a mid-week fun cruisers race day.
For full info visit: http://www.vavau.to/bluewaterfestival