Most boats anchor outside the harbor, but in strong winds, Lifuka has a secure harbor in which visiting boats are welcome to anchor without charge.
The beach to the north of the harbour is convenient for dinghy landing.
Other Islands in the Ha'apai group:
Ha'ano Island
This island is about 8 miles north of Lifuka.
Location: 19° 40′ 26.4″ S, 174° 16′ 40.8″ W.
Uoleva Island
Just 5 miles south of Pangai with a large bay and long sandy beach providing excellent shelter against prevailing trade winds.
Anchor in 9m sand at 19°50.893′ S 174°25.007′ W. Entering the bay is straight forward, mostly sand with a few bommies, but all deeper than 5 meters. The resorts are hidden in the trees, abandoned in various states of decay. If the wind shifts, tuck in behind the reef at 19°50.544′ S 174°24.506′ W, 5m sand with good holding. Better protected than the bay, but with a swell from the West and thunderstorms it can be an uncomfortable anchorage.
The owner of the Uoleva Kitesurf Resort who is also a sailor recommends tucking in at 19°51.470′ S 174°25.191′ W if there is a westerly swell.
Kelefesia
Just a day's sail from Nuku'Alofa, this very scenic, uninhabited little island nicely breaks up the sail to Ha'apai. It has stunning cliffs and lots of birds.
The anchorage is a round patch roughly 200m diameter, surrounded by coral. Inside is sandy ground at a fairly even depth around 8m, good holding. It is a little wobbly at high tide, but ok. The entrance can be a bit hairy, with reefs and rollers on both sides, and an unmarked, narrow channel.
Aim for an outside waypoint of 20°30.222S 174°44.846W. Then enter the channel from 20°30.190S 174°44.672W and head straight for 20°30.133S 174°44.434W, which was our anchorage. Depth should be more than 6.5m all the way in (mostly around 9 meters
Foa Island – Matafonua Lodge & Sandy Beach Resort
Contact Nina at the Sandy Beach Resort (vacation@sandybeachtonga.com). Nina and Darren own both Matafonua Lodge and Sandy Beach and are cruiser friendly.
Matafonua is open and the restaurant serves excellent burgers, fries, pizza and cold beers. Beautiful beach and clear water for snorkelling with Leopard sharks in the pass.
Anchor in 4m of water, sand with good holding at 19°43.267′ S 174°17.170′ W. Carefully maneuver in past the coral bommies.
Ha'afeva
A very small island which is keen to encourage visitors, villagers are very welcoming. It is located 30nm southwest of Pangai.
Location: 20° 2′ 30.12″ S, 174° 39′ 21.6″ W.
Last updated: February 2026
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