Neiafu (Vava’u) - Clearance

Pre-Arrival Procedures for Vava'u

Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA) is mandatory.  Fines for not completing this prior to your arrival will be enforced, so do not ignore this requirement.

See Tonga/Formalities for full clearance details and fees.

Fly your "Q" Flag, call Vava'u Customs on VHF Channel 26 (outside  - before you come in) or on VHF Channel 16 once inside the bay and wait for Customs, Health and Immigration officials.

Customs monitor boats arriving into the bay and you must go into Neiafu to clear in before going to anchor in a bay.  They will contact you to come in for clearance.

Arrival Procedures

Berthing Note: 

The Customs dock at Neiafu is tricky for docking, yet, coming alongside is necessary for international clearance. It is a lee shore and there are two sunken wrecks to keep clear of. 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. There is also another wreck at the other end of the dock. Only one is marked with a red buoy. It is recommended to inspect the dock first from the shore, before coming alongside.

If this is your first Tongan port, you will be instructed to tie up to the main wharf on the west side, in front of a container, lined up with your bow towards the main shore.  This area is fenced off from the rest of the wharf.

A dock hand will (should) direct you into position and assist with line-handling.  It is advisable to sling your finders horizontally to protect your vessel from the hard rubber wharf bumpers which are spaced well apart.  If the weather is bad, call Customs to confirm.

General Process

If you arrive at the weekend, it is recommended to fly your Q flag and go to the wharf on Monday by 09:00. Strictly speaking, you cannot go ashore before Monday, however, if you must report to the Police station. Call VHF Channel 26 VVMRA in an emergency (monitored 24/7). VHF Channel 26 is also monitored by Police, Customs and other Government departments.

Once you have filled out their forms - about six or seven according to recent cruiser reports - and they have sighted your documents, you will be sent back to your boat to await the Quarantine officials. Declare any food or alcohol that you have on board.

Once you have received the paperwork you will have to go a local ATM to get the $100 Pratique fee (local currency) before going back to the wharf to Immigration.  After Customs and Immigration, Biosecurity and Health officials will come on board.  If you have any rubbish, there is a small fee for disposal.

Clearance is reported to be quick and efficient - between two - three hours and once completed you will received plenty of smiles and well wishes.

• Customs are located by the main wharf, also cover Immigration.
• Vava'u marine and ports is upstairs above Customs.
• Quarantine will charge a rubbish fee (this tends to vary).
• Health clearance is $100TOP (local currency.)
• There is a fee for using the Fisheries dock which is $14TOP.

There are ATMs close by to pay for the fees in cash (Tongan dollars). All Government departments will give receipts with the Tongan Crest on the top - anything else is not an official receipt.  Officials are reported to be efficient and friendly but be sure to remove any shiny objects from view on board (fishing lures and alcohol) to reduce possible corruption.

Departure Procedures for Vava'u

When leaving for a foreign port, you will need to clear out at the pier where you arrived. Go to Immigration first, and then the Port Captain to pay harbor fees (see directions above). You then need to take your boat to the fishing pier and clear out with Customs. After Customs you are expected to leave immediately. See notes above on cautions at these docks.

Sailing Between Tonga's Islands

If clearing to move to or arriving from another island group, it is permissible to anchor and dinghy ashore to visit the relevant offices.

Day sailing within the island groups is not restricted, but a Local Movement Report (Small Craft) is required when moving between groups served by customs offices (see Documents for details).

Any harbor dues should be paid prior to visiting Customs as the receipt needs to be shown to obtain the Local Movement Report. Go to Immigration first (no fee), and then the Port Captain to pay harbor fees (10-minute walk, road opposite Bank of South Pacific heading north, fourth turn, end of tarred road, turn right, follow the road, ministry of Infrastructure on right with major road working machinery). Customs by the main wharf must then be visited to obtain the Local Movement Report provided free on showing payment of Harbour Dues.

There is no need to take your boat back to the fishing pier for a domestic check-out. On arrival at the next island group, one must contact Customs on arrival. When traveling between Nuku'alofa and Vava'u, or vice versa, one can request that the Local Movement Report includes Ha'apai if intending to stop in that island group.

Clearance Hours:

Boats are cleared between 08:30 and 16:30 Monday to Friday. They are closed for lunch, usually 12:30-13:30. Lunchtime, after-hours, and Saturday check-ins are sometimes available by special arrangement and for a fee.

If arriving after hours or at weekends and you prefer to wait until normal office opening times, boats are allowed to stay at anchor, flying the Q flag, but may not go ashore until clearance is completed. Report to the wharf at 09:00 on Monday morning. If you must go ashore before then, you are required to report to the police station.

Clearance Assistance:

The local radio net, VHF Ch. 26, 08:30, 7 days a week, will help provide useful information, run by various local marine operators.

VHF Ch. 26 is also monitored by Police, Customs and other Government departments. It is monitored 24/7 and can also be used for emergencies (call VVMRA).

Last updated: August 2025