Neiafu (Vava’u) - Communications

COMMS ALERT: Two earthquakes during August 2024 (6.9 and a 6.6) have caused no serious damage on land, although unfortunately have affected the undersea fibre cable which had just been repaired. It has affected the local network providers, however Digicel have switched over to their backup systems so the phones are working and internet is usable most of the time. Several restaurants in town have Starlink and offer use of their internet.

See more details in the main Tonga Communications section.

Mail

In Neiafu, the post office is the red building opposite the market.

If you need to mail packages or letters to Vava'u, there are 3 different courier company agents available in Neiafu - DHL, UPS and FedEx (see contact details at bottom of section). There is also TNT for NZ deliveries. Please note that it is best to order anything urgent through these courier companies as early as possible, as the time quoted for a delivery is often much longer in reality!

Address packages to:

S/Y Name, Yacht in transit, Care of: Topicana Cafe, (your name), Fatafehi Road, 34, Neiafu, Kingdom of Tonga.

Do contact Tropicana Cafe well in advance so they know to expect your parcel.

Parcels are subject to inspection from the Tonga Customs. Do address to "Yacht in Transit", but be aware that duty and tax may still apply.

Internet

Cafe Tropicana, Mango Café, Bella Vista all offer internet and email services. PC services available at Tropicana. Free Internet is generally worth the money you are paying for it.  Most free providers only give you WiFi if you buy something.  It is advisable to test that the internet works before ordering food or a beer.

VHF

Within Vava'u, most businesses including bars and restaurants have VHF radio and the majority monitor Channel 26.

Common working channels are 06, 08, 14, 17.

Please refrain from using the following channels unless you call them:

• 09 Beluga
• 10 The Ark
• 11 Te Pana
• 69 Fishing/Dive Vavau
• 71 Fishing
• 72 Moorings
• 73 Moorings working, and
• 77 Mounu

The Cruisers Net information exchange service operates each morning at 0830 Monday to Sunday. VHF Ch. 26 and 06 as backup.

VHF26 is a strong repeater channel that reaches south to the Ha’apai. Please be aware that this channel is monitored by the Ministry of Transport, Customs, Immigration so be careful what you are talking about, and please keep it short.

Phones

Tonga Telecommunications is located next to the post office in Neiafu, where there is a public telephone available 24/7. Phonecards can be purchased at various stores in town (Cafe Tropicana, TCC and several other small shops).

24/7 public phones are outside Aquarium,  Bella Vista,  Cafe Tropicana and the TCC office.

The international telephone code for Tonga is 00 676.

If you plan to buy a SIM card for a phone from another country, you will need to have the network unlocked before leaving your prior area, as they cannot do that in Vava’u – only in Tongatapu.

Digicel and TCC have low rates to USA, Canada, NZ, Australia and an increasing array of countries. Credit available at Cafe Tropicana. Pay full rate for 3 or 4 minutes and get the next 30 or 40 minutes free.

Rates are also available on landlines using TCC Landline cards from 15cents a minute to the above countries and 25 cents a minute to mobiles. 24-hour payphones at Aquarium Cafe, beside Cafe Tropicana and at the TCC Office.

Greg at Café Tropicana has a cutter to cut sim cards for Apple/Android phones.

Last updated:  February 2023