Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) - Clearance
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Officials are reported to be friendly and efficient at their job.
See Tonga/Formalities for full clearance details.
See Tonga/Fees for details of the charges.
Nuku’alofa Port Authority listen on VHF Ch. 14. Alternatively, Nuku’alofa Radio listens to Ch 16 & 12, also 2182kHz. Authorities must be contacted for clearance instructions. See the user comments section (the speech bubble icon) for cruiser experiences in arriving here out of season.
There is a small office for small craft clearance (including yachts) on the east side of the inner harbour basin at 21°08.340′ S 175°11.059′ W.
Authorities may come to the yacht to complete clearance formalities. Alternatively, you can anchor and dinghy in and visit the officials yourself. If the office is not manned, contact the Customs Officer in Charge ph: 7751026. Read this report for a recent cruiser experience.
Boats are only cleared between 0830 and 1630 Monday to Friday. Yachts are not cleared in or out at weekends, or during lunch 12:30-13:30 (except by prior arrangement). If arriving outside normal hours, anchor with the Q flag flying at the Pangaimotu anchorage and wait until office hours. No one should leave the vessel until contact with officials has been made.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, some herbs and non-commercially packed eggs may be confiscated and destroyed.
Certain areas in the approaches to Nuku’alofa are prohibited for anchoring and these are marked on the chart.
Last updated: June 2023
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Related to following destinations: Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu), Tonga
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Thank you, Russ, for your correction. We have found this to be accurate and have now updated noonsite.
Note that the “new” island is NNW of Tongatapu not SW/SSW as stated repeatedly on this website. Seems to be a perpetuated mistake from original media reports. The lat/long is correct and the island (Hunga Ha’apai) is on the charts.
An update from Russ and Gwen 2016:
We are actually here again this season after passage from NZ and hanging right where we were two years ago and loving it. Very little has changed over the past two years since we were here last. Big Mamas Yacht Club is slowly modernizing with things like new refrigeration making for very cold cruisers ale.
Big Mamas also continues the Year End wrap up party for Cruisers. The party includes a performance by the Nuku’alofa Police Band, who are terrific, playing great tunes, great party atmosphere with dancing and carrying on well into the night. “The Party” is the last Friday of October, just as most yachts are preparing for the passage to NZ.
Clearance in and out remains the same, we had very pleasant officials again this season, just no issues at all.
The town of Nuku’alofa is also modernizing with many new buildings and shops, shopping is also modernizing. One mega project is the new domestic shipping and passenger port which yet again adds to a modernization of the waterfront. There has been an influx of offshore people with the typical influence, perhaps not all good, but such is “progress” out here.
Otherwise, we maintain our opinion that Nuku’alofa is a worthwhile stop when heading either direction.
Cheers from Pangaimotu
Russ and Gwen
Canadian Yacht A-TRAIN
Arriving out of season, Nuku’alofa radio had no idea what to do with a yacht. The ‘customs jetty’ was occupied by locals, no room anywhere. Hailed by Westly Nau (+676-861-9436), who took care of everything.
Including an alongside berth and finding the out-of-office immigration official for me. Mr. fix-it indeed. He should be listening on ch 16 later this year (as soon as he can afford a VHF)