Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) - Provisions & Laundry
There are a few supermarkets with a reasonable selection selling mostly imported goods and an excellent daily fresh produce market.
Note: Most dry/canned goods come from Nuku’alofa, so if you check in at Nuku’alofa first, stock up here as the variety and price will be better than at Vava’u or Ha’apai.
Molisi City Centralis, opposite the old market, has a good selection. Sii Kae Ola half a mile outside of town is a good supermarket towards the airport. Across form Sii Kae Ola is JM Store that have cuts of meat.
Kool Fresh in the Small Industrial Centre out of the way near Faua Harbour sells frozen foods. Also there, try Ozy Meats for good quality frozen meats.
Fresh fish can be bought directly from the fishermen in Faua Harbour or at the fish market on the waterfront close to the royal palace.
Alcohol – Lion Liquor in Davina House right at the top of the harbour.Tel: +67622460 or Leiola Tel: +676 27945 ([email protected]) in town.
Leiola have Duty Free – but no wine.
Note that duty-free alcohol can be bought in town at the duty free store, with a passport, after you have cleared customs on departure only.
Big Mama Yacht Club also provides a laundry service for cruisers anchored at Pangaimotu Island.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at [email protected]. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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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)