TONGA VAVA'U PORT GUIDE
The Vavaโu Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga is a spectacular tropical island paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It has a year-round climate suitable for swimming, snorkelling, diving and sailing. Some islands are ringed by white sand beaches while others have tropical forests, sea-level caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs with breath-taking vistas.
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Remote and truly unspoiled, the waters around Vava'u are crystal clear with visibility exceeding 100 feet. Most of the islands are uninhabited, a few have villages, and a few have very small unique resorts with exceptional food. There is abundant sea life with over 100 species of colourful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and July-October the Humpback whales! Truly a paradise with the only Polynesian Monarchy this is a truly remarkable place to explore.
Services available from Port Officer:
c/- Cafรฉ Tropicana Fatafehi Rd (or Private Bag 34 for Postal Service) Neiafu Vavaโu Kingdom of Tonga +676 71322 tropicana@vavau.to |
Port officerโs name: Greg Just
Best way to contact: Cellphone PO contact information: Email: greg@vavau.to Twitter: @tongamazingweb Instagram: tongamazingcom Linkedin: tongamazingcom Viber: +6768812347 Phone +676 71322 (Cafรฉ Tropicana) Mobile: +676 8812347 or +676 7512347 VHF Ch: 26 Home Address: Mt Talau Citizen: NZ/UK/Tonga Divemasterย ย ย ย IT Managerย ย ย ย Analyst/IT/Fin/Proj Yachtieย ย ย ย ย ย Master Drycleaner (nz) Website: www.vavau.to/Tropicana Agentย www.tongasuperyachts.com For Sale https://cafetropicana.company.site/ |
Menuย https://cafetropicanavavau.business.site/
Tourism portals
Services available within walking distance:
Superyacht Agencies Yachthelppacific.com - David Hunt/ Hakula Lodge Super Yacht Services Tonga โ Derek Leonard/Julie Goss Tongasuperyachts.com - Cafe Tropicana Slipways Fishing slipway for smaller monohulls Pafilios slipway for multihulls The Boatyard Vavaโu - Mono and multihulls on hard storage. www.theboatyardvavau.com Water Town supply water available at Moorings/Riki Tiki by appointment please Rain water from Cafรฉ Tropicana Rain water showers at Cafรฉ Tropicana Fuel Fuel available at Moorings or fuel stations. Duty free fuel at check-out wharf Min 200litres 70972. Pacific Fuels booked 24-48 hours prior to departure. See page 5 for info โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Duty Free Alcohol Leiola Duty Free +676 70148 next to Cafe Tropicana, 24 hours prior to departure pay for order, Leiola will deliver to Customs, you show receipt to Customs at Wharf and check off items, customs will take to your yacht. โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Trades -ย ย ย ย ย Rigging/Skipper. See Mary at Cafรฉ Tropicana -ย ย ย ย ย Welding/Fabrication. Friendly Island Fabrication Ken 8437123ย friendlyislandfabrication@gmail.com -ย ย ย ย ย Vavaโu Shipwrights โ The Boatyard Vavaโu +8816854
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Local cruising NET:
โข ย ย ย ย VHF Cruisers Net VHF Channel 26 8.30am each morning except Sunday. Alternative VHF 06 https://www.facebook.com/vavaucruisersnet
VHF Cruisers Net Order of service Emergency/priority traffic Check-ins Arrivals and departures Weather Buy/sell/trade Crew available/wanted Local special events Anything else Brief adverts from local business Local Charts and Chartlets: โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Sailingbirds Guide to Vavaโu/Haโapai sold at Cafรฉ Tropicana โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย www.vavau.to/marineguide free pdf for all of Tonga. Created by Cafe Tropicana โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย NZ822 / NZ82 / NZ14605 / NZ14602/ 2691 Fiji A0 charts and laminated A3 Chartlets โ sold at Cafรฉ Tropicana โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย www.vavau.to/weather all the weather in one spot! โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย GigGuide/Calendar with summary of local regulations. The Vaaโu Blue Water Festival is late September, other local events are on the calendar. www.vavau.to/gig guide 2023.pdfย ย VHF Channels: โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 06 Backup channel for VHF Net โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 09 Beluga dive/Beluga moorings โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 11 Te Pana Island โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 13 Max Taxi โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 16 Hailing ONLY โ Mayday/Pan Pan etc. โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 26 Repeater channel โ VHF Net and used for long range communication, please be considerate, if you are talking to vessels that are close to you. Be aware this channel is monitored by Customs, Police, Governor and Tourism! โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 71 Game Fishing โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 72 Moorings/Sunsail calling โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 73 Moorings/Sunsail working โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 74 Whale watching operators โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 77 Mounu Island โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Please be considerate and discrete on all VHF channels, especially the above and move to a non-working channel as soon as practicalโฆ 08, 14, 17, 68 Common chat channels, be aware nosy people may follow you and listen inโฆ. Other useful information specific to this area: โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย SPEED limit in the harbour 5 knot โ and/or no WAKE. Be aware of wake for other yachts, swimmers, divers, fisherman turtles, whales! By order Marine and Ports Harbourmaster. โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Please consider the environment and follow MARPOL rules and go 12 nautical miles to dump septic waste. โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Please walk on the pavement/sidewalk โ NOT the road, this is a LEFT side driving country, the roads, drivers and cars are not very good. If no sidewalk walk on the right side of the road (against traffic so you can see vehicles) โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Cover and clean any open wounds, flies carry staph bacteria. Stay out of the sea, especially the first 50 metres from shore. |
Beware of Alofi a tall Tongan hawker โ flag maker/bread/ feasts etc. Rows a dinghy and rides a bike. Report any problems to the Police, or Ministry of Tourism. He does homemade flags from tshirt
material, charges for everything he does and frequently exaggerates about services he offers. Cruises through town on a bicycle to show
you his guest book from other cruisers, AVOID talking to him...
โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Special Management Areas/Fish Habitat Reserve SMA/FHR are now in place, the legislation is designed to protect the breeding areas and environment. Fees to anchor, snorkel and dive can be levied by the village whose waters are protected. Officers carry ID, give receipts etc. An old sma/fhr map is available ย https://vavau.to/Tonga_SMA-flier.pdf ย ย it is being updated soon. โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Whale watching regulations 2013 1.Unless you are in a licenced whale watching or whale swimming vessel, you are not allowed to approach any whale closer than 300m 2.ย ย ย Swimming with whales is prohibited unless you are on a licenced vessel and in the water with a certified guide. 3.ย ย ย If a whale surfaces near you, you should change the course of your vessel, in a safe manner, and move 300m from the whales at no-wake speed. 4.ย ย ย Kayaking with humpback whales is prohibited unless the kayak is launched from a licenced vessel. 5.ย ย ย No jet Skis are allowed within 2km of any whale. First time offence is a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 18 months Repeat offence is a fine of between $1000 and $10000 and/or imprisonment of upto 3 years. https://vavau.to/TongaWhaleWatchingandSwimmingRegulations2013.pdf โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Do not feed street dogs, they might bite the next person walking by with food who does not feed themโฆ.imagine if it is childโฆ Please report dog bites to the Police Non-Government Organisations/Charities/Volunteering: โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย VVMRA Vavaโu Volunteer Marine Response Association Monitors VHF 26/16 24 x 7, responds to local and EPIRB (via RCC NZ), works with Tonga police, and locals/yachts based in Vavaโu for emergency Response www.vvmra.org VHF 16/26 โVavaโu Radioโ emergency, not general enquiries Cell +8465645 Brian P O Box 43 Neiafu, Vavaโu, Kingdom of Tonga โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย VEPA Vavaโu Environmental Protection Association. An environmental NGO based in Vavaโu. Mangrove, education, turtle and other conservation. Located next to the Bookshop in the middle of town. www.vavauenvironment.org Accepting volunteers https://vavauenvironment.org/volunteer/ โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Vavaโu Public Library The first public library in Tonga and a self-funded NGO. Accepting volunteers for english story reading Saturday morning and English childrens books Membership $5 a year https://www.facebook.com/groups/225935794136987 โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย VCT/VBWS Vavaโu Community Trust. Youth NGO Trust. Employment, education. Owns Vavaโu Blue Water School (Sailing and swimming school), Accepting volunteers to repair our training vessel SY Lobo and other projects https://www.facebook.com/vavaucommunitytrust โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Host A Vet Partners with Vets to conduct Clinics/Surgeries/ Neutering, free medicines etc. See The Yacht Shop for donations etcย https://www.facebook.com/hostavet โขย ย ย ย ย ย ย Vavaโu Breast Cancer Committee. Based in Vavaโu working solely to assist Vavaโuan women with breast cancer. Transport, treatment and accommodation https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070118191741 |
Pens, paper, drawing pencils etc,Toothpaste/Tooth brushes,ย English childrens books, reading glasses. Accepted and distributed by Cafรฉ Tropicana, or we can make suggestions if you wish to drop them off yourselves. We can also suggest places to Volunteer your timeโฆ
Must See and do in VAVAโU:
- Sunday Tongan Feast
- Walk up Mt Talau National Park; magnificent views from lookout platforms
- Swallows and Mariners cave tour
- Kava circle at Fire station or any village
- Sunday church service 10am for amazing singing at Catholic Cathedral, English service at City Impact Church in Toula
- Talau Cemetery โ Palangi Cemetery
- Pouonu Park โ birth place of Vavaโu Code
- Kilikilitefua Wall (Makave) the old census system
- Catholic Cathedral
- Beaches (Eneio Private), Keitahi (Private), Talihau Beach, Ano Beach, Holeva Beach
- Toula cemetery and Veimumuni Caves
- โUtulaโaina (Holonga), โEsi โo Salota (Holonga), Hila Ki Tapana/I โo
Mataโaho (Leimatua), Tufutele Pool (Mataika), Rock Island Beach
(Holeva), Vaipua, Ngofe-Reed fields (Tuโanuku), Moโungalafa
(Tuโanuku), Longamapu. Lolo โa Halavalu (Neiafu), Fa ko Fiemโa
(Vai ko lelea) (Neiafu), Sia โo Kafoa (Taoa), โApi โo Maka (Taoa),
Loto โa afitu (Makave), Mapu โa Tonga (Makave), Nga โunoho
(Talihau), โOut Mala (Talihau), โOtualea (Haโalaufuli), To โangaโofa
(Utui) www.vavau.to or www.tongatourism.travel for other tourist information
Map of Vavaโu harbour with description:
International Clearance Berthing Note:
Pacific Fuels โ Petrol/diesel:
Duty free is available once the vessel is cleared out from the final port. It can be shared to meet minimums. Duty free is a significant saving, Fiji does not do duty free fuel. Fuel bunker is closed for trucks if a bunker boat is in the harbour.ย Appointment times are indicative only. Duty free is about 30% cheaper than the retail price at the pump (15% CT/15% Duty).
Vavaโu
Phone: 70972 NO VHF
Email: tuiaki.kauvaka@p.energy
Website: www.p.energy
Hours 9am to 4.30pmย M to F
GPS coordinates: at Wharfย 18ยฐ39'6.97"S 173ยฐ59'9.03"W
OFFICE Toula fuel Bunkerย 18ยฐ40'36.58"S 173ยฐ59'8.61"W
Vavaโu Minimum 24-48 hoursโ notice. Cash Only. Duty free 200litres Min but boats can share. Duty free generally delivered after 10am to the wharf and AFTER customs have given clearance papers. MUST be last Tongan port. Tanker refills petrol stations Monday morning and Friday afternoon.ย Nukuโalofa
Phone:ย ย 22511 22397ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย VHF Ch: None
Email: ifalemi.tauheluhelumau@p.energy
Website: www.p.energy
Tongatapu Minimum 24 hoursโ notice. Cash Only. Duty free 1000litres Min but boats can share. Duty free generally delivered after 10am to the wharf and AFTER customs have given clearance papers. MUST be last Tongan port.
Haโapai no duty free fuel
Niuatoputapu no duty free fuel
Homegas/Tongagas โ Butane:
Gas bunker is closed for refilling bottles if a Gas bunker vessel is in the harbour.
Vavaโu
Phone: 70319 VHF: NONE
Email: NONE
GPS coordinates:ย 18ยฐ40'37.44"S 173ยฐ59'8.27"W
Location: Toula fuel Bunker
Vavaโu Cafe Tropicana charges $5 a kg and a $5 surcharge โ generally next day if not weekly.
Nukuโalofa
Phone:ย ย 21390ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย VHF Ch: None
GPS coordinates:ย 21ยฐ 8'33.09"Sย ย 175ยฐ10'33.57"W
Location Maโufanga Bunker
Website: www.homegas.to
DOES not have all adaptors โ NO CAMPINGAZ fittings!!
Vavaโu Taxi from town is $5 each way. Or bring in to Cafรฉ Tropicanaย Hours 9am to 4.30pmย M to Sa
VAVA'U BOATYARD ๐น๐ด TONGA
Tongaโs Borders are open to the South Pacific Posse again!
18ยฐ 38.625'ย Sย 173ยฐ 59.7483' W
The island groups of Tonga are are some of the most beautiful in the world. But the lack of secure hurricane/cyclone storage has always meant there was that deadline, when cruisers have to leave this paradise far too soon and seek shelter in Fiji or New Zealand. The BoatYard is a brand new yacht haulage and hard stand facility in Vavaโu, the first in Tonga, and has turned Tonga into a safe year-round cruising destination!
We can offer your members a 10% discount on cyclone season storage and long time hardstand storage.
Cheers,
JOE
CONTACT The Boatyard Vava'u
+6768816854
+6768816846
info@boatyardvavau.com
27th of September 2022
All visiting yachts will need to submit an Advance Notice of Arrivals form to info@customs.gov.to at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
The island groups of Tonga are are some of the most beautiful in the world. But the lack of secure hurricane/cyclone storage has always meant there was that deadline, when cruisers have to leave this paradise far too soon and seek shelter in Fiji or New Zealand. The BoatYard is a brand new yacht haulage and hard stand facility in Vavaโu, the first in Tonga, and has turned Tonga into a safe year-round cruising destination!
GOOD NAUTICAL SAFE APPROACH VAVA'U BOAT YARD
GALLERY
LOCATION
VIDEO
OFFICIAL WEBSITE VAVA'U BOATYARD
MINERVA REEFS
A group of two submerged atolls located in the Pacific Ocean south of Fiji and Tonga. The islands are the subject of a territorial dispute between both nations, and in addition were briefly claimed by American Libertarians as the center of a micronation, the Republic of Minerva.
PICTURES FROM SV CARINTHIA
FLEET UPDATE 2022-03-08
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๐น๐ด TONGA ๐ 170
TONGA



















SEVERE WEATHER
PORTS OF ENTRY
Niuatoputapu Island
Falehau
Vavaโuย Group
Niuafoโou
Haโapaiย Group
Lifuka
Tongatapu
Nukuโalofa
ENTRY EXIT REQUIREMENTS
DOCUMENTATION | |||||||||||||||
Passport | Valid for at least _ months; requires one blank page | ||||||||||||||
Boat Documentation | Coast Guard Doc (Original) | ||||||||||||||
Insurance | |||||||||||||||
Crewlist | Required at checkin/out | ||||||||||||||
Zarpe | Required at checkin/out | ||||||||||||||
Fishing License | |||||||||||||||
Official Procedures | |||||||||||||||
Official Country Visa | |||||||||||||||
Immigration Visa | |||||||||||||||
Required Permits | |||||||||||||||
Upon Arrival Visit: | Immigration; Customs; Port Captain/Authority | ||||||||||||||
Upon Departure Visit: | Immigration; Customs; Port Captain | ||||||||||||||
Total Entry & Exit Fees: | |||||||||||||||
Notes: | |||||||||||||||
Recommended Agent: |
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Other: | |||||||||||||||
Required Vaccinations | None | ||||||||||||||
Pets | |||||||||||||||
Currency:Tongan paสปanga |
WEATHER
PILOT CHARTS TONGA CLIMATOLOGY
CHARTS
- 82 Tonga
- 605 New Zealand to Fiji and Samoa Islands
- 83500 Fiji and Tonga Islands
- 6880 Des รles Tonga aux รles des Tuamotu
- 83039 Fiji Islands, Tonga to Samoa Islands
- 6817 De la Nouvelle-Zรฉlande,ย aux Iles Fidji, Tonga et Samoa
- 8259 Nomuka Group
- 8235 Anchorages in the Friendly Islands
- 8225 Neiafu Harbour
- 8247 Hapai’i Group Northern Portion
- 8248 Haapai Group Southern Portion
- 822 Vava’u Group
- 8257 Approaches to Nuku’alofa Harbour
- 8277 Nuku’alofa Harbour
- 8259 Nomuka Group
- 8235 Anchorages in the Friendly Islands
- 403 Ha’afeva and Nomuka
- 404 Approaches to Lifuka
- 8215 Niuatoputapu Group and Niuafo’ou
- 501 Approaches to Tongatapu including ‘Eua
- 503 Nuku’alofa Harbour to Port ‘Ohonua
TONGA VAVA’U PORT GUIDE 2023 >>

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