Things to Do in Neiafu

Top Things to Do in Neiafu

Things to Do in Neiafu

Traveler rating
Good for
24 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travelers are saying

  • jsm6
    Dana Point, CA2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The botanical garden was nicely laid out, beautiful, interesting and informative. But what makes this a "must see" are the stunningly beautiful beach and bay on their property, the fruit lunch, a fresh coconut with a straw, the dance and craft demonstrations, but more than these the delightful and engaging owners, Haniteli and Lucy.
    We first saw Haniteli sitting under a tree at the entrance to his garden, in a traditional simple robe, in contemplation, looking for all the world like the Buddah. We soon learned that he held a degree in agronomy from the University of Hawaii, was a former Agricultural Minister in the Kingdom, and that he was very well travelled. And he was not only smart and incisive, but humorous and sometimes can't-stop-laughing funny. (Think the Dalai Lama.) And Lucy held three masters degrees.
    We learned a lot about the culture (for example, how the first-born inherits all land, resulting in Haniteli owning the garden at eight years old.
    We were on a very long cruise and took many excursions. Most of those blend together and fade out, but this one we will remember in detail, and so will you.
    Written December 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margaret Ella S
    Auckland Central, New Zealand32 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited on foor from Neiafu township. Past residential houses, dogs, chickens and pigs friendly! Paths after leaving streets/roads a little over grown. Signage dirty and damaged as were very step concrete steps. Steps also missing from viewing platforms. View great even in cloudy drizzle.We ventured back down via a poorly marked path to the left at the top of the concrete steps. No signs to discourage or warn of danger so we ventured on via track through bush/forest down narrow rock chasm and finally came out near main entrance and sign! Quite an adventure!
    Written October 13, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Richard F
    Louisville, KY7,567 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We saw this church from the Cruise dock and decided to go for a visit. It is a very long walk and all up hill, but you will be rewarded when you arrive. Built in the Colonial times it not only has a wonderful facade the interior affords a visitor a nice place of refuge. A very peaceful setting. Supposedly built by female prisoners during the era.
    Written January 1, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • WPEVLE
    Fort Myers, FL857 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Local crafts with some jewelry. Some fruits and vegs but we can not buy them and take on the ship. Not a whole lot to do on this island but we had a nice walk. Overall a good time.
    Written January 7, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rocky R
    Alpena, MI350 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had just completed a hike up Mt Talau National Park in 90 degree weather and were in desperate need of cold refreshment. We saw some fellow travelers from our cruise ship (we were in port for the day) and they whined that the Bounty Bar (Tonga Bob's previously) was a real dive. However, our thirst overcame their description. We descended the steep steps to the bar, with an out door smoking area and a small but pleasant (to us) island bar decor on the interior. Great views overlooking the bay and most importantly maybe the coldest beer I have ever had (may be a biased view after hiking up the mountain in the heat). We recommend it!
    Written March 6, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Elizabeth W
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was incredible!! The experience of swimming with the whales was so surreal. I feel so thrilled to have such an amazing opportunity. Tongan Expeditions we’re incredibly professional. Tonga the boat captain was skilful and I felt so safe on the water. Lome our whale guide was intuitive and caring and made us feel so safe in the water with these beautiful creatures. Thank you so much!
    Written September 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • NickyM
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a trip that had been postponed since 2019/20 and was a long time in the making as a result of delays due to Covid and the eruption and Tsunami in Tonga. It was well worth the wait and was definitely a trip of a lifetime.
    Shane and Helen at the Tongan Beach Resort made sure that our stay was as enjoyable as possible. Attending to issues such as towels, proper fitting fins etc. The packed lunches on the boat were excellent!
    Annah was very attentive and ensured that we knew what was happening each day even though she was feeling under the weather. Checking our confidence levels in the water so that she could gouge the types of encounters that we could manage.
    We had a lot of swims with the whales which included mothers with calves, heat runs, adolescents, solo whales. It was a magical experience being able to get that close to these amazing creatures. We were fortunate to encounter lots of whales every day of swimming. Sasha was our guide for the majority of the time due to Annah being ill. Thank you Annah, Helen, Sasha and Shane for a bucket list experience.
    Written October 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 2010luv2travel
    Burlington, WI20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was the experience of a lifetime! We listened to a male sing for 10-15” before he swam up and away. The only caution is that you have to swim in open ocean to view the whale against currents and waves. Thankfully, we had a wonderful guide who helped me. If you are not a strong swimmer in open ocean be sure to check if the guide will help. Beluga Do bing isn’t the least expensive but they follow all regulations to protect the animals and are worth it.
    Written January 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chris E
    Walsall, UK16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went out three times in the DPD boats. Nicely sized boats for 4 - 8 people and more intimate discussions with Alistair and his teams. They have some great stories of Tonga and the whales. They will always go the extra nautical mile for you to gain the greatest views from the boats and in the water. We got the most fabulous photos of whales breaching and also while swimming with them. Unforgettable lifetime experience. We saw hump back, sperm and pilot whales. On a day when the weather was not so good for whale watching we did great reef and cave snorkeling. Also brilliant. If you want to see whales use DPD during August September and October.
    Written October 17, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cherie C
    Sydney, Australia504 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My third time, my husband's second time and my daughter's fourth time with "Whales in the Wild". I think that says it all.

    I cannot recommend Phil and his crew highly enough. If you want to have this amazing wildlife experience and encounter, then you need to go with the BEST. And that is why you have to book way in advance to make sure you get your swims with them. I could go on and on, but I have already written reviews from my previous years with them.

    So I will keep it simple. Best Company, best Skippers, best Guides, best drops in the water, hence why photographers choose to use them.

    Just do it. My only suggestion is to try and do this in September.

    Regards,
    Cherie
    Sydney, Australia
    Written October 6, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nadine B
    Auckland Central, New Zealand206 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing experience!
    Was in Vava'u on a cruise, so only had a short time, but Explore Vava'u made every second count. Got to swim with 3 whales (one was a calf), had a tasty lunch and followed by cave snorkle as additional whales weren't to be found.
    Loved every moment - thank you
    Written August 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Toeme
    Zurich, Switzerland22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We did our Open Water certification here, and it was just an excellent experience! We arrived early in the season so Cameron only had the two of us to take care of. He's the kindest, gentlest, most patient and most professional dive instructor we came across while diving in dozens of locations all over the world by now!
    Their dive equipment is first class, as are the dive sites they will bring you too.
    We would go diving and take additional courses with Dive Tonga any time!
    Written February 3, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Peige T
    Anchorage, AK1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This tour of the island made me want to stay indefinitely. I am a total tomboy and love everything nature, so you can imagine how much I enjoyed this tour. Vava'u is magnificent and driving a buggy around just made it even better. Can't wait to do it again!
    Written October 12, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jill
    Denver, CO78 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We scheduled our fourth day of whale swimming with this company. Scheduled pick up was between 8am-9am, however the cruise ship for the other two passengers was  apparently late and they arrived at 9:45am. 

    The boat is larger than the other two companies we went with and the only one that had a bathroom, if that really matters. But it does handle the swells better at speed. They can also get farther out into the ocean where it gets a little rougher (if you're prone to seasickness, please plan ahead!).

    We went straight to the place where there was a heat run as notified by previous boats and had a few swims but since the whales were running fast and getting far away, we left them. Fearing that they’d consider that successful enough and take us to a cave to ride out the rest of the day, but they got news of other boats that found a mom and calf so we hung out there for the next hour+. 

    Our trip ended after about 5 hours, two hours short of the first company we went with. It was a successful day, but still kinda bummed not to optimize the time. 

    Lunch was fine with a sandwich, a few slices of fruit and a granola bar. Of the three companies we used, this one is second place, based solely on the boat, crew, service. What we saw has nothing to do with the rating as we know they cannot control nature. 
    Written October 3, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Neiafu