We exited the Panama Canal on March 10th, 2016 and we arrived in Australia in December of 2017. That’s 21 MONTHS sailing the South Pacific! Cruising the South Pacific is amazing. When we look at the 24 countries we’ve visited on Starry Horizons, the island nations in the South Pacific clearly dominate our favorites. We’ve…
We’ve been full-time traveling around the world since October 2014. Tonga was our 21st country/territory to visit on our boat, Starry Horizons, and it’s definitely on my Top 5 list – because of the Ha’apai group. About the Ha’apai Group Tonga is divided up into five island groups. The capital of Tonga is Nuku’alofa, located…
When we decided to spend this extra year in the South Pacific, we wanted to find quiet places similar to the Tuamotus group of French Polynesia, where we were for two weeks in 2016. Two of the main island groups we missed that are less-traveled are the Ha’apai group of Tonga and the Lau group…
Tonga is one of our favorite cruising grounds in the world! It’s underdeveloped compared to many other places we’ve been to. Its people are friendly, and it holds onto its culture. Plus, Tonga is where humpback whales come to give birth and raise their young every year. Tonga Sailing Itineraries You should spend at least…
We spent our first 6 days in Tonga acclimating ourselves back to boat life, cleaning the bottom, and starting the myriad of small projects we brought the parts for. When we sailed from New Zealand to Tonga, we discovered a few issues that would require us to haul out in Tonga. Thankfully, there’s one boatyard…
While attempting to fly from Vava’u, Tonga to the west coast of the US, we encountered some travel fails, giving us a 30-hour layover in Tongatapu. Thankfully we could make the best of it – stay in a hotel and attend the Oholei Beach Resort Dinner & Show. Where to Stay The closest hotel to…
Geography lesson: Tonga is made up of four main island groups. The southern island group and big island are both called Tongatapu, with the capital named Nuku’alofa. The biggest cruising port is in the Vava’u island group, on Ê»Utu VavaÊ»u island, the town of Neiafu. Traveling full time is wonderful for the most part, but it can be…
On our must-do list for Tonga was a whale snorkel experience. Humpback whales come to the South Pacific every August and September, with young calves in tow. Here in Vava’u, it’s common to see whales while out on the water. Our experience with humpback whales in Tonga is one of the best things we have…