This guide has now moved to its permanent home www.sailingtonga.com with a lot more content when I can.

It has a native browser translation tool for viewing in other languages, searchable by subject.

All information is from my observations as a resident of Vava’u (since 2007) and citizen of Tonga (since 2015), it is given freely to improve tourism. I have sailed since I was 12, and attended Outward Bound Anakiwa at 21. I have about 150 days of blue water sailing, from sunbursts to yachts to Tall ships and salied from New Zealand to Tonga 13 times.

I am a qualified divemaster and have voluntereed for NZ coastguard, and in Vava’u for 10 years with VERA (SAR).

I encourage yachts to join a Cruising Association of your choice, for those unforeseen events, a sense of community, and to encourage the industry. Often I have been called blunt, this information is not to promote myself or my business, but to help you and Tonga.  

It is not a comparison and recommendation of providers (as some compendiums have done in 2023– if you wish to compare then use every provider, if you list a comment from one then talk to the other providers!).  Ask if the operators recommend others, if they don’t or won’t help that gives you an indication of the person’s character. This information is to be shared… Fair winds, following Seas. Leave only your wake and footprints in the sand, give more than you take…

I will add additional information on Ha’apai, Tongatapu, Eua, Niu when I can travel, or get information from these Islands that is pertinent.  I own a Cafe and since COVID, I have had no time or the chance to sail. If you wish to help with projects to help fellow cruisers, come in and see me.

We get very little help from the government like French Polynesia or AID to help with this type of work.  Any questions or suggestions for content are welcomed. greg@vavau.to or Greg@sailingtonga.com