Ha'atafu Beach
Ha'atafu Beach
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
35
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Arby nz
Gisborne, New Zealand228 contributions
We spent a week at the Surf camp in August 2004. The accommodation is situated in a quiet part of the island (not that there's anywhere noisy really!!). We are not surfers but 50 smethings who like a quiet beach with good snorkelling, swimming and good food, Ha'atafu Beach provided all this and more.We were able to use the kayaks. The price was for bed, breakfast and dinner...the food was plentiful and varied.Every night there was a cmeat dish, fish dish and Vegetarian alternative puls loads of salads and pasta etc and dessert.All lovingly prepared by the family menmebers.Perfect for hungry surfers! The huts and bathroom facilities were basic, but adequate. The only problem for us was that it rained for about half our holiday. Luckily there was a TV in the main lounge area and we all congregated there to watch the olympic Games highlights, read or play cards!!
My son had been to stay (surfing) about 7 yrs ago and had also had a great time. Highly recommended, but NOT if you want luxury, actually don't go to Tonga if you want that!!
My son had been to stay (surfing) about 7 yrs ago and had also had a great time. Highly recommended, but NOT if you want luxury, actually don't go to Tonga if you want that!!
Written January 24, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
awayweekender
London246 contributions
Mar 2018
Scenic and referred to by many as the best beach on the island (featuring the presently top-rated Ha’atafu Resort and Blue Banana Resort) but don’t expect any postcard-perfect crescent of white sand and don’t expect to find luxury resorts. You can drive right up to the beach - the walk-down approach (from elevation) is attractive, sand is mostly crushed coral/seashells, so no sandy feet to wash afterwards. Beach has rocks at the high tide level and - quite normal in these parts - is just knee deep at low tide, so reef shoes advisable. Better for snorkelling than for a swim. Reef not too far out, one of the two hotels’ email addresses is @surfingtonga.com. On the drive to Ha’atafu you will encounter a charming rural setting with black domestic pigs of all shapes & sizes foraging roadside.
Written March 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kat N
5 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We took a taxi which cost us $40 for 4 of us. For those who don't like getting in the water, just do it. It is cold when you first get in but worth it once you start snorkeling. Sadly most of the coral is dead. (A chemical in sunscreen may be contributing to the destruction of the coral reefs as swimmers trying to protect their skin venture near reefs, according to new research.) We did see some beautiful coral but really had to look for it. (Poorly informed and negligent divers also harm corals by touching and standing on them. Even if a coral is not visibly harmed, human touch can make them more vulnerable to death and disease.) Please be kind to the coral!!! Don't touch!
We saw lots of fish even clown fish playing in an anenome.
Ate at Holty's Hideaway. I had the burger but my friend had something that looked much better.
Then caught a bus at the top of the road for $3 back to Nuke alofa. Fun!
We saw lots of fish even clown fish playing in an anenome.
Ate at Holty's Hideaway. I had the burger but my friend had something that looked much better.
Then caught a bus at the top of the road for $3 back to Nuke alofa. Fun!
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FreeRangeMinyip
Tongatapu7 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
This is a nice beach for snorkelling, with lots of marine life. The coral is nothing particularly special, but it's a nice shallow lagoon to be checking out the variety of fish. Tip: best at high tide, as the water becomes a little too shallow when the tide is out. Also, at the moment you can often see migrating whales beyond the reef, about 300m off the shore. Amazing!!!
Written August 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg29Whangarei
Whangarei2 contributions
Spent nearly two weeks here , while staying at the Vakaloa Resort - Vakaloa is very reasonable , helpful friendly management and staff - chef very obliging - great food - nothing was a problem! Accomodation very pleasant - clean - with hot showers and separate bathroom - views of beach .
the beach has snorkelling swimming - surfing if you're into that - I was interested in the stone formations at the northern end where history tells us that this is where stone slabs were cut and taken for the building of the imense tombs on other parts of the islands. Watched harmless 2m sea snake sunning itself on rocks. Greg Barron
the beach has snorkelling swimming - surfing if you're into that - I was interested in the stone formations at the northern end where history tells us that this is where stone slabs were cut and taken for the building of the imense tombs on other parts of the islands. Watched harmless 2m sea snake sunning itself on rocks. Greg Barron
Written June 26, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScrawnyRay
37 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This is a public beach accessible via a 5min walk from the main Hihifo road. We caught a bus there and spend 3.5 hours under a tree with frequent snorkelling forays into the water. This was at low - mid tide. These is a shallow reef system (sadly much of it is being bleached due to climate change) protected by an outer rock reef. Good quantity of fish life close to shore. There is a cafe on the walk down (we did not check it out) and there are a couple of small resort hotels who were unwilling to sell us drinks so take plenty of water and some food.
The bus driver picked us up at the end of the day.
The bus driver picked us up at the end of the day.
Written January 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GandPHart
Auckland, New Zealand16 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Ha'atafu is only about 20 odd kilometers from Nukualofa but can take around 30/40 minutes to get there - not because of the roads as they are actually pretty good for the islands, but just due to the speed limits and a lot of cars going at just 30-40km all the time -hey island time!
The beach is great, the sand deep (actually hard to walk on it's so deep) and the snorkelling safe and easy. We don't surf but there was quite a lot of guys surfing here just off the reef too so obviously popular for that. And when you are done just pop next door to the Hideaway for a great burger and a beer - awesome!
The beach is great, the sand deep (actually hard to walk on it's so deep) and the snorkelling safe and easy. We don't surf but there was quite a lot of guys surfing here just off the reef too so obviously popular for that. And when you are done just pop next door to the Hideaway for a great burger and a beer - awesome!
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Airini-22
Auckland Central, New Zealand119 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We took reef shoes but didn't really use them. Swimming is lovely especially at high tide, and the snorkelling was great. I'm not a surfer but this an option out past the reef. The water temperature is perfect - not too warm, so it's refreshing on a really hot day. I especially love that there are trees for some shelter from the sun.
Written November 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane B
Christchurch, New Zealand629 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Beautiful beach to spend time on relaxing and doing nothing! Magic sunsets and crystal clear water. Snorkelling was our favourite past time with a huge variety of fish and a great reef drop off to get to.
Written April 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paea P
Auckland Central, New Zealand1 contribution
Oct 2016 • Family
We have stayed at other resorts and hotels in Tonga and this place wins hands down for the best hospitality, food, clean rooms, and if you are fortunate like we were, you'll be treated with free whale watching!!! In our most recent trip in Oct 2016, we witnessed a pod of whales from the shore, it was an amazing experience.
Haatafu is our home away from home. Tonga is known as the Friendly Islands, you sense this as soon as you are greeted by Hola at the airport, and Moana at the resort.
Haatafu is a family friendly resort, and is also suitable for singles and couples.
One of the things I miss dearly is the hospitality and food, the staff are super friendly and the food is just impeccable! Seriously you can not leave Haatafu without having the banana pancakes with fresh fruit ...
Whether you are single, couple, family, or group, you will love this place, delicious food, great hospitality, and clean and tidy fales.
We are looking forward to our next trip back!
Haatafu is our home away from home. Tonga is known as the Friendly Islands, you sense this as soon as you are greeted by Hola at the airport, and Moana at the resort.
Haatafu is a family friendly resort, and is also suitable for singles and couples.
One of the things I miss dearly is the hospitality and food, the staff are super friendly and the food is just impeccable! Seriously you can not leave Haatafu without having the banana pancakes with fresh fruit ...
Whether you are single, couple, family, or group, you will love this place, delicious food, great hospitality, and clean and tidy fales.
We are looking forward to our next trip back!
Written October 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are arriving on a carnival cruise and would like to visit Ha’atafu beach. What is the best way to get there and back. I have had a bad experience with taxis not coming back. Also do any of the hotels offer day passes
Written May 21, 2019
Hi there
The beach looks amazing. Is there public transport from Vuna Road that goes to the beach? Or what is the best way to travel there if you dont have a rental car
Cheers
Lisa
Written August 4, 2016
There is a bus 6 days a week. Goes both ways. Get precise directions before you go. The bus will go straight along the main road and then you will need to walk a little. Times for buses are variable I suspect. Many of the tourist resorts are around here and every one was very helpful. Best to ask a local the day before
Written August 13, 2016
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