We stayed at Matafonua Lodge last year (2015) for eight days, and before we left we booked to stay again this year (2016) for 10 days. The Lodge has such a relaxed atmosphere, an amazing location, fantastic food and staff, and the experiences on the water are second to none! Amazing encounters with humpback whales and their calves with passionate,... More 

If you want to come to the best place with the best knowledge, the best guides, and best protocol for swimming with the whales, then come here! Apart from that, experience simple comfortable fales, fantastic food, great snorkelling, nice beach for sunbathing, wonderful locals, and hosts, and seclusion from the rest of the rat race world. What more could you... More 

Nina and Darren, owners, are very welcoming to their isolated paradise. They had to rebuild after the tropical storm in 2014 destroyed most of the property improvements. Our stay in a family fale at the south end of the property was excellent. Be prepared for no individual bathrooms (one communal). The location offers three sides of beaches with beautiful views... More 

We travelled to Tonga to swim with the whales and ha'apai did not disappoint! We enjoyed our stay at matafouna , the have cute traditional style fales right on the beach , with shared bathroom facilities. Rooms and bathrooms basic but all we needed. The dinning /communal area had incredible ocean views and communal style dining , which was lovely... More 

We visited three different island groups in Tonga , stayed at 3 different lodges , and did three different snorkel with the whales in Tonga , hands-down the best was Matafonua lodge , food was excellent, Darren and Nina were great hosts . As for snorkeling with the whales , wow , Hilton and Amy were super professional whale guides... More 

This was our second stay at Matafonua Lodge where we relived the dream. This is a place where the pace is relaxed, the rooms traditional and cosy where you slip into sleep listening to the waves on the reef. It's my prefect idea of island life in the middle of the south pacific. And then we swam with the whales.... More 

We are a Dive Operator from New Zealand ( Dive Wellington ) We brought 2 separate groups of 10 divers to Haapai for a week each and each group did 3 days of diving with Matafonua. Our guide Hilton was excellent, helpful and knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure our experience was awesome. We didn't stay... More 

Spent a week with Nina,Darren,liv,kids,Hylton and Amy and crew. We had a fantastic exerience with 2 days swimming with whales! food was superb,lobby,Tuna,mahi mahi as well as great pizzas and more casual food etc.Surrounding waters,coral etc are pristine.....cannot speak highly enough of the place.Will be back. cheers Steve and Sam (Manly,NSW)

Awesome stay and great get togethers around the dinner table! Treated by special off menu dinners. Had a great time experiencing swimming with whales and I have been to many islands but never seen a beach so crystal clear - It was dreamlike.