5 Night Cruise sailing from Neiafu roundtrip aboard Island Passage.
Vava'u Tonga - Just beyond Paradise
The fact that nature has been left alone is breath-taking. Beaches and coast-lines devoid of high-rise buildings, posters or neon signs. The crystal waters and people for whom time is an abundant commodity. If you like discovering nature, fantastic onboard cuisine, taking long walks, swimming, snorkelling, fishing, meeting local people or simply lying on magnificent, deserted, white sand beaches, then this is the cruise for you.
The Vava'u Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga is a spectacular tropical island paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It has a year-round climate suitable for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sailing. Some islands are ringed by white sand beaches while others have tropical forests, sea-level caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs with breathtaking vistas.
Remote and truly unspoiled, the waters around Vava'u are crystal clear with visibility exceeding 100 feet. Most of the islands are uninhabited, a few have villages, a few have very small unique resorts with exceptional food. There is abundant sea life with over 100 species of colorful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and July-October the Humpback whales!
A Pacific paradise with the only Polynesian Monarchy.
DAY 1 MONDAY
Our cruise begins from the town of Neiafu. The harbor that the town is situated on is a fjord some five miles long. The township itself is one of the last bastions of South Pacific colonial life. Our guests will meet at the Paradise Hotel on the edge of the harbor. At 1600 hours Island Passages' crew will meet you there and transfer you to the ship by tender. After a welcome drink and time to settle in the ship makes way down the harbor heading for the first night's anchorage, Port Maurelle. Named after the Spanish navigator that discovered Vavua'u this is a beautiful protected anchorage.
DAY 2 TUESDAY
A leisurely morning, time to enjoy the first sights of this beautiful and remote area. The tenders will take you to experience the wonders of Swallow's Cave, said to rival the intense colours of Italy's Blue Grotto. Lunch will be served underway as we head for the island of Tapana. Tapana is home to the La Paella restaurant. Established twenty years ago by two Spanish yachtsmen who decided they had found "Nirvana". A visit ashore is a must, the food and the artwork is renown.
DAY 3 WEDNESDAY
Another leisurly morning and a great opportunity for the budding fishermen aboard to sample the delights of tropical fishing. The snorkling close by is sensational. Once the sun is high enough to we make our way through the Fanua Tapu Pasage towards the island of Oloua. We spend the afternoon anchored off this remote island. This is the most Easterly anchorage of the cruise. Mid afternoon we make our way back through the passage towards Taunga Island, our overnight anchorage. The southern side of this island boasts what is said to be the most beautiful beach in the Vavau'u group.
DAY 4 THURSDAY
Today we cruise to some of the atoll's situated on the outer (Southern) edge of the Group. If you have ever dreamed of being left alone on your own bit of Pacific Paradise, this is the day for it! We promise to collect you!! The day is all about you! Try your hand at catching a Giant Trevally, snorkeling over pristine coral, swimming in the bluest of water (and warmest). Mid afternoon we head to the lagoon of Nuapapu for the overnight anchorage. On our way we pass numerous picture perfect atolls as we idle towards the lagoon.
DAY 5 FRIDAY
An early start as we head to the island of Hunga. The lagoon in the centre of the island is huge, if the conditions allow, the captain will take the ship into the lagoon. Otherwise we will anchor off the entrance and take the tenders into the lagoon. At the northern end there is a very traditional and welcoming village. A visit is an experience not to be missed.
Mid afternoon we are underway passing Mariner's Cave as we head to Otea for our last night in this stunning part of the Pacific. The "Island Passage" farewell party is sure to be a big one!!
DAY 6 SATURDAY
The anchor is up early and breakfast is served on the aft deck as we make our way through the narrows into Neiafu for a 1230 arrival. Our guests are transferred to the shore and we say good bye for now.
