The wonderful Ha'apai Group is Tonga's best kept secret. There are 60 small islands in all, only 17 of which are inhabited and of these, only 3 offer accommodation. Easily accessible yet with virtually no tourism, these small islands with traditional fishing villages, living culture and fantastic beaches are truly enchanting. Here you can explore at will, interact with the ever so friendly locals and experience life of the old South Seas. Spend a few here and you'll doubtless be invited to a local feast or dance at the town hall. Daily flights to Lifuka, the main island in the group, take just 30-minutes from Tongatapu. The easiest way to get about is by push bike and fishing boat.
Lifuka is a flat island, barely 11 sq. km in size with the group's main village, Pangai. This charming village set mid way on the protected west coast has almost 3,000 inhabitants, a bank, post office, a few small stores, couple of restaurants, half a dozen guesthouses. It's a typical Tongan village with pigs wandering about the streets, small plantations at the back of the house and fishing boats in the lagoon. At the northern point of Lifuka Island is a causeway to adjoining Foa Island which has the groups only up-market place to stay, Sandy Beach Resort, a collection of 12 bungalows. Horse riding tours and scuba diving are one of the few arranged activities.
Sandy Beach Resort is an upmarket full service small resort in the secluded and seldom visited Ha'apai Group. Located alongside a sweeping white sand beach with all tide swimming and excellent snorkelling reefs, the resort offers 12 private bungalows. Dolphins and whales can often be seen playing in the nearby reef.
