Looking for info and/or video/blogs on Kingdom of Tonga sailing info.

[nolakennedys]

Thanks! Specifically anyone that has sailed Neifu, Vava'u or Hunga island lagoon. Thank you ahead!

[DtM]

Go online and get the Moorings Vava'u cruising guide (free). It tells you all you need to know to answer your enquiry and an whole lot more as well.

I think it is called Cruising notes for the Kingdom of Tonga.

Have chartered there twice.

Great place to sail. Enjoy.

[MarkJ]

Yes, I agree. That guide is best available when I was there.
Remember the paper and electronic charts of Vava'u are out by up to 800 meters so unless someone has updated the ECN charts you need Google Earth and navigate during the day. All the islands are quite high as they are vilcanic, unlike the Haapi group, so its easy

[nolakennedys]

Thanks all! I am familiar with that site and keep tabs on it. Looking for more video from the eastern side of hunga island. Thank you all!

[DtM]

Don't have any video but what are you specifically looking for?

[nolakennedys]

Hi,
Mainly current video of the eastern side of Hunga island. Would like to know if anyone has anchored there, depths of water etc. inner passages in the vava'u group.

[MarkJ]

Hunga.

[MarkJ]

Basically just wait till you get to Neafu and get the knowledge from the other cruisers. Part of the adventure of these places is you just cant know beforehand let alone watch someone else do you own adventure on Youtube...

[nolakennedys]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Basically just wait till you get to Neafu and get the knowledge from the other cruisers. Part of the adventure of these places is you just cant know beforehand let alone watch someone else do you own adventure on Youtube...

Awesome thank you! I appreciate the chart pic with depths, I have not been able to find anything like that online. Are the depth markings in meters, feet or fathoms?

[MarkJ]

Feet.
They are Moorings supplied charts.

[DtM]

The large "bay" that you enter from the east at the southern end (marked in pink) is a great spot to anchor.


We anchored in two spots near the island in the north. Not sure of the depth but it couldn't have been too deep given the length of chain.


There are more anchoring places in the main lagoon basically straight east across from the entrance or turn south after you enter the lagoon. The entry is easy if you follow the notes in the guide I mentioned above.

[DtM]

Also, listen in to the cruisers net on the radio to find out specific things that are going on in the area each day or week.


The markets in Neiafu is a good place to provision. A wide range of fruit and veg.

[nolakennedys]

Originally Posted by DtM

Also, listen in to the cruisers net on the radio to find out specific things that are going on in the area each day or week.


The markets in Neiafu is a good place to provision. A wide range of fruit and veg.

Great info, thank you both!

[DtM]

Are you chartering or taking your own boat?


Where are you based?

[nolakennedys]

Originally Posted by DtM

Are you chartering or taking your own boat?


Where are you based?

We will be taking our own boat. Will be a few years from now, have to finish work and retire first. In the meantime, we are getting ready to buy our boat and we will do some coastal sailing in the Atlantic to the Caribbean to gain experience. We will be based on the US east coast, Georgia Florida line area.