Enjoy a luxury vacation at
TRADEWINDS MANDALA
in the Kingdom of Tonga

All of our yachts have limited fishing gear onboard - we usually troll a line when sailing from island to island and will often catch yellow fin, wahoo, mahi-mahi or similar ...... which might become lunch or dinner!

Vava’u is a paradise pure and perfect for those interested in diving, snorkeling and swimming. As on most Pacific islands, water activities are made all the more fun by the temperature of the water! Ranging from 23-28 Celsius (74-83F) depending on the season, diving in Vava’u is warm and comfortable and the waters are crystal clear with visibility averaging 30-45 meters. 

Weather permitting, we hope to be able to offer at least three dives from each yacht for each group of guests per week. We recommend that SCUBA divers bring their own gear for the best fit, but we do offer regulators, bcd’s, masks & snorkels and fins for your use. Please let management know your needs prior to check in. 

Vava’u is so remote and exclusive that there are no dive shops available to rent or buy gear locally. Divers must bring their certification cards and sign a waiver. Divers over the age of 60 years must present a doctor’s note clearing them to dive. All non-members will be charged a fee of USD $100 in cash per SCUBA dive. 

Guests who wish to come to Vava’u early to dive prior to their week aboard please contact Explore Vava’u at explorevavau@gmail.com for availability and booking options. 

All queries about diving and other tours (including seasonal whale watching) should be directed to Explore Vava’u at explorevavau@gmail.com

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and some moderate hiking. Also yoga classes on the beach.

While the humpback whales are in Tonga, TradeWinds guests might see above the water displays from afar, though there are no guarantees of sightings.

Abiding by very strict conservation and protection regulations, ALL whale activities must be with licensed operators, including whale watching and swimming. Interacting with whales is NOT possible during the days of your TradeWinds Experience which means all whale activities MUST be scheduled during the days before or after your TradeWinds experience.

Whale activities, at minimum, typically start at 7am, last all day, and are often booked for 3-5+ days to maximize opportunities to see whales. Our recommended operator, Explore Vava’u, has licensed, professional, and conservation-minded crew, and are very familiar with TradeWinds schedule: www.explorevavau.com / ExploreVavau@gmail.com

For back to back experiences in Tonga, Explore Vava'u can possibly schedule an excursion between your check out and check back in time. They can also share insight on accommodations to extend your stay before or after your TradeWinds Experience.

Here is a sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a TradeWinds' AQUA sailing experience in Vava'u, Tonga. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your Captain sets an alternative course. 

We meet at the deep protected bay, aptly named the Port of Refuge. This bay has long been a welcome sight for sailors and polynesian travelers alike. It’s an all-weather harbor, creating a perfectly calm and serene shelter from the grand Pacific Ocean. Check-in will open at 11.30am at the Kraken restaurant in Neiafu, and afterwards guests can visit the Coffee & Teas T-Shirt shop, explore the town, hang out at the Kraken and order a waterfront lunch and drinks - or take a hike up Mount Talau to catch the picturesque view of much of the island group. Boarding will be at 4.30pm, and shortly afterwards we will leave the dock and anchor close to the base at beautiful Port Maurelle for Captain’s Cocktails, followed by our first mouth-watering dinner aboard. Relax, it’s time to sit back and capture your first Tongan sunset.

Sunday is a day for rest and church in Tonga, so the vocal acapella singing may be heard drifting through the villages. Tongans love to sing and set the mood for our relaxing yet uplifting day, as we visit the peace and tranquility of Swallows Cave - a limestone cavern where we swim, dive and snorkel. The cave entrance opens up into 60 feet of water, with contrasting shades of blue, while the undulating roof of colorful limestone reflects the morning sunlight, creating a spectacular image to behold. There’s an underwater entry to the cave via scuba if you're the adventurous type, otherwise we’ll pull the vessel up to within yards of this renowned Tongan highlight. If that isn’t exciting enough, let's drop by Mariner’s Cave and make a “cave day” out of it. Access here is only possible by free diving down and swimming into this hidden underwater cave. Inside, watch the mist form and clear as the gentle swell pressurizes the cave into a visual spectacle and surreal experience. Should we anchor at the Blue lagoon tonight? OK, if you insist! You guessed it, it’s the beautiful mix of the blue that the South Pacific is renowned for … now we really are in paradise!

Let’s explore the islands around Vaka’eitu for a flat calm anchorage with some of the best diving and snorkeling right on your doorstep. It’s the breathtaking Coral Gardens; a plunging wall of colorful healthy plates and endless hard and soft corals dropping into the steep channels and the alluring deep blue. How about a short walk over to an expansive beach with gentle waves lapping up at us, beckoning us for a swim. On the way back, let’s admire the banyan tree. With so many choices, we may decide to anchor at Nuku tonight at the King’s Island, a beautiful sand-spit, just perfect for a swim, a stroll and sunset photos. Take a cocktail along and let’s enjoy the Kingdom’s offerings.

With over 40 islands to choose from, we’ll check the weather and choose the perfect place for a morning snorkel or beachcomb. Euakafa Island’s legend has a virgin princess buried on its flat top. Should we stretch our legs and take a hike? Or visit the tiny island of Pau with its delightful sand spit uncovering at low tide to provide a link to Taunga, with beautiful shells and delightful snorkeling. The islands are numerous and flat-water is easy to find. With nothing but open ocean to the east, we are blessed with consistent trade winds allowing maximum time under sail power. One of Tonga’s little jewels in her crown is the delightful Island of Fetoko. This 3-acre island is home to one of TradeWinds’ newest endeavors, the private eco Mandala Island Resort. We’ll anchor off the island to go explore, but it’s not your turn yet… First we’ll visit the neighboring island of Ofu where we’ll enjoy being treated to a lunch hosted by a local family, one of our two weekly. meals ashore. They have prepared for us a traditional Tongan feast with food cooked in traditional ways; wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an underground ‘umu’ pit, and of course the celebratory and customary pig on a spit. They will also share with us numerous cultural aspects and artwork, along with their hospitality and smiles. This evening we will head to Mandala for a tour around the island, and perhaps a beach bonfire and a taste of how the others who book our Terra experiences have been living. Most of the island’s “fales” are constructed with materials sourced locally and crafted to emulate the natural curves and waves of the scenery around the island. This handcrafted retreat was a passion project for a couple who sailed here and got caught by the beauty of Vava’u. They have built the island to be fully self-sufficient with a focus on blending all structures into the existing landscapes.

Waking up to the sheer serenity when anchored off Mandala is a delight. With Tonga’s position sitting just to the west of the International DateLine, we are blessed to be the first people on the planet to witness the sunrise. The most eastern island group on the planet means that time really does start here. After a delicious breakfast, let’s snorkel or dive around Ofu Island’s reef and marvel at the myriad of marine life here. Be sure to watch for turtles, nudibranchs and,if you pay very good attention, maybe even a seahorse! Now let’s sail over to Kenutu Island, the most eastern anchorage of Vava’u, and feast our eyes on all the different vivid blues we see in the surrounding waters - fantastic! We’ll take a tour to where time begins, the eastern flanks where the raw energy of the Tonga Trench is palpable. Open cliff faces and uninterrupted swells batter the coastline, forming blow holes and tidal pools before spilling into the beautiful serene bays of Kenutu, with walking tracks, sinkholes,and stunning vistas rewarding the adventurous. Tonight we once again relax into our daily routine, which must surely involve a sunset cocktail and a gaze at the night’s stars.

Let’s get our adventure on today! Should we dive and snorkel at Fingers dive site? The underwater geology is so unique, with its field of spires coming up from the sea floor like stalagmites of coral reef. While we’re here, we’ll enjoy lunch on board against the stunning backdrop of the huge variety of greenery boasted by the island’s fauna. Next, the anchorage and a snorkel at the Japanese Garden’s is calling us. A few quick tacks and a broad-reach and we’re grabbing a hook to settle into exploring, swimming and watching the sun set into the tranquil sea. Another epic day!

The snorkeling on Tonga’s eastern islands is as good as it gets, with reefs rarely visited by anyone and a sand caye that is Tonga’s twice-daily disappearing piece of real estate, and her youngest island! We’ll take a snorkel tour, swing by the sand caye and perhaps drop back to a reef pass where seasonal manta rays are often seen. You never know, there may even be some of their larger cousins around, as whales commonly frequent this area. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Vava’u with an afternoon of gentle sailing powered by the trade winds, followed by a relaxing dinner out in town. Take in the feeling of calm and allow time to slow down. Tonga has a way of releasing the stresses of our busy lives. Exchange your photos and email addresses and start planning your next TradeWinds' adventure.

After a delicious breakfast, at 9am we make our transfers back to the Port of Refuge where you can trade stories with the other adventurers and say farewell to the beautiful, welcoming Kingdom of Tonga.

The images, memories and feeling of peace will last a lifetime...

INCLUDED

• A professional Captain and First Mate/Chef aboard a TW59 catamaran
• Complimentary boat pick-up from Fangafoa Marina
• All meals served onboard
• Well stocked open bar with beer, liquor and wine
• Water sports equipment, including snorkel gear, SUP and kayak
• All taxes and cruising permits

NOT INCLUDED

• Travel to and from the embarkation point
• Scuba diving for certified divers (priced per person per dive for non-members)
• 2 meals when guests dine ashore: Midweek lunch at the Tongan feast ($35 US) and one evening meal at local restaurant
• Trip Protection Insurance, which is highly recommended
• Crew gratuities