Lifuka (Ha’apai) - General Info
COMMS ALERT: A number of communications issues in Tonga are having a serious impact on cruisers. Not only has Starlink been shut down, but the undersea fibre has been damaged and repairs are not expected until at least August 2024. Digicel currently has limited service only. See this news item for more details.
Where is Lifuka?
Lifuka is the capital of Ha’apai group of islands and is on the island of Pangai. Of the many small islands in this group, only about 15 to 20 are inhabited. Provisions are hard to come by on these islands so arrive well stocked.
A large eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha-apai underwater volcano occurred on 15 January 2022, causing a tsunami and ash fall in Tonga. The eruption was one of the biggest in Tonga in the past 30 years. In the Ha’apai Islands – Niniva Island, Atatā, Mango, Nomuka and Fonoifua were extensively damaged. See news item for details and useful links for further information.
Entrance Notes and Cautions for Lifuka:
Anchor outside the harbor at 19°48.072′ S 174°21.299′ W in 5m sand. This is a bit too close to the harbour for a comfortable stay, as the big ferry ships will pass in about 100m distance, but OK for quick access to the town.
Cruiser Highlights for Lifuka:
Humpback whales are everywhere in the Ha’apai group between August and October. Humpbacks come to the warm, shallow and protected waters in Tonga to breed and give birth.
Read the following cruiser reports for more cruising highlights.
- Tonga: Open for Cruising Post Covid (SV Rainbow Safari 2022)
- Cruising the Ha’apai Archipelago (SY Adina 2014).
Restrictions:
Ha’apai is one of the areas in Tonga which is now subject to Special Management Areas (SMAs) and Fish Habitat Reserves (FHRs).
Home Reef Volcano
On June 17, 2024, The Tonga Geological Services issued a warning for all mariners to sail no closer than 4kms from the Home Reef Volcano which is exhibiting ongoing volcanic activity.
Home Reef is located 25 km southwest of Late Island, 22 km northeast of Lateiki (Metis Shoal), and 75 km northwest of Mo’unga’one Island at Latitude & Longitude 18.992°S & 174.775°W. The nearby communities of Vava’u and Ha’apai are not considered at risk.
See the Tonga Restrictions section for full details
Position:
19°48’09″S, 174°21′11″W.
Last updated: June 2024
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Related to following destinations: Lifuka (Ha'apai), Tonga
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Posted on behalf of Tom Partridge, SY Adina
A few of us have sailed through Ha’aipai and are just stunned why so few are sailing these islands. All of us agree they are the most unspoilt beautiful islands we have seen in the Pacific.
Locals think stories of cyclones have scared people off plus sailors are nervous of reefs. If you can do the Tuamotos you can sail the Ha’apai! We want to buy one of these islands.