Neiafu (Vava’u) - Fuel & LPG
Fuel
You can walk to the petrol station to get petrol or diesel in cans, or you can arrange to have your boat filled alongside the quay.
Duty-free fuel can be ordered and delivered to the pier by truck, but is only available on the day of departure and for a minimum of 200 litres. This can be organised at least one day in advance through Pacific Energy or Greg at Café Tropicana, VHF Channel 26, Tel: +676 70972 or +676 70824, Monday to Friday only, ask for Tui who is the manager.
Pacific Energy, Tel: +676 70972 (200 litres minimum). Please call them in advance with the amount of fuel required. They will not deliver to the wharf when a bunkering boat is in the harbor and if a container ship or ferry is at the wharf, deliveries can be problematic. Also delivery times are an estimate only – do not get frustrated if they are late and patiently ask for updates.
Diesel and Petrol are available from various stations around the town. Diesel can often be more easily obtained by dropping jerry cans off with Moorings (VHF Channel 72) who will often fill them when the fuel truck visits them to fill up their own boats. Note however that this is a much more expensive option than getting duty-free fuel.
Last updated: August 2023
LPG (gas)
Butane is the gas available in Vava’u.
Propane bottles will be emptied for the Butane to be filled.
Propane is available from Pacific Fuels situated at the southern end of the Neiafu harbour. The BoatYard offers a once-weekly delivery and collection of propane bottles. If gas is required more urgently arrangements can be made at the office.
Bottles can be refilled at Homegas in the village of Toula (at the head of the harbour). You can reach Homegas by taxi – a return taxi trip from Neiafu is approx. TOP$8.
Tropicana Café will also collect (LPG) bottles and return them for a small fee, which can save a trip. They also have adaptors for various non POL/DIN. Camping gaz, 3/8 LH Calor, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 27mm and Jumbo Clip Ons, Companion, Primus, German, Greek, Sweedish, Acme, French Screw, W20, Butane Nut. They also offer gravity filling overnight.
Last updated: August 2023
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Related to following destinations: Neiafu (Vava'u), Tonga
Port Navigation
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Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Tonga
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
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Comms in Tonga update post-earthquakes:
Two earthquakes during August (6.9 and a 6.6) have caused no serious damage on land, although unfortunately have affected the undersea fibre cable which had just been repaired. The Boatyard Vava’u report “It has affected the local network providers, however Digicel have switched over to their backup systems so the phones are working and internet is ok, not 100% though. We still have several restaurants in town that have Starlink and offer use of their internet as well.”
Cruisers should be aware. On September 10th, 2019, the co-owner of the hideaway bar in neiafu physically attacked a customer at their establishment. During a conversation, she choked and tackled my wife. My wife now has bruises all over and is suffering neck and back pain from being tackled to the deck. We have reported the incident to the police, but thought the cruising community should know.
This was not a Tongan, but an expat who owns a business. This should not be a reflection of neiafu or the people here. The community is wonderful and this is an incident not at all to do with the people of neiafu
Brief updates from Royce Reid:
Wanted to briefly update a couple of things regarding Tonga.
The check-in in Vava’u was fast and simple. They told us how to extend our boat permit from 4 months to 12. the Customs guy also said there is a proposal under consideration to extend the cruising permit from 12 months to at least 18 months.
The immigration people were friendly and fast and told us where to go to extend our 30-day entry visas. We hauled out in Vava’u at the boatyard there and it was fast efficient and friendly.
We also got a quote for the bottom job and it was almost half price VS. New Zealand. they have also opened a chandlery there. If they don’t have it on hand they can order it tax-free from NZ and it arrives fast with fed ex ( within 7 days we were told ) or cheap by boat.
But takes three weeks. We replaced flares and brought interior paint and some nuts and bolts. Not a huge shop but it has the necessities and arranges for specifics! All in all, it was an awesome easy experience and that’s not even commenting on how amazing the cruising there is!
Royce Reid.
I had arrived Saturday (the 3rd of Nov.) at 1530 local time and managed to get cleared. I was told by the Customs agent that they stay on a stand-by basis every Saturday till 1600.
I managed to call when we were 30 miles away raising awareness of our arrival, and also contacted Vava’u Radio on VHF Ch 26 twice before arriving.
Posted on behalf of Clare Sudlow:
Vava’u Bluewater Festival
Calling all South Pacific Cruisers! – Don’t miss the 2016 Vava’u Blue Water Festival! A fun-filled week in Vava’u, Tonga from October 1st- 8th.
Enjoy the friendliest of welcomes & a week of local festivities, parades, informative talks & parties centered around a mid-week fun cruisers race day.
For full info visit: http://www.vavau.to/bluewaterfestival