Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) - Communications
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.
See the main Tonga Communication section for more details.
Big Mama Yacht Club (Tel: +676 7715762) is happy to collect mail or deliveries for cruisers for a small fee. E-mail in advance: pangaimotu2007@yahoo.com
Address to: Name of Yacht, Yacht in Transit, C/O Big Mama Yacht Club, GPO Box 1033, Pangaimotu, Kingdom of Tonga
Mail is slow and can take up to 4 weeks to arrive from Europe.
Post office center of town: 0830-1600 Monday to Friday.
Internet
WiFi is available in various places including cafes in town. Nuku’alofa has fibre optic cable internet and is fast.
A Digicel Prepaid SIM card costs T$6 at Ding Dong shop.
Digicell: Tel:+676 876100
www.Digicelltonga.com
TTC/Ucall: Tel: +67620001
Email: ucall.mobile@tcc.to
Clearing Packets
This must be cleared by an agent. Although duty and tax can be waived on packets for yachts. TT Diesel or Big Mama Yacht Club will clear packets for cruisers for a small fee
Last updated: June 2023
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Related to following destinations: Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu), Tonga
Port Navigation
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Thank you, Russ, for your correction. We have found this to be accurate and have now updated noonsite.
Note that the “new” island is NNW of Tongatapu not SW/SSW as stated repeatedly on this website. Seems to be a perpetuated mistake from original media reports. The lat/long is correct and the island (Hunga Ha’apai) is on the charts.
An update from Russ and Gwen 2016:
We are actually here again this season after passage from NZ and hanging right where we were two years ago and loving it. Very little has changed over the past two years since we were here last. Big Mamas Yacht Club is slowly modernizing with things like new refrigeration making for very cold cruisers ale.
Big Mamas also continues the Year End wrap up party for Cruisers. The party includes a performance by the Nuku’alofa Police Band, who are terrific, playing great tunes, great party atmosphere with dancing and carrying on well into the night. “The Party” is the last Friday of October, just as most yachts are preparing for the passage to NZ.
Clearance in and out remains the same, we had very pleasant officials again this season, just no issues at all.
The town of Nuku’alofa is also modernizing with many new buildings and shops, shopping is also modernizing. One mega project is the new domestic shipping and passenger port which yet again adds to a modernization of the waterfront. There has been an influx of offshore people with the typical influence, perhaps not all good, but such is “progress” out here.
Otherwise, we maintain our opinion that Nuku’alofa is a worthwhile stop when heading either direction.
Cheers from Pangaimotu
Russ and Gwen
Canadian Yacht A-TRAIN
Arriving out of season, Nuku’alofa radio had no idea what to do with a yacht. The ‘customs jetty’ was occupied by locals, no room anywhere. Hailed by Westly Nau (+676-861-9436), who took care of everything.
Including an alongside berth and finding the out-of-office immigration official for me. Mr. fix-it indeed. He should be listening on ch 16 later this year (as soon as he can afford a VHF)