We will be posting the latest updates in travel restrictions into Tonga due to the virus here as they happen.  As you all know travel into Tonga is not possible right now due to the Tongan Government sealing our borders.  There are currently no cases of COVID 19 in the islands of Tonga and we applaud the Tongan government for taking these measures to protect the country.  For those of you with a confirmed booking during Tongas border closures you can now claim on your travel insurance if you wish for a refund.  If you wish to re-book your holiday we are happy to announce this is possible, depending on booking availability, for later this year.  We will stay open longer during the 2020 season to fit you all in.  Please note re-booking only applies for those bookings that will occur during the time when travel into Tonga is restricted.  For the rest of you with bookings later in the year sit tight and lets see what happens.  If Tonga manages to keep a zero COVID 19 record we anticipate to be one of the first countries that re-opens as NZ and AU introduces a soft launch of their borders re-opening.  What this will look like at the time we have no idea but sit tight and lets see what happens, you  may get a fabulous holiday yet! If you have any concerns surrounding your holiday please feel free to email us.  For those of you wanting to know about changing your Real Tonga bookings they should allow date changes within 12 months of your original booking so please get in touch with Real Tonga directly. Please stay safe everyone and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Please bring all your own kitesurfing equipment. We do have some spares to hire out but you will generally bring your own kit along as we cannot guarantee having something that will suit your needs. Please bring a range of kite sizes for your stay – we mostly use 7-12’s.  There are a couple of kayaks and SUP’s that are free to use. We also have a few mask/snorkel/fins that are free to use but please bring your own if you have them as ours may not fit or be in use. The water is quite warm but we recommend rash vests or shorties. We recommend bringing booties for your feet.

We have a indemnity and equipment hire form for everyone to read and sign and email to us before you arrive. Please do this so we can keep it on file. Sometimes we cannot print at the island and EVERYONE who is visiting us needs to fill in a form even if they dont kite 🙂 Thanks so much for your understanding on this Indemnity & Equipment form

No need to bring any bedding as this will be provided for you in your fales. Please bring your own beach towels (we provide bath towels only), toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellant, medications, headlamps/torches, rash vests, pumps, hats, reef shoes, rash vest or shorties. We have mosquito nets in the fales but if there is no wind then there will be some mosquitos around.

Please bring a range of kite sizes for your stay – we mostly use 7-12’s. We range from 55kg to 74kg. The wind is 15-25knots on average. Please check www.windfinder.com uoleva island, tonga a few days before you pack so you can determine what kite sizes to bring along. We have a small range of kites to hire if you are stuck.

Please email us and ask.  Most of the time we will be able to conduct lessons but you will need to check with us prior to your visit to make sure.  Please note beginners usually take 3 – 5 lessons to get to independent practice on the water.

We are very remote here on Uoleva island, there are no shops, no roads, no nightlife. All food we grow or buy and it mostly comes from Nuku’alofa so via the ferry once a week. We don’t have access to a lot of the niceties that are available in first world countries but don’t fret we will make your stay as comfortable as possible and our fales are some of the most comfortable and beautiful in Tonga. Please note if you are expecting a pool with a cocktail bar…this is not the place for you. Uoleva is a special unique place where people come to enjoy the tranquility that is on offer.

Please note that the law has recently changed in Tonga regarding drones. If you bring a drone into Tonga and declare it they will stop you at the airport and request you get a permit and they will confiscate your drone until the permit is acquired. There is a deposit required to be left for the drone which is approx 50% of the drone. This can take some time as they do not have the permits at the airport, only in Nukualofa. You will need to go to the Ministry of Infrastructure to get the permit. The deposit is refundable on return to Tonga, also in Nukualofa at the Ministry of Infrastructure not at the airport. For further information please phone +6768711731

Our Meals Package is compulsory @ Fanifo Lofa, there is strictly no self catering – breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfasts are fruit, toasts, cereals, tea and coffee. Lunches are a packed lunch consisting of an item, fruit and cake. Dinners are home cooked hearty meals. We serve fresh fish about 4 times a week. We can cater for some dietary requirements but you need to advise us before you arrive so we can prepare. A lot of meals have rice, breads & potatoes. Please note we have snacks available for sale usually chips and nuts. Tea is available throughout the day and coffee can be purchased outside of breakfast times.  Breakfast is 7.30am-9am, Lunches are a packed lunch and will be available after breakfast for you to take with you for the day, Dinner is at 7pm.  We all eat together around a communal table so we can chat about our day.

Please note fridge space is limited.  We are happy to store any medications.

Please note that we have 3 pet dogs – Jenga, Tinkerbell and Bear.

Of course you can! We have had children as young as 9 months staying with us.  Please note we have 1 family fale that is set back 10m from the beachfront has a king bed and 2 bunk beds. If you require a cot or highchair you will need to bring it with you. There are no babysitters so the parents are fully responsible for the kids at all times.  Usually if the kids cant be left on the beach due to the young age parents tag in and out of the water 🙂

You can kite for as long or as little as you like.  The rescue boat will be available mon to sat 9-5 but you can kite outside these hours no problem.

 When you fly into Tongatapu you will land at the international terminal.  You will then need to get a taxi to the domestic terminal to catch your domestic Real Tonga flight.  Taxis are waiting out the front and are approx $10TOP.

 The currency used in Tonga is the Tongan Panga.  You can get some TOP out at the ATM at the international airport in Tongatapu.   You may need some local currency for taxis etc.  You can pay us for our transfer fee and bar bill in any currency cash if you want OR we accept internet bank transfer OR we accept credit cards (5% surcharge). You do need to pay your bill before you leave us.

There are 3 fare options with Real Tonga as of May 1st 2019. The lowest fare includes no bagge allowance, the other 2 include 15kg checkin and 5kg carry on. The higher fare allows you to change your flight date at no cost. In ADDITION – They charge $5TOP per kilo excess over the allowed weight & they also charge sometimes for oversized long bags $40TOP & for any bags OVER 23kg they may charge the $40TOP fee too…Please email real tonga for any luggage queries you may have. www.realtonga.to

You can also book an additional seat – cargo seat which gives you an extra 80kg of luggage. Please email real tonga for details

If you are staying awhile and you would like a cheaper excess option and are happy for your excess bags/luggage to be sent on a later flight the next day or the day after you can send your excess as CARGO for $3TOP per kg. Please note there will be a transfer fee charged for Fanifo Lofa to collect your bags from the airport on those days if you decide to send your excess as cargo.

Nukualofa to Ha’apai Wednesday & Saturday departs 8am arrives at 1pm. Ha’apai to Nukualofa Monday & Thursday departs midday and arrives 5.30pm. They often change their schedule. If you would like to prebook the ferry please email [email protected]

We can arrange for your whale watching encounters and for local providers to take you out whale watching for the day. They will pick you up and drop you off to Fanifo Lofa resort. We can also arrange diving days for those interested.  Please enquire with us and we can book these on your behalf. Please note if it is low tide, when our reef is inaccessible, when you are departing or returning from a day trip you may be dropped at the point and have to walk 8min back to the resort.

You can bring your foil boards as you can use them on the leeward side of the island at any tide time or in the lagoon unless you have a short mast at high tide. We also have a foil board for hire if you would like to try one whilst you are here.

We sell alcohol in our licensed bar and outdoor eating area. By Tongan law you are not permitted to drink duty free/personal alcohol anywhere in our licensed bar or outdoor eating area. You can have duty free/personal alcohol in your rooms. Please note we sell beer, cider, spirits, wine, and other. Please feel free to contact us if you have a special drink request and we will try and get in stock for you. We will generally only stock a red and white wine, if you have a particular grape taste then please let us know and we can do our best to accommodate you.  Please note ice is limited and ice is only available for purchased drinks.

We do not include transfers, unless specified, in our all inclusive package. Transfers are $80AUD return per adult or $60AUD per child. Please note we will check your flight times with Real Tonga the day before you are due to fly.  All transfers departing Fanifo Lofa for flights will be 2 hours prior to the flight time.  Generally we do not have a check out time but please note if we have incoming guests who are arriving prior to you leaving we may ask if you can checkout so we can clean the fale.

If you are stopping over in Nuku’alofa to sight see or because of flight times there are quite a few options for accommodation. Please go to http://www.tongaholiday.com/where-to-stay/  and select Tongatapu places to stay.  If it is for a few hours or one night there is the Aloft Airport lodge right near the airport. They do pick up and drop offs to and from both airports.

Visitors from most countries may enter Tonga without a visa for a period no longer than 31 days. Travelers from some countries do require a visa. Check with your travel agent or contact the Tongan Immigration Department directly. It is also a good idea to make sure you have more than 6 months validity left on your passport or you may be denied entry.

You can wear your bathing suits/bikini’s at Uoleva Island but when in Nukualofa town you wear shorts/skirts below your knee and cover your arms.  Please understand that it will be offensive to the Tongan families to do otherwise.

We are as remote as it gets and on solar power only at the resort. Any devices can be charged using nz/aus plug sockets available in the fales. Please note we do not allow hairdryers or hair straighteners to be used at the resort. Showers are solar heated – therefore if we have no sun for awhile please be prepared to have luke warm showers.  Water is precious on our little remote island so short showers are recommended. The hot water tanks are 200L so if you use the whole tank when you have a shower the new incoming water will be cold until it heats back up again.

** Please note all special offers advertised on our website are available subject to availability and only during the following dates.
1st January – 31st March & 1st October – 31st December 2019. Other exclusions may apply please enquire at the time of booking

Fanifo Lofa will provide free of charge rain water for drinking available in the common fale. It is a good idea to bring a solid water/sports drinking bottle. Please remember we are on rain water so conserve 🙂 There is a jug available in your fales that you can refill at the common fale.

Sunday is by law a day of rest for the Tongans. There are no flights or shops open on Sunday. You can still kite on Sundays but we do not operate the rescue boat on a sunday.

Wireless internet is NOT included in your package but should be available for a small fee. Please note being so remote sometimes this will not be available. The costs are $3AUD for 100Mb or we can do a half price special on 1 gig $20AUD. We are lucky to have internet at all and it is expensive for us to buy. We are not making a profit on the internet simply trying to cover our costs.

There are local hospitals in Tonga but you should bring all your medication with you and recommend that you take out travel insurance in the case of an emergency. With regards to the mosquito’s all our beds have mosquito netting but please bring repellant.

Please note that we strongly recommend travel insurance when travelling to Tonga. Fanifo Lofa do not cover for nights missed etc due to flight disruptions.

Accommodation Bookings – Bookings are confirmed with a 20% non-refundable deposit and the balance is due and non-refundable 90-days prior to tour date. Your accommodation dates will be confirmed once you pay a deposit for your accommodation.

Whale Swim Bookings – Bookings are confirmed with a 50% non-refundable deposit and the balance is due and non-refundable 90 days prior to tour date.

Group Accommodation Bookings – Groups may be subject to special terms and conditions, specified at the time of booking.

POLICIES

– We accept bookings for usually a minimum of 7 nights. Fewer nights may be approved by request.

– Check in and checkout times will vary.

– Guests should notify us of any and all food allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking.

– Guests should notify us of their flight and/or alternate accommodation itineraries once booked

– Prices are subject to change until the booking is confirmed by receipted deposit payment.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT POLICIES

– A non-refundable and non-transferable 20% deposit of the accommodation is due to confirm the booking.

– Deposits can be paid to our bank account, Visa or MasterCard in TOP (5% fee) and International Bank Wire Transfer.  Please note that Guests must cover all fees associated with transfer.

– Accommodation & Whale Swim balance is payable and non-refundable 90- days prior to check in.

– Timely payments are the Guest’s responsibility. Reservations not adhering to policy will be canceled without notice or refund.

– Any incidental charges incurred during Guest’s stay can be paid by bank transfer, cash any currency and credit card (5% fee)

– By confirming Terms, you agree to hold harmless and waive all claims of liability to Fanifo Lofa Ltd and all of the shareholders, employees and associates.

– By paying your deposit and confirming your booking, you are confirming all Terms.

CANCELLATION POLICY

– Accommodation cancellations more than 91 days prior to check in forfeit the 20% deposit

– Accommodation cancellations 90 or fewer days of check in and no-shows forfeit 100% of the invoice.

– Whale Swim deposits and full payments are non refundable at any time.

– Cancellation policy applies to situations beyond your/our control, including but not limited to ill health, inclement weather, airline strikes, flight cancellations/delays, etc.

– Groups are subject to special terms and conditions, specified at the time of booking.

– All cancellations must be notified in writing by email.

– By confirming Terms, you agree to hold harmless and waive all claims of liability to Fanifo Lofa Ltd and all of it’s shareholders, employees and associates.

– By paying your deposit and confirming your booking, you are confirming all Terms.

– Fanifo Lofa Ltd is not responsible for any changed travel plans, scheduled flight, ferry or any third party transportation cancellations. Travel accident and cancellation insurance is highly recommended.