FAQ

Please bring all your own wings & 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 and wing 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 especially if you are booked in for a whale encounter as ours may not fit or be in use. The water is quite warm but we recommend rash vests or shorties for anyone whale swimming.

We recommend bringing booties for your feet.

We have a indemnity waiver 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. Thanks so much for your understanding on this Indemnity 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 wing & kite sizes for your stay. Kites we mostly use 7-12’s. Wings 3, 4 and 5 depending on your level and size. We range from 60kg 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.

The laws keep changing but at this point in time you are allowed to bring your drone into Tonga.  So bring it along as you will get some amazing footage at our place!

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. Eg. quiche, salad, banana cake and apple. Dinners are home cooked hearty meals. We serve fresh fish about 2 times a week depending on the local catch. 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. Black 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 2 pet dogs Jenga & Tinkerbell

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 wing and 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 Lulutai flight.  Taxis are waiting out the front and are approx $10TOP.

To book your Lulutai flight please email lepani.baleinausori@lulutai-airlines.to

Flights are $240TOP each way including 5kg carryon 23kg check in luggage.

Extra charges will apply for

1. bags over 4ft $40top
2. bags over 23kg $40top
3. each kg over 23kg $6per kg

Please note that if your luggage does not arrive with you on the same flight then we may need to go and get it on another day/time. This may incur a return transfer fee.

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 ( surcharge applies). You do need to pay your bill before you leave us.

The lagoon is enclosed by a reef and we use surfboards when we are kiting.

We dont often have the best conditions for surfing with no engine.  Occasionally there may be a lefthander in the southern end of the lagoon but the weather conditions have to really line up. 

Nukualofa to Ha’apai They often change their schedule. If you would like to catch the ferry please be ready for a 8 hour journey with stops.

We operate whale encounters during whale season mid July to mid October.  You will need wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins – we have some spare gear but please bring your own for comfort. We recommend at least a 3/2mm shorty wetsuit. If you get cold bring a warmer one.

Please note the whale swims are conducted by law in groups of 4 guests plus the guide at a time. So each group of 4 will take fair turns
at swimming with the whales. This is for the safety of the participants and the whales. The days are usually 8.30am – 2.30pm. In the event of bad weather the day may be cancelled by the operator.

We are fully licensed with the Ministry of Tourism. We are a professional whale watch & swim operator who strives to swim on every trip. However, be aware that whales are wild animals and we will be observing them in their natural environment. Swimming may or may not be possible depending on the whales behaviour, their reaction to us and the weather conditions.

We are only visitors in their realm and their well being is our primary concern, always adopting a respectful approach during our encounters. If the whales show signs of being disturbed, we stop any contact and continue our search for whales that are more in tune to interacting with us. That being said, our experience with the whales combined with our careful approach usually result in exhilarating encounters that leave our guests with out of this world whale moment memories.

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 at high tide. We also have a foil board for hire if you would like to try one whilst you are here. We also do foiling behind the boat as an optional added extra.

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 $100AUD return per adult or $70AUD per child under 10yo (prices valid 2023). Please note we will check your flight times with Lulutai the day before you are due to fly.  All transfers departing Fanifo Lofa for flights will be at least 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. , If you wish to go to town taxis are $50 one way. 

If its only a 1 night transit and you want to stay near the airport to get your connecting flight we have a “kitesurf friends”deal at the Kupesi hotel. Email them kupesi.tonga.hotel@gmail.com

For stays in town 45min taxi ride away. 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 are completely off grid.  We are on solar & wind 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 100L 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. 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. 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. Accommodation bookings @ Fanifo Lofa Ltd include payments for accommodation, meal packages and transfers.

Whale Swim Bookings – Bookings are via a 3rd party and 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 from year to year. If you hold a booking and you wish for it to be transferred to another year then you may be subject to price changes.

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 is non refundable at any time and you will forfeit 100% of the invoice & deposit.

– 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, pandemics 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 or pandemics. Travel insurance including accident and cancellation is highly recommended.
TRANSFER BOOKING POLICY

– Bookings are non transferrrable in every instance unless due to Tongan border closures for the COVID pandemic in 2020

– Bookings that were confirmed for 2020 may be transferred if specified by Fanifo Lofa ltd

Bookings for 2020 that are being transferred may be subject to price changes for subsequent years.
All bookings that are being transferred due to Tongan border closures for the COVID pandemic in 2020 is at the discretion of Fanifo Lofa ltd. If you have a credit note these can be used at any future date. They do not expire. Only 1 credit note/voucher can be used per booking and they are not to be used in conjunction with any other offer/discount. All bookings are at the discretion of Fanifo Lofa ltd.