Getting To Vava’u May Seem Confusing
Getting to Vava’u, Tonga may seem complicated—but it’s actually quite straightforward.
The only route is with Fiji Airways, flying from Nadi, Fiji (NAN) to Vava’u, Tonga (VAV).
All of our tours begin and end on Saturdays, so you’ll need to arrive in Vava’u on a Saturday and depart the following Saturday.
Many guests choose to extend their adventure by spending a few extra days in beautiful Fiji on the way out—it’s the perfect way to unwind after your whale swim experience.
Email: info@HumpbackSwims.com
From USA
Flying to Vava’u, Tonga is easy with Fiji Airlines. We highly recommend flying from Nadi, Fiji (NAN) to Vava’u, Tonga (VAV) with them.
*All our tours line up with these flights.*
Option 1: LAX – NAN – VAV ( book this route with Fiji Airways. You will want to search leaving LAX two days before your trip start date, as you will cross the International Dateline.
You lose a day heading to Tonga, and gain a day when leaving back to North America.
This is the quickest and cheapest route to Vava’u from the USA.
Search LAX as your departing airport and VAV as your arrival airport
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Option 2: LAX – NAN – TBU / Overnight in TBU/ Fly Lulutai Airlines (domestic airline) to VAV
If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV
*email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
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Option 3: LAX/SFO/JFK/IAH or other Major USA airports to AKL (normally Air New Zealand)/ overnight
- After you overnight in AKL you can take a flight from AKL to NAN to VAV (this will involve another overnight in Fiji
- OR after your overnight in AKL, fly AKL to TBU, overnight in TBU, then fly to VAV with Lulutai airlines*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
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Option 4: LAX/SFO/JFK/IAH or other Major USA airports to SYD/ overnight in SYD, then fly on Qantas to TBU, overnight in TBU, then fly to VAV with Lulutai airlines
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
From Canada
Option 1: YVR – NAN – VAV ( book this route with Fiji Airways. You will want to search leaving YVR two days before your trip start date, as you will cross the International Dateline
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Option 2: Major Canadian Airport to AKL (normally Air New Zealand)/ overnight
- After you overnight in AKL you can take a flight from AKL to NAN to VAV (this will involve another overnight in Fiji
- OR after your overnight in AKL, fly AKL to TBU, overnight in TBU, then fly to VAV with Lulutai airlines*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
From europe
Option 1: You will most likely need to buy two tickets.
Ticket 1: Europe – LAX (maybe overnight in LAX)
Ticket 2: LAX – VAV or TBU via NAN (Purchase with Fiji Airways)
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
Option 2:
Ticket 1: Europe – Singapore (you may want to overnight in Singapore
Ticket 2: SIN – NAN – VAV or TBU
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
From india
Option 1: International Airport – SIN – NAN – VAV or TBU (Best booked with Fiji Airways)
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
From asia
Option 1: International Airport – SIN – NAN – VAV or TBU (Best booked with Fiji Airways)
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
From Australia
Option 1: MEL – NAN – VAV or TBU with Fiji Airways
Option 2: SYD – TBU – VAV
*If you arrive into TBU – you need to take a domestic flight from TBU to VAV email us if you need help booking domestic flights*
Recommended Routes
Fiji Air via Nadi, Fiji (OUR RECOMMENDED ROUTE) – All our tours line up with the Fiji Air flights
Vava’u, Tonga Flight Schedule
Arrival: FJ 275 From Nadi to Vava’u, leaving 8:00am, arriving 11:10am: Saturday and Wednesday
Departure: FJ 274 From Vava’u to Nadi, leaving 11:55am, arriving 1:15pm: Saturday and Wednesday
Things to note:
- The only way to get an international flight in to Vava’u is via Nadi, Fiji on Air Fiji -> Twice a week on WED and SAT (see below)
- All other international flights will take you to Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) (Also known as Tongatapu or Nukuʻalofa)
- TBU and VAV are different islands. If you fly to TBU, spend the night at a hotel, and then make their way on Lulutai to Vava’u (VAV)
- A lot of guests will have to book TWO roundtrip tickets
- When booking a domestic flight on Lulutai, you will fly from Tongatapu to Vava’u via the domestic airport. Currently there is no way to book domestic flights online. They have to be booked through our office.
- Tongatapu or Nukuʻalofa is the “mainland” of Tonga. There are two airports on this Island, Domestic & International, that are a 5 minute car ride apart.
Where is Vava’u, Tonga?
Your Tour Organizer: Nadia Aly
Our tours are managed by Destination Tonga, a tourism management company, located in Tonga, and owned by Nadia Aly. Nadia is an award winning underwater photographer who leads numerous expeditions around the world throughout the year.