Friends Cafe is a popular meeting place for visitors and locals in the capital Nuku'alofa and is just a short 5-minute walk from your cruise ship. There you will find a table reserved just for you!

Enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee while you meet your awesome guide Robbie (aka Lopeti) and other travellers before heading to your comfortable, air conditioned van to explore the the beauty of Tonga coast to coast.

Thanks to our expert guides, we've arranged a brief visit to Ha'atakatolo Cemetery, where a recent influx of migrating flying foxes adds a unique touch to the serene surroundings. 

Did you know that coconut trees typically bear just a single head? This makes the remarkable anomaly you will encounter one of the rarest coconut trees on the planet. 

Nestled alongside the roadside, this resilient tree has weathered numerous cyclones over the years, standing as a testament to the enduring power of nature.

Our guide will make a brief stop near the tree, allowing you to capture a quick photo memento. Whether you're traveling solo or with companions, our guide will gladly help immortalise this unique moment, ensuring you have a cherished keepsake to remember your journey.

Prepare to step foot on the historic landing site of the famed British explorer, Captain James Cook. Discover the commemorative plaque, a testament to the former presence of a majestic Banyan tree that graced this hallowed ground back in 1777.

Notably, this iconic landmark holds a special place in history, having hosted a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1970, a poignant tribute to the island's significance as the "Friendly Islands," a title bestowed upon it by Captain Cook himself.

Engage your guide for further insights into the events that unfolded before capturing a brief yet memorable photo stop at Captain Cook's Landing.

A brief 10-minute drive from Captain Cook's Landing will lead us to the Lapaha's Paepae 'o Tele'a tombs, also known as the 'Ancient Terraced Tombs,' a testament to Tonga's rich ancient stonework heritage. Unique to the Pacific region, these remarkable monuments stand as a singular marvel found nowhere else on Earth.

Dating back over a millennium, the Terraced Tombs bear striking resemblance to the construction techniques employed in the Egyptian Pyramids, yet their intricately joined hard-coral slabs showcase an unparalleled craftsmanship that defies the use of mechanical tools.

Tentatively recognised by UNESCO as a potential World Heritage site, the Lapaha's Paepae 'o Tele'a tombs hold a place of utmost significance in Polynesian history. Unlike our previous stops, you'll have the opportunity to approach the Terraced Tombs and feel the ancient coral slabs that have withstood the test of time for centuries. 

We kindly ask our guests to respect the sanctity of this historical site and refrain from walking or sitting atop the tomb.

Prepare to be intrigued by the enigmatic Ha’aomga A’Maui, boasting three mammoth 40-ton coral limestone slabs steeped in centuries-old legend. Believed to function as a seasonal calendar, this trilithon is said to have marked the solstices and equinoxes by aligning with the position of the sunrise, akin to a Polynesian rendition of the renowned Stonehenge.

While you'll have the opportunity to approach and photograph this ancient wonder, we kindly ask our guests to respect its cultural significance and refrain from climbing atop the structure.

Facilities at this stop include restrooms and a selection of local vendors offering traditional crafts and trinkets.

Your guide will conveniently escort you back to the Friends Café, allowing for a brief 5-minute stroll back to the cruise ship.

Rest assured, we prioritise punctuality and ensure all guests are back on board one hour before the designated departure time of the cruise ship.