Kolovai Beach is a long stretch of sand on the western coast of Tongatapu, about 30 minutes' drive from Nuku'alofa. The beach is quieter than the more popular spots closer to the capital, with calm shallow water good for swimming and snorkelling over patches of reef. Sunsets from here are superb, looking out across open ocean toward nothing but Fiji, a thousand kilometres away.
The area around Kolovai village is famous for its colony of flying foxes. Thousands of fruit bats roost in the casuarina trees near the road, hanging in great clusters during the day and taking flight at dusk. The bats are considered sacred — by tradition they belong to the royal family, and locals do not hunt them. You can walk right up to the trees and watch them at close range, which makes for an unexpected wildlife encounter in a place better known for beaches.
The village itself is small and traditional, with a few fale-style houses and a church. There are no restaurants or shops to speak of, so bring water and food if you plan to spend the day. The road from Nuku'alofa is paved and easy to drive, and the beach sees few visitors outside of weekends.