Vava'u is the main island of the Vava'u Group, a cluster of about fifty islands in northern Tonga. The island is hilly and green, rising steeply from the water, and its deeply indented coastline creates one of the finest natural harbours in the South Pacific. The port town of Neiafu, perched above the harbour, is the only real settlement and serves as the base for everything in the group.
Humpback whale swimming is the main draw from July to October, when humpback whales migrate to these warm waters to breed and calve. Tonga is one of the few places in the world where swimming alongside humpbacks is legally permitted, and Neiafu is where most operators are based. Outside whale season, the sheltered waters between the islands make Vava'u one of the best sailing destinations in the Pacific — the anchorages are protected, distances are short, and you can find a deserted beach on a different island each day.
Neiafu itself is a small, friendly town with a handful of restaurants, a lively market, and waterfront cafes overlooking the harbour. The pace is unhurried even by Tongan standards. Swallows Cave and the more demanding Mariner's Cave are both reachable by boat or kayak. The 'Ene'io Botanical Garden on the eastern side of the island is worth a visit for native plants and birdwatching. Flights connect Vava'u to Tongatapu daily; the overnight ferry can be rough. See the Vava'u Group page for more on the surrounding islands.