The only real town in the Vava'u Group, sitting on a ridge above the harbour on the main island. Neiafu is small — a main street of restaurants, dive shops, and tour operators, a covered market, and the harbour waterfront below — but it functions as the hub for everything in the archipelago. The town's main business is now tourism, though fishing and farming sustain the surrounding villages.
The harbour is the anchor of Neiafu's atmosphere: filled with cruising yachts from around the world, local fishing boats, and whale-watching vessels from June to October. The waterfront restaurants serve fresh fish caught the same morning and cold Ikale beer from the nearby brewery. The market on Saturdays is worth an early morning visit for fresh produce and woven crafts.