Neiafu
From CruisersWiki
Neiafu, Tonga
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"Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom comprising 176 islands with a surface area of about 750 square kilometres scattered over 700,000 square kilometres of the South Pacific. Tonga stretches over about 800 kilometres (500 mi) in a north-south line about a third of the distance from New Zealand to Hawaii. Tonga is south of Samoa and east of Fiji.
"Neiafu is on the southern coast of Utu Vava'u, the principal island of the Vava'u archipelago in northern Tonga. With the opening of The BoatYard here in August/September 2015 - a brand new yacht haulage and hard stand facility - Tonga will now have facility for boats to haul out and stay during cyclone season.
Cafe Tropicana is now hosting an AIS Receiver on behalf on www.marinetraffic.com. Data can be seen on the website free.
Be aware that Vava'u has 3 FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices). Read this article for their positions as well as Navigational Marker postions.
In Neiafu VHF CH 26 is the cruisers' channel with booster aerials which allow you to use this channel throughout the Vava'u group. In season a cruiser's net operates at 0830 each morning.
Location: 18°41' 60 S 174°1' 60 W?"
Charts
- Chart Source
- No 822 Vava'u Group
- No 82 Tongan Group
Weather
Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
This section does not apply for many islands, remove it if this is the case for this particular. You may, however, list ismall islands adjacent to this one or list one or two of its neighbors.
For islands that have their own page list them as shown below.
- [[Island1]]
- [[Island2]]
Communication
- The local radio net, VHF Ch. 26, 08:30, 7 days a week, will help provide useful information, run by various local marine operators.
- In Neiafu VHF CH 26 is the cruisers' channel with booster aerials which allow you to use this channel throughout the Vava'u group. In season a cruiser's net operates at 0830 each morning.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Call the harbourmaster at "Neifu Marine & Ports" on VHF 26 (he also monitors VHF 16), and he will give you directions within the port.
Entrance
See Tonga When entering Tongan waters, fly the Q flag.
On entering the harbour, if this is a first entry into Tonga, yachts should call Vava'u Radio on VHF 26. You may/may not receive a reply.
Berthing
for International Clearance
Do not tie to the main ferry pier (the one perpendicular to the shore) - the ship's vertical rubber fendering makes it impossible to fender a yacht. Go alongside the fisherman's pier just before it and in busy times be prepared to let fellow sailors raft up. You may be asked for a small fee for use of the pier that belongs to the fishermen.
Berthing
Note: It is important you have your fenders high up on low tide (port side) as there is an overhanging edge which yachts with low freeboard could slide under. In strong winds blowing you onto the pier it can be difficult to get off. If you feel that docking here would be unwise, take a mooring buoy further inside the harbour and proceed directly to the officials who are usually understanding if you say it is dangerous.
Departing Neiafu for another Island Group
Day sailing within the island groups is not restricted, but a Local Movement Report (Small Craft) is required when moving between groups served by customs offices (see Documents for details).
Any harbour dues should be paid prior to visiting Customs as the receipt needs to be shown to obtain the Local Movement Report. Go to Immigration first (no fee), and then the Port Captain to pay harbour fees (10 minute walk, road opposite Westpac heading north, fourth turn, end of tarred road, turn right, follow road, ministry of Infrastructure on right with major road working machinery). Customs by the main wharf must then be visited to obtain the Local Movement Report provided free on showing payment of Harbour dues.
There is no need to take you boat back to the fishing pier for a domestic check-out. On arrival at the next island group, one must contact Customs on arrival. When travelling between Nuku'alofa and Vava'u, or vice versa, one can request that the Local Movement Report includes Ha'apai if intending to stop in that island group.
Outward International Clearance
When leaving for a foreign port, you will need to clear out at the fishing pier where you arrived. Go to Immigration first, and then the Port Captain to pay harbour fees (see directions above). You then need to take your boat to the fishing pier and clear out with Customs. After Customs you are expected to leave immediately.
Clearance Hours
Boats are cleared between 08:30 and 16:30 Monday to Friday. They are closed for lunch, usually 12:30-13:30. Lunchtime, after-hours, and Saturday check-ins are available by special arrangement and for a fee.
If arriving after hours or at weekends and you prefer to wait until normal office opening times, boats are allowed to stay at anchor, flying the Q flag, but may not go ashore until clearance is completed.
Customs - at the Wharf
- GPS coordinates: 18°39'7.04"S 173°59'4.18"W
- Tel: +676 70053 or +676 70928, VHF Ch. 26
No fees during working hours inward/outward. $130 per hour Sat/Sun OVERTIME.
Immigration - at the Wharf
- Tonga Development Bank - First Floor
- GPS coordinates: 18°39'11.99"S 173°58'56.65"W
- Tel: +676 70629 or +676 71443, VHF Ch. 26
No fees inward/outward except visa charges. $70 per hour Sat/Sun OVERTIME.
Marine and Ports - at the wharf
- Ministry of Infrastructure compound
- GPS coordinates: 18°38'57.61"S 173°58'43.86"W
- Tel: +676 70100 +676 70657
- Website
Vava’u: Lights and buoys fee $0.45 per gross tonne per month. MUST be paid prior to Immigration and customs and clearing out! Nuku’alofa: $2.45 per gross tonne per month (however, cruisers have reported being charged $4.32 per gross tonne plus 20% tax here). Ha’apai: Free
Ministry of Health - Ngu Hospital
$100 Practique plus rubbish charge, $100 per hour Sat/Sun OVERTIME.
Berthing
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Neiafu is a well protected and safe harbour - a good place to be during the cyclone season. There are a number of moorings to be rented on either side of the main wharf. If you prefer to anchor, stay well away from the moorings.
A number of different companies control the moorings in the Neiafu port:
- Beluga. VHF 9, Phone 70327
- The Moorings. VHF 72, Phone 70116
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers. EM Jones Pacific Timber and Hardware*
Repairs/Yards
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- Duty-free fuel can be ordered and delivered to the pier by truck, but is only available on the day of departure after clearing out and for a minimum of 200 litres; set this up through Customs.
- Pacific Energy, Tel: +676 70972, VHF Ch. 16/26 (200 litres minimum). Please call them in advance with the amount of fuel required.
- Diesel and Petrol available from various stations around the town. Diesel can often be more easily be obtained by dropping jerry cans off with Moorings (VHF 72) who will often fill them when the fuel truck visits them to fill up their own boats.
- Water
- Cafe Tropicana (Tel: +676 71322 or Mobile +676 7512870 or VHF 16/26) is the only supplier of filtered RAIN Water in Neaifu. 50 cents a litre, discounts and free delivery to a harbour wharf for large volumes.
- Rain water supply and showers from Café Tropicana.
- Electricity
- electricity notes
Gas Butane is the gas available in Vava'u (not Calor tanks).
Propane bottles will be emptied for the Butane to be filled.
Propane is available from Pacific Fuels situated at the southern end of the Neiafu harbour.
Bottles can be refilled at Homegas in the village of Toula (at the head of the harbour). You can reach Homegas either by taxi or by dinghy (& short walk) as they have their own wharf. A return taxi trip from Neiafu is approx. TOP$10.
Tropicana Café and Moorings are happy to collect bottles and return them to you for a small fee, which can save a trip.
Homegas Ltd Marcella's Resort , Toula Tel:70319
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
- Cafe Tropicana
- Fatafehi Road, , Neiafu, Vavau , Tonga
- Tel:+676 71322 - Mob +676 7512870 ,VHF Channel 16/26
- Licenced internet cafe with WiFi. DVD creation. Full menu, great for lunch, coffee machine, cakes, fresh bread. Laundry, hot shower, ice, charts for the Pacific, courtesy flags, book and film swap, rentals, rubbish service, filtered rain water. Owners Greg Just & Lisa Molloy are Port Officers for the OCC, NZ ICA (Island Cruising Association) and SSCA. Cafe Tropicana is now hosting an AIS Receiver on behalf on www.marinetraffic.com. Expected range is 40nm to 50nm from Neiafu. Data can be seen on the website free.
Computer repairs, patch services, antivirus, Greg is the island guru and happy to help.*
Internet/WiFi
- Cafe Tropicana, offer internet/e-mail services. PC services available at Tropicana.
- Donwload and patching
- TV 7tb Movies 6tb swap and sell $0.50 per gb
- Chrisitian sermon, music Free
Laundry
- Cafe Tropicana Laundry
- Fatafehi Road, , Neiafu, Vavau , Tonga
- Tel:+676 71322 - Mob +676 7512870 ,VHF Channel 16
- Completely separate from the restaurant in a sealed room. Operated by Cafe staff only. Delivery to the inner harbour if requested.
$3.50 TOP per kg Wash / $5 TOP for Wash and Dry (2014).
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
Cafe Tropicana (Tel:+676 71322 or Mobile +676 7512870 or VHF 16) now does a full rubbish collection service – donations for rubbish service and all proceeds go towards maintaining the tracks, park, rubbish and roads to the Mt Talau Reserve. Aluminium, steel, oil, plastic and glass bottles all taken and reused by community groups.
Alternatively green bins all around town - be considerate these are for locals so don’t overfill them.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance. afe Tropicana Fatafehi Road, , Neiafu, Vavau , Tonga Tel:+676 71322 - Mob +676 7512870 ,VHF Channel 16/26 [email protected] Licenced internet cafe with WiFi. DVD creation. Full menu, great for lunch, coffee machine, cakes, fresh bread. Laundry, hot shower, ice, charts for the Pacific, courtesy flags, book and film swap, rentals. Owners Greg Just & Lisa Molloy are Port Officers for the OCC, NZ ICA (Island Cruising Association) and SSCA. Cafe Tropicana is now hosting an AIS Receiver on behalf on www.marinetraffic.com. Expected range is 40nm to 50nm from Neiafu. Data can be seen on the website free. Computer repairs, patch services, antivirus, Greg is the island guru and happy to help.*
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Free cruising guide
- Neiafu at the Wikipedia
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:
-
{{Reference|Rod Heikel|Greek Waters Pilot|Imray|Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire (2010)|9780852889718}}
, expands to - Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire (2010), ISBN 9780852889718
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing {{MagentaText|xx}}, the following:
See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].
If you do not use the above link, please remove it.
Comments
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Names: Haiqu |