Shore Excursion: Half-Day Anahulu Cave and Cultural Tour

Your half-day tour will begin with a pickup from your accommodation on the Island of Tongatapu. From here we head to the East Coast of Tonga, the largest part of Tongatapu. Stop at Captain Cook Landing, where the great English explorer landed on the 30th of April 1777.

Your next historical stop is the Langi, the burial tomb of ancient Tongan Kings. The construction of the tombs at Lapaha are considered engineering wonders and date back to 1300BC. The ancient royal tombs (Langi) at Lapaha on Tongatapu are one of the great ceremonial sites of the Pacific. The Lapaha tombs symbolise the association between political and spiritual power that was held by royalty and high-chiefs in the Pacific.

Stop at Anahulu Cave, also known as the ‘The Underground Swimming Pool’, situated at the village of Haveluliku. This cavern processes some of the most remarkable limestone and deep freshwater pools. You will be provided with a guide and torches or candle lights to light your way around the cave. Appropriate footwear is always recommended.

The highlight of your half-day tour is a visit to the Anahulu Ancient Tonga Cultural Centre which is situated in the vicinity next to Anahulu Cave. A tour of the centre will give you an insight to the Tongan Culture. A traditional welcoming ceremony will be conducted in which you will experience and even participate in a Kava Ceremony which is followed by live demonstrations of tapa cloth making and mat weaving and other various exhibits on display at the center.

Once your half-day tour is complete you will be taken back to your hotel safely.

A beautiful beach tucked away from all the noise of city life. You will be one of the few guests on this beach. We are suggesting bringing your own snorkeling gear to enjoy this private like Beach away from home. Anahulu Beach is only 40 meters away from Anahulu Cave

Malaʻekula or the Royal Tombs is situated in central Nukuʻalofa in the Kingdom of Tonga . The Kings of Tonga and their very close relatives (wives, husbands, children) are buried there. Those who are a little farther away from the mainline (cousins, nephews, nieces, inlaws) are buried elsewhere, in other chiefly cemeteries. Kings from older times, (i.e. the Tuʻi Tonga dynasty), are mostly buried in the langi in Muʻa.

The main royal tombs are located at the Mala'ekula site, which includes the tombs of the first five kings of Tonga: King George Tupou I, King George Tupou II, Queen Salote III , King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and King George V . Each tomb is adorned with traditional Tongan designs and symbols and is surrounded by a beautifully lawn. Grounds are taboo so no entry as Gates are closed as sign as respect .

The Royal Palace, made of kauri wood and located in the heart of Nukuʻalofa, was built in 1864 for King George Tupou I. It remains the residence of the royal family. Gates are closed because grounds are Taboo as a sign of respect .

Is a Stonehenge / Trilithon located in the Eastern Region of Tongatapu in the Village of Niutoua . It was built in the 13th Century by the Tui Tonga ( Sacred King Of Tonga ) Tuitatui in the honor of his 2 children

Basically these are Maui’s Giantic Throwing Boulders / Stones close to Anahulu Cave @ Haveluliku Village

Legend says Maui was annoyed with the Ancient Moa - Giantic Chickens waking him up in the morning that he threw these huge boulders at them to keep them quiet

Basically the Eastern Side of Tonga is where all the historical sites are located