Dive Review of
Happy Ha'apai Divers/Sandy Beach Resort in
Tonga/Ha'apai Group

Several locations in Fiji & Indonesia; Little Cayman, Hondouras,
Bonaire.

Dive Conditions

none  

[None]  

Overall Rating

People go to Tonga to snorkel with Humpback whales. There are two main
island groups in the Kingdom of Tonga where you are likely to be able to
snorkel with the whales: Vava'u and Ha'apai. The Vava'u group has most of
the whales, and visitors are much more likley to be able to get into the
water with them. But we went to the Ha'apai group -- to the Sandy Beach
Resort on the island of Foa -- because it is reputed to have the best beach
in Tonga (our info was that the beaches in the Vava'u group were not very
good), and shelling and long walks on the beach are an important part of my
wife's focus (she is not a diver). We spent two weeks at the resort. The
dive operation is located on their property, although it is an independent
operation. The diving is not as good as I have experienced in other Pacific
locations: much fewer fish (variety and number), healthy coral, and
critters. Two locations were good (Seven Sisters and Akouty), the rest
uninteresting. One notable item for photographers is that on these two
sites the fish seemed tamer than I have seen in other locations: anthias,
fusillers, wrasse, and butterflys allowing me to get within 1-2 feet of
them and literally posing for me. The dive operation is OK, but suffers
from serious lack of communication. Several times we expected a normal 4
hour 2-dive morning on the dive boat, but instead went on an all-day
combined dive and whale watch on the catamaran. Not really complaining, but
no one bothered to tell us. Not very customer-centered, although they will
allow you to do your own diving once you demonstrate competency. 

The resort is fine, basic but comfortable cottages on the beach, good food
(but not much variety). The German owners are quite willing to help. The
beaches (there is another uninhabited small island a 10-15 minute kayak
trip away with a nice beach)are very nice, and we did get some very good
shells.

Overall, if you want to get wet with Humpback whales I recommend going to
Vava'u, then if you have time visiting Ha'apai for the beaches and
relaxation. But for jsut diving go to Fiji or other Pacific locations. 

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