Name: Matafonua Lodge
Address: Foa Road, Faleloa, Faleloa, Faleloa, Tonga
Rating: 10

24-hour reception

Smoking areas

Currency exchange

Smoke-free property

Gift shop

Garden

Terrace

Private check-in/check-out

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Family room

Rooms

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Packed Lunches

Meals

Internet access

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer services

Transfer

Spanish

German

English

Italian

French

Languages Spoken

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Free bicycle rental

Library

Hiking

Recreation

Free Parking on Premises

Parking

Water sport facilities

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Fax and copy machine

Business

Diving

Cycling

Snorkelling

Sports

Babysitting and childcare

Children's playground

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Salote Pilolevu

Matafonua Lodge

Faleloa

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

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23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

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3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

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35-beds

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37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

This was our second trip to Foa Island. The first trip was in 2019 and we stayed at the sister Resort, Sandy Beach. We loved it so much we wanted to take our family next time and decided on Matafonua as it is a little more relaxed and family friendly. 
The staff are all amazing and couldn't be more helpful if they tried. The food is fantastic and it is great to be able to be able to buy food any time you want after breakfast from 10.00am through to dinner time. The fales are basic but very clean and comfortable. The shared shower/toilet facilities are really clean and the showers lovely. They have good wifi but only in the communal dining area so be prepared for a little internet downtime at your fale. A good thing really.
Highlights: the snorkling (outside your fale door) and of course the whale trips. Over 7 days of snorkling I saw something new every time I went in the water. 
The managers, Nina and Darren, and their staff are also highlights. Nina and Darren are widely travelled and so interesting to listen to. The staff go out of their way to be accommodating and are simply delightful. The young whale trip staff come from around the world and are passionate about what they do. Peta works in the office at Sandy Beach and she is a total gem if you need help with anything also. 
Lows: no tea/coffee facilities in your room (Sandy Beach has this facility). I'm in my 60's and love a cuppa in bed before getting up. I took a good thermos, cups and Latte sachets. The kitchen girls were good enough to fill my thermos at the end of dinner each night so problem solved. Not a low then really!
Domestic Airline, Lulutai, is quirky in that it is totally unreliable. Our flight leaving Ha'apai was scheduled for 1020am. It was delayed more than 2 hours due to 'pilot fatigue' (they don't fly ovenight!?). So unlike me take the resorts recommendation to overnight in Tongatapu there and back. We did make our connection but only just and only thanks to Nina and Peta helping out communicating with airport shuttle and AirNZ for us. Seriously not worth the stress.

A snorkling holiday doesn't get better than this. I can't wait to go back.

Our stay at Matafonua was amazing. The fales were beautiful. Staff were all friendly, helpful and accommodating. We enjoyed spending our time snorkelling at the resort, relaxing, kayaking and exploring. 

The meals and drinks served at the restaurant were all amazing also. Dinner with all of the other guests and staff was nice.  

Before arriving when we initially contacted the resort the staff helped us arrange transport, accommodation and flights to and from Ha’Apai from Tongatapu. It was so great to have this help. 

Could not recommend this place more.

Amazing stay

My second visit to Foa when there are a sea of tropical choices from New Zealand.

Simplicity, beauty, choice.

Matafonua Lodge is positioned in an idyllic lagoon spot with fantastic swimming, snorkeling and other water based options.

You can have solitude, take in nature, head to a village, town, a neighboring island, they have games, puzzles, books, all day cafe/ restaurant with best food on island. You are made to feel so welcome. 

It's very safe. The sea breeze keeps you cool and there is always fresh rainwater for drinking.  Beds are so comfortable and great shower toilet block an easy walk from fales. 

For me, the key is total relaxation.  I don't require entertaining or have to do anything. But you can choose to. Tonga overall is a place to visit if you are flexible and don't have major dietary requirements.  Produce is seasonal or requires to be brought in.   

Already planning for visit 3 in 2025. 
The Rice family are incredible - absolute superhosts!   Was special to be there when new pup Mana arrived. 


Utter Paradise

Breathtakingly beautiful spot. Literally every time you turn you’re gob smacked by the scenery and the colours of the water. Darren and Nina do an amazing job of providing an affordable retreat experience with the luxury of amazing meals and a beautiful sleep. We snorkelled, experienced whales, kayaked, ate, walked, swam in crystal clear waters and made friends. The communal dining brings everyone together at the end of a sun soaked day. Travelling in Tonga has its challenges but this place is worth the effort. Not for everyone but we found exactly what we were looking for. 

Ticked all the boxes!

A wonderful remote and very special place of our world to relax and enjoy what nature has to offer. Matafonua is not for every one, it is remote, yet perfect for those who want to get away from all the crazy unnecessary choice in our lives.

Darren and Nina run a very slick but so beautifully family feel lodge. 

The fale simple, the beds super comfortable, the bathrooms always spotless, the lounge area encouraged mingling and the stellar kitchen team wowed us with delicious meals every night. Variety is not easy to come by in Tonga, ingredients limited so we can easily say Matafonua served up  the best food we had in Tonga. Thank you we loved our stay!

And the secret best thing, being in the water! wonderful snorkelling and being given the opportunity, the privilege to swim with Humpback whales, what amazing majestic creatures. Our day in and on the water with humpbacks was made such a special experience due to the Matafonua team who took us, so knowledgeable and always treated the whales with utmost respect



A truly remote and very special part of our world

I've been to hundreds of beaches around the world, and this is the best. White sands, turquoise water, it's paradise perfect. I spent three days here, which was about three weeks too short. Plenty to do from kayaking to horse riding, and I wan't even here for whale season. The owners and staff are friendly and attentive. Frosting on the cake was this was the best food in Tonga, not just Ha'apai, but all of Tonga. Manage your expectations with accommodations, it's not luxury, but who cares to be an stunning place like this. 

True Paradise

Dream holiday in a million dollar location with a dedicated crew of staff. Darren, Nina, Lily and Tim were amazing. The snorkeling was epic, loved the fale with super comfortable beds, great food. Holidays any where else will struggle to compete with this one!

Dream holiday!

We stayed for 6 days in mid Feb which was simply sublime. There were only 1-3 other guests, so the experience was especially nice. Six dives in the clearest water I have ever experienced with abundant, healthy fish populations.  Dive guide was knowledgeable and attentive, always seeking to provide an optimal experience based on winds and tides.  Staff were just awesome, a real pleasure to be around.  We will be bringing our family back for certification and freediving school at a unique, unspoiled, gorgeous, friendly setting.

SIMPLY SUBLIME

You’d be hard pressed to find a better tropical location anywhere in the world - matched only by the amazing scenery  are the fantastic hosts,  Darrin Nina and family.  The resort is reasonably basic but perfectly suited for the environment, it’s not trying to be the Hilton and in that sense I loved it so much. If you want a 5 star Honolulu  type hotel this is’t the place for you the place for you  , but it’s in a 5 star plus environment with 5 star plus delightful hosts and considering the remote location and difficultly of delivering even the simplest of foods , Motafonua far exceeds what could you reasonably expect for a remote resort nestled away in the most perfect of locations.  The food is fresh and home cooked with love.  The hosts actively participate with guests and are  present around the resort to interact with guests and give that personal level of attention you’d never get at a large hotel chain. Come to Matafonua you won’t be disappointed. 

An amazingly beautiful location with delightful hosts 

Spent xmas at Matafonua..food scrumptious .. try the daily specials accomodation clean and room & bedding better than expected with mosquito net. Hosts & their family are extremely friendly & accomodating to suit any type of holiday plans. Beachfront view is to die for & staff are delightful.

Matafonua Lodge

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General

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Meals

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Languages Spoken

Tourist services

Recreation

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Pool and beach

Business

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Kids

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