Be sure to take a walk along Port of Refuge from Paradise International Hotel into town, a stroll of about 15 minutes.
The flat-top mountain across the harbor, Mo'unga Talau, at 204m (669 ft.), is the tallest point on Vava'u and part of a Tongan national park. A hike to the top takes about 2 hours round-trip. To get there, turn inland a block past the Westpac Bank of Tonga on the airport road, and then turn left at the Old Market. This street continues through the residential area and then becomes a track, with rope handles in places. The turnoff to the summit starts as the track begins to head downhill. It's a steep climb and can be slippery in wet weather. The Tonga Visitors Bureau maintains the trail, so ask there before making this trek.
Vava'u Adventures, down by the harbor in The Moorings complex (tel. 71-493; www.vavauadventures.com) has half-day tours of the island by all terrain vehicles for T$150 (US$75/£38) or a single-seater, T$250 (US$125/£63) for a two-seat model. You will see lovely scenery of the fingerlike bays that cut into the island, visit some beautiful beaches, and take in the sweet smell of vanilla -- the principal cash crop on Vava'u -- drying in sheds or in the sun.
