Independent review for Matafonua Lodge in the Kingdom of Tonga

matafonua lodge tonga islands picture

Matafonua Lodge is an affordable holiday retreat on a pretty sandy point in the secluded Ha’apai Group. With just eight traditionally styled wood and thatch bungalows, all with shared bathrooms, and a good restaurant, this small resort makes an ideal beach holiday for couples and families on a budget.

Recommended For:
  • Couples & Families
  • Beautiful Beach Setting
  • Pretty Traditional Style Bungalows
Quick Facts
  • 8 Bungalows
  • Outer Island - Beachfront Location
  • Restaurant & Bar

Matafonua Lodge Information & Facts

  • Hotel Location:    Beachfront on Foa island in Ha'apai Group
  • Getting There:    35 minutes to Ha'apai Airport PLUS 10 mins by road
  • Unique Qualities:    Delightful beach, good diving, traditional island lifestyle
  • Ideal for:    Couples and Families
  • Hotel Features:    8 bungalows, shared bathroom
  • Dining:    Restaurant at hotel - one resort restaurants close by
  • Children Policy:    All ages welcome
  • Local Attractions / Tours:    Uninhabited islands, fishing villages, Tofua volcano
  • The Beach:    Good, fine white sand on one side and rocky beach on other side
  • The Ocean:    Good for swimming, sandy bottom, protected
  • Snorkelling:    Excellent off from beach
  • Other Activities:    Scuba Diving, Whale Watching

Hotel Amenities

Matafonua Lodge sits on a narrow point with two very different stretches of beach on either side, just 50 metres apart. The wild east beach upon which the bungalows face fronts a rocky making it impractical for swimming or snorkelling but is good for beachcombing amongst its rock pools. The protected west beach, accessible across a sandy road, has deep white sand with a good swimming and snorkelling lagoon and being sheltered is preferable for sunbathing.

The bungalows face the east beach benefiting from the almost constant trade winds with refreshing breezes. The four standard beach bungalows are small in size with just enough interior space for a Queen size bed which is draped in a mosquito net but with a decent size partly covered outdoor wooden deck for lounging and enjoying the sea views. Of the four family bungalows, two face the beach whilst two are on the garden side of the pathway. Theses bungalows have a similar style to the Standard Bungalows but with an extended back room with two single beds.

Room Information

All bungalows share bathrooms in a clean and spacious cement block divided into men’s and ladies sections, each with two hot water shower cubicles, two toilets and an additional hand basin. The bathroom is between 10- and 40-metres walk from the bungalows.
The four standard beach bungalows are small in size with just enough interior space for a Queen size bed which is draped in a mosquito net but with a decent size partly covered outdoor wooden deck for lounging and enjoying the sea views. All bungalows share bathrooms in a clean and spacious cement block divided into men’s and ladies sections, each with two hot water shower cubicles, two toilets and an additional hand basin. The bathroom is between 10- and 40-metres walk from the bungalows.

Of the four family bungalows, two face the beach whilst two are on the garden side of the pathway. Theses bungalows have a similar style to the Standard Bungalows but with an extended back room with two single beds. All bungalows share bathrooms in a clean and spacious cement block divided into men’s and ladies sections, each with two hot water shower cubicles, two toilets and an additional hand basin. The bathroom is between 10- and 40-metres walk from the bungalows.

Matafonua Lodge operates a cafeteria serving breakfast, an affordable light lunch menu and dinner. Ha’apai Divers, located at the adjacent Sandy Beach Resort, hires sea kayaks, snorkelling equipment, and bicycles and offers scuba diving and whale watching cruises in season.