Pacific Rally, Long-Term Gain: Why Tonga Must Fix Neiafu’s Wharf Now
As Tonga prepares to welcome over 70 international yachts this May as part of the 2025 Island Cruising Pacific Rally, the potential for economic and cultural opportunity is clear. But so too are the cracks—literally—in our maritime infrastructure.
An open letter from Viki Moore, Director of the Island Cruising Pacific Rally, has raised urgent concerns about the condition of the dock in Neiafu, Vava‘u. She writes:
“The dock in Neiafu is in very poor condition and is a major hazard for yachts to tie up to, and it is very unsafe for people to get on and off their vessels to clear customs… Some skippers are now planning on skipping Tonga altogether as they have been reading reviews on NoForeignland which are damaging Tonga’s yachting reputation.”
Photos and reviews describe a scene that is not just inconvenient, but dangerous: broken concrete, protruding metal bars, sharp oyster growths, a lack of ladders for mobility-impaired sailors, and a hazardous wreck and sandbar nearby. The dock—a visitor’s first and last impression of Tonga—has become a deterrent.
A Clear Choice: Repair or Recede
Let us be clear: Tonga cannot afford to lose this opportunity. The yachts coming through the Pacific Rally are not just passing vessels—they are floating investments, each carrying high-value travellers who spend money locally on everything from fresh produce to marine repairs, from market souvenirs to tour guides.
Yacht tourism is among the most sustainable and least extractive forms of tourism available to us. Unlike cruise ships, these visitors arrive in small numbers, are culturally curious, environmentally aware, and often stay longer, integrating into local economies. Tonga, with its stunning anchorages, warm people, and rich seafaring tradition, should be a jewel in the crown of Pacific cruising.
But the message from the sailing community is clear: if we don’t fix the dock, they’ll skip Tonga altogether.
Simple Fixes, Long-Term Payoff
Ms. Moore does not ask for major construction. Her suggestions are simple and low-cost:
- Installing tyres along the dock for fender protection.
- Removing protruding metal hazards.
- Adding ladders for safer access.
- Removing the nearby shipwreck and dredging the sandbank to improve navigation.
These are modest improvements with massive returns. They not only make Tonga more attractive for future rallies, but also elevate our reputation on global sailing platforms such as NoForeignland, which skippers use to plan routes.
Investing in Our Pacific Identity
Beyond the economics, this is about protecting Tonga’s maritime legacy. We are a proud seafaring nation. The voyagers of the past once navigated these same waters by starlight. Welcoming international yachts is a natural extension of that history—a way to honour our roots while embracing modern exchange.
The Island Cruising Rally brings more than just sailors—it brings a stage. A chance to promote our culture, our conservation efforts, and our capacity for hospitality. But the stage must be safe, presentable, and worthy of the story we wish to tell.
If this urgent call doesn’t compel the ministry to act, one has to ask—what will? The 2025 National Summit exposed exactly these kinds of failures: opportunities squandered through negligence, complacency, or the dangerous assumption that our natural beauty alone is enough. It’s not. The deteriorating state of Neiafu’s dock is not just an eyesore—it’s a liability, a symbol of disregard, and a direct threat to Tonga’s economic future. We are not just losing yachts—we are losing credibility. This is no longer a request. It is a warning. Act now, or be remembered as the ones who looked the other way while opportunity sailed past.
