Relaxing places in Australia and Pacific

A 15 minutes boat ride from Nuku'alofa will bring you to this little beach getaway. On arrival you pay a fee, which also includes the boat and lunch. There is a bar and a big rustic wooden deck with chairs and shade. Right off shore are two shipwrecks, one only half submerged, which offer great snorkeling. Pangaimotu can get popular on Sundays, when there are nothing else to do in Nuku'alofa besides church-going, but there is plenty of shade for everyone. You can also do day trips to the more upscale Fafa Island.

Some of the longest sandy beaches on Fongafale Islet are right in town. The lagoon side offers several long narrow beaches with plenty of trees and palms. However, don't expect to get it for yourself for the friendly locals relax in their hammocks in the shade.

Most of the shore north of town is sandless, but there're a few patches of palmfringed sandy beaches. The nameless beach on the pictured is even very deserted, if you wanted it for yourself. The water on the lagoon side is warm, calm, and shallow, perfect to float around in.