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Nestled right on the most beautiful beach, Sandy Beach Resort consists of only 12 absolute beachfront Bungalows, so privacy and solitude is guaranteed. All Bungalows have spacious ensuites with solar powered hot water showers and a furnished private terrace facing the ocean.The beach is just footsteps away from the door. The perfect place to relax, unwind and recharge. No crowds, no queues, no TV, no nightclub … pure island life !
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Beautiful location, Fala (hut) on the beach, walk out the door swimming and snorkeling, surrounded by healthy coral reef, awesome food! New owners Darren and Nina and family kind, warm, and gracious. If you are looking for the peace, beauty, and restoration that the South Pacific can give you then you have found it. They also offer many of the activities that larger resorts do (scuba diving, kayaking, deep sea fishing, etc) without the built up, rush, and commercialism that they do. This is the first place we have ever visited that we've both committed to returning. And near the top of our list. Thank you Darren and Nina! And Adam and Harriet.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful stay at Sandy Beach Resort on Foa (in Tonga's Ha'apai Island group) on our recent whale swimming trip. The accommodation is very comfortable, well maintained and with direct access to the beach, and the service was friendly, helpful and enthusiastic throughout. Huge kudos to Tim and Zoe for creating a welcoming, family-run feel at the resort even at the peak of whale swimming season. The meals were casual but well cooked and tasty, and we never felt the need to explore the options at the partner resort up the road. Whale swimming was unforgettable, but we also thought the quality of snorkelling on the house reef and nearby was excellent, and we would happily return even outside of whale season for a relaxing break in paradise.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful relaxing week staying at Sandy Beach Resort. The kitchen in Sandy Beach was closed as it’s off season but we took all of our meals in the sister resort of Matafona Lodge. Food was excellent and it was good casual dining at a large communal table where you got chance to catch up with other guests. Thanks Darren for adapting your daily menus to my strange dietary needs. We did 8 Dives with the resort led by Darren and the lovely Lilly Captaining the boat. I learnt so much about the local Macro from Darren. Plus it was refreshing to see a dive center so focused on the safety of customers. All in all we had a restful and relaxed time at the resort and would like to thank Darren, Nina and all of the team making our experience so memorable.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had a blissful week staying at Sandy Beach resort. The beachfront fales are very clean with wonderful verandahs and utterly beachfront. The view of the bay each morning was stunning, as were the sunsets. Being able to lie in bed and glimpse whales out in the ocean in the morning was magical. Swimming throughout the day whenever it was desired was instantly relaxing. The resort was peaceful, and nestled in beautiful gardens. The kind and friendly staff were warm, welcoming, and amazingly accommodating. The three course dinners were of an extremely high quality, beautifully prepared, and I was so touched by the effort made by the chef to accommodate my dietary needs. We saw whales every morning in the breakfast area, and the cooked breakfast was very sustaining. Thank you to Tim and the team for a very special restorative, and restful stay that ticked all the boxes! -Nicki
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely fell in love with this place, The Owner Darren and Nina and their girls, their staffs all made us feel at home as part of their exted families and welcomed us our group of 8 , to this piece of heaven on earth paradise, we can't thank you enough from the 8 of us, from when my sister inlaw Tracey organised this trip, she had a fantastic prompt and very helpful, correspondense from Peta in the office, everything was taken care of from our arrival to our departure, nothing was too much, they will try their very best to get you what you request if they're able, It was the best 5 nights in not just an Island but my Dad's Village Faleloa in Foa Island Ha'apai that made it even more memorable, to meet my Families on my Dad side for the very 1st time and also 1st time in Ha'apai , and also to visit where he was born and raised and where my ancestor's are resting. We're now back in NZ, but we keep talking and remenising about Sandy Beach and it's aqua crystal water and white sand and want to go back, and we missied the wonderful service that we received from Darren and Nina and all their staffs, and the food was soooo scrumcious, cooked by their very top Chef Darren and Nina and their staffs, yes they're very hands on owner, that's what make this place special and different , because the owner greet and welcome, mixed and mingle and also cooked for their guests. I can't wait to plan my retuned to Sandy beach for the whale watching season, I will not do it any where else but this place. Malo 'aupita and 'ofa lahi atu to you all from Mike and Latu.. Don't worry be Ha'apai
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a fabulous island holiday! We were so pleased to arrive in a clean, spacious fale with a king size bed, and only 30 metres or so from a sandy beach. On our first day we snorkelled outside our fale, warm water and a lively reef not far from shore. The staff were friendly and the food fantastic. Nothing was a problem. The highlight was the whale watching. We had two trips booked and swam with the whales on both trips - wow!! There are two neighbouring resorts owned by the same owners, so we walked between each and could eat and drink at both with everything going on our room. There was better snorkelling in the lagoon at the other resort although Sandy Beach was better placed for the south easterly winds. There is good WIFI at both resort lounge areas.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent 12 days at Sandy Beach and had a WONDERFUL time. All of the staff went out of their way to make our stay the best. Great food. Had 3 whale swims, the last day being the ultimate experience with the appearance of an albino baby humpback with its Mum. The guides were very respectful of the whales and very knowledgeable. Thank you Amy, Liv and Bella for our days on the magic waters of Haapai.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely location on the beach. You stay in your own little bungalow called a fale. The fales and property were immaculate. I arrived with three other women who were going whale swimming. It was nice to meet them for breakfast and dinner. Everyone was friendly. Our planners from Majestic Whale tours were there. We’d share all our water adventures of the day and have some good laughs. They have a world class chef so we had fabulous dinners. I’m so glad I went to Ha’apai and this resort. it feels like you have the entire island to yourself. On Fri. the college students came in and prepared a feast and also did native dances. It was amazing! They also have kayaks and bikes.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Bring your own toiletries. Don’t bother with a beach towel. They also had wet suits which was...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have emailed, written, messaged, kindly written remarks on FB for months now. I get that there was a volcanic eruption. They responded and said no problem since it would be at least another year and I have cancer. I waited patiently. I contacted again and 'I'll do it tomorrow. My apologies'. It's been another week and NOTHING. I even had my bank contact them with a direct link. I won't live to see next year. $2000 is a lot of money to me and my family. I would like to use it to take another trip before I DIE. What does a person have to do????
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Date of stay: September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Darren Rice, General Manager at Sandy Beach Resort
Responded 2 Nov 2022
You were refunded in full as soon as was possible, unfortunately we were without communications after a devastating natural disaster no phones no internet which also means no bank transfers. Please accept our apologies for the un avoidable delays.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Awesome location, staff are amazing and go the extra mile with a smile. Relaxing. Limited wifi so you have to disconnect. It’s fabulous. Food, fabulous. Warm ocean. Great snorkelling. The area is basic and it’s the best. You are coming here to totally relax and go back in time, with a smile.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Bring little and just switch off
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Foa Island area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
sandy beach hotel ha`apai islands
LOCATION
TongaHa'apai IslandsFoa Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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