Welcome to Tonga!
Welcome to TradeWinds Mandala Eco-Resort on the three-acre island called Fetoko, in beautiful Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga. Mandala Eco-Resort is a TradeWinds sanctuary, a place where the positive energies of day and night blend seamlessly to create unforgettable memories.
As part of the seven-night TERRA with a Splash experience, your itinerary will include fun activities and excursions both on land and in the sea!
Island sustainability
Fetoko Island, like most islands on the eastern side of Vava’u, is a fossilized ancient seabed, pushed up from the sea floor over time. The above-sea-level land is essentially a crystalized coral reef.
TradeWinds Mandala was built to embrace that unique environment. You will discover a sanctuary for those who live here, and we invite you to share in this experience.
The island encourages us to relax, sustain ourselves, and enjoy. It gives us the opportunity to be aware of our consumption and to practice mindfulness. For example, we provide ample water and electricity off-the-grid, if used wisely.
Please join us in contributing to this living ecosystem and express your gratitude for such a space.
Your accommodation
We trust that you will find your bungalow, or “fale” (faa-lay in Tongan), spacious, comfortable, and fulfilling your needs. Relax and recharge in the beautiful surroundings of our exclusive five-suite luxury villa, and let our TradeWinds team care for you. Enjoy sumptuous fine dining and an exciting range of day trips and activities.
Linens
As we all know, water is precious. We change towels and linens on Tuesdays, unless otherwise necessary. We clean rooms daily, attempting to do so while you are having breakfast.
Please let us know at the beginning of breakfast if there is anything specific that needs attention. We ask that you leave your bathroom towels and bedding in the room. We provide beach towels and offer outdoor hammocks, mats, airbags, and pillows for your enjoyment.
Showers
Water is life! Mandala Eco-Resort relies on rainwater catchment, which is perfectly safe as it is filtered using UV filtration alongside our reverse osmosis system. In recent years, we have experienced a severe ‘El Niño’ drought, which has shifted to a ‘La Niña,’ potentially bringing more drought conditions. As such, please be mindful and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and soaping up, as letting water run is wasteful and easily avoidable, having a significant impact.
Showers are heated by LPG butane gas, with plans for solar heating in the future. Each room has an instant hot water heater; please do not adjust the dials yourself. If you need assistance with the temperature, kindly ask the crew for help. A shower is available in the public bathroom if you would like a quick fresh water rinse after swimming.
Please dry off before sitting on furniture.
Foot pans
We strive to keep sand and dirt out of the rooms. If needed, please dip your feet into the foot pan provided before entering and leave your shoes outside. Do your best to dry your feet before entering the room to protect the floors and prevent slips and accidents. Housekeeping will change the water daily.
Toilets
TradeWinds Mandala operates on low-water composting toilets. Composting is a living system and cannot support sanitary supplies, rubber, plastic, or excessive amounts of paper. To use the toilets, please refer to these instructions:
Flash with a small amount of paper; if you need more paper, use more and flush again.
- Fale 5 bathroom toilet: To add water, press down halfway to fill the bowl; press down all the way when finished and let the lever pop back up quickly instead of gently to ensure the ballcock closes completely.
- All other toilets: Add water by gently lifting the foot pedal. To flush, press down all the way; it should return to neutral when released and the pump should turn off. If it doesn’t, please notify the crew immediately, as the water will continue to run.
A few items for your attention
Hairdryers are available on demand – please take extra care when using them around wet surfaces.
Toiletries are provided in the bathrooms for your convenience, including body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap.
During your stay, feel free to use our TradeWinds snorkel gear, beach bags, and water bottles for your island adventures and water activities. On Friday, your crew will kindly collect these items.
Electricity
Mandala Eco-Resort is completely off the grid and powered by the sun. Think of the island like a giant cell phone: it charges during the day and slowly uses its battery overnight.
To help us conserve energy:
- Please turn off lights and fans when not in use, both during the day and in the evening.
- After entering your room at night, kindly switch off your exterior lights.
Charging and voltage tips
The island runs on 110 Volts. Most devices rated for 100 V and above are compatible, please check your shavers and electronics before plugging in.
When you need a plug adapter or have a device with 220 V prongs, just ask your crew. Limit charging of phones, laptops, and other devices to daylight hours, and unplug everything before sunset.
Device Safety
Most modern chargers (phones, tablets, laptops) are designed to handle a voltage range of 100V–250V, which suits Tonga’s 240V supply. However, please use caution when plugging in devices, especially with adapters. Computers typically have built-in voltage
converters, but other electronics may not. If you’re unsure, ask your crew before connecting to avoid damaging your device.
Dress
We prefer a relaxed and casual atmosphere for meals here at TradeWinds Mandala. Come as you are! Tongans are very relaxed and friendly people, often with strong religious values. While in town and villages, please respect their cultural norms by covering your shoulders, knees, and midriffs. You are welcome to swim in swimsuits here on Fetoko Island, but please bring a cover-up if you plan to visit neighboring islandsNo smoking
Please refrain from smoking inside at the resort. You may smoke on the beach or on the jetty, but kindly dispose of all cigarette butts in the trash cans.Quit time
Please respect our neighbors by keeping noise levels down on Sundays.No smoking
Please refrain from smoking inside at the resort. You may smoke on the beach or on the jetty, but kindly dispose of all cigarette butts in the trash cans.Quit time
Please respect our neighbors by keeping noise levels down on Sundays.Entertainment and activities
During your unforgettable Terra with a Splash week, immerse yourself in a wide array of exceptional activities. Experience the thrill of sailing around the island on our catamaran, where you can learn to sail or challenge yourself to beat the circumnavigation record of just eight minutes!
Explore the wonders of the ocean with our snorkeling gear and sea scooters, or find your zen on our yoga deck, which comes equipped with yoga mats. For the adventurous, we offer kayaks and paddleboards to explore the pristine waters. It takes two people to carry the kayaks, so please ask the crew for assistance if needed.
Before entering the water, please inform the crew. This ensures your safety and allows us to provide any necessary guidance or support.
Join in fun afternoon beach games and evening campfires, weather permitting. Our exclusive Splash boat Luna will transport you to breathtaking diving and snorkeling spots, where the vibrant marine life will leave you in awe. You may find that one week simply isn’t enough to fully appreciate all the beauty and adventure Vava’u has to offer!
Whales
From July to October, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Tonga’s warm, sheltered waters to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. During this season, TradeWinds guests may catch glimpses of whales from afar, breaches, tail slaps, or spouts above the water.
However, sightings are never guaranteed, and nature doesn’t follow a strict schedule. Each season is unique, and whale activity can vary week to week.
Important conservation guidelines
Tonga enforces strict conservation regulations to protect these majestic creatures. All whale-related activities, including swimming and watching, must be conducted with licensed operators. For safety and compliance, no whale interactions are permitted during your Trade Winds Experience. Whale excursions must be scheduled before or after your TradeWinds charter dates.
Whale activities, at minimum, typically start at 7 a.m., last all day and are often booked for 3–5 days to maximize opportunities to see whales. Our recommended operator, Explore Vava’u, has licensed, professional, and conservation-minded crew and is very familiar with TradeWinds schedule.
For back to back experiences in Tonga, Explore Vava’u can possibly schedule an excursion between your check-out and check back in time. They can also share insight on accommodations to extend your stay before or after your TradeWinds’ experience.
Entertainment and activities (continued)
Food
Savor the flavors of the local land at Terra with a Splash, where we proudly embrace a farm-to-table philosophy. Our culinary offerings are sourced from local farmers and reflect the freshest ingredients our beautiful island has to offer.
Delight in the taste of fish caught directly from the pristine waters of Tonga, paired with eggs from our own free-range chickens on a nearby island.
Additionally, our aeroponic garden provides us with a bounty of vibrant produce, ensuring that each meal is a celebration of local excellence. During your stay, be prepared to indulge in a truly exceptional dining experience that showcases the very best of
Vava’u’s rich agricultural heritage – creating a feast for both the palate and the soul.
Island animals
A variety of bird species can be spotted on the island, including resident Kingfishers and Herons. Fruit Bats, often referred to as
‘Flying Foxes’, can be seen flying overhead and in the coconut trees. Hermit crabs may be found throughout the island, mostly coming out at night.
Geckos and skink lizards are commonly spotted and are harmless. Large Huntsman spiders build impressive webs – although they appear big and move quickly, they will not bother you and cannot hurt you.
Resident kitties, Hopi (born February 2020) and Jimbo (born May 2022), are always up for a pet or a welcomed cuddle. Neutrino, our dog (born November 2021), has good manners and behaves well. He is friendly, curious and easy to befriend.
We do not encourage him to jump up on people. Please do not invite Neutrino to the table and please do not ever feed
him! Feeding promotes habits that are difficult to break, and the crew would rather not have to ask you to stop – it’s
an awkward situation for everyone involved!
Your comfort and safety
Your safety is our top priority, and we want you to enjoy every moment of your vacation!
Stay safe in the sun
Slip on a swim shirt, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat and sunglasses! Don’t forget to protect the tops of your feet and behind your knees (and anywhere that doesn’t see the sun much), re-apply often!
Enjoy the sea
Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty at Mandala Resort, so you are responsible for your safety while enjoying the sea.
Please let your crew know when you are going in the water.
Living in the environment
As TradeWinds Mandala is situated a distance from neighboring islands, we can effectively control the mosquito population by overturning any standing water. If you are bothered by mosquitoes, please let your crew know, so we can identify and eliminate the sources generating them, ensuring you have a virtually mosquito-free vacation experience.
We are fortunate to not have any biting sand flies in Tonga! Still, you may want to wear long clothing or use repellent if you are bothered.
Take a moment to appreciate nature. Some flowers are delicate, and certain insects, such as wasps, may sting. Our advice is to enjoy the beauty around you while refraining from touching. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints. Be cautious while walking around the grounds, as there may be tripping and slipping hazards, especially when surfaces are wet.
Environmentally conscious
TradeWinds is exceptionally proud of its commitment to the environment, and we continuously strive for a greener planet. This takes effort, interest and commitment.
As our valued members and guests, we know you will assist us, the environment, and our planet, by joining our hands in this worthwhile effort.
Whenever possible, we use disposable, biodegradable plastics and paper, natural cleaning products and continuously endeavor to incorporate many other eco-friendly products.
To maintain our philosophy, and in accordance with our environmental policies and procedures, your towels will not be changed during the week, unless specifically requested.
Towels are usually changed on Tuesday, but our House-keeping team services the rooms daily, and if towels are on the floor we change them. You can request fresh towels at any time by notifying the crew or our House-keeping team.
TradeWinds’ All‑inclusive fee
Your TradeWinds all-inclusive fee includes the following activities and services:
- All meals and drinks served at TradeWinds Mandala
- Open bar
- Water and fuel
- Professional team, incl. a captain and a first mate/chef and island staff
- Kayaks, paddle-boards, bonfires, snorkel gear, diving gear, floats, beach games, sea scooters
- Guided excursions to explore the fascinating marine and bird life in the island group, and other excursions
- Captain’s sunset cocktails every evening around sunset
Not included in the fee:
- Off-island dining
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities (shared with all island staff; industry guideline 15–20 % of the All-Inclusive Fee per person)
What is a mandala?
The word mandala comes from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated, it means “circle”, though a mandala is far more than a simple shape.
While a Mandala is not a religious symbol, the Tibetan Buddhist tradition involves the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand – a tool for gaining wisdom, compassion and generally depicted as a tightly balanced, geometric composition wherein deities reside. The mandala serves as a tool for guiding individuals along the path to enlightenment.
Commonly nowadays, mandala is a term used to describe any chart, diagram, or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos either metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.
TradeWinds Mandala is a constantly fluctuating and evolving piece of handcrafted artwork. It’s an artistic expression intended to keep the guest rooted in the present moment, outside of their past and future, connecting only with one’s-self.
We hope you enjoy your stay! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Ofu Atu!
