By plane
International flights arrive in Tongatapu. Other than on Sundays, Chathams Pacific, Tonga's Domestic Airline (http://www.chathamspacifi...) fly to Vava'u from Tongatapu twice a day. A few times a week, there are flights from Ha'apai. Chathams Pacific generally run the 50-seat Convair or their 18-seat Metroliner on the Tongatapu-Vavau route. Chathams have 6 aircraft of differing sizes including a fully restored DC3 and you can find full details of their schedule and aircraft on their website (http://www.chathamspacific.com)
Vava'u airport is international and therefore private aircraft and charter are welcome to avail themselves of the custom and immigration services. Scheduled international services to Vava'u from Fiji ceased prior to 2008.
By ship
The MV Olovaha travels once a week from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu to Vava'u via Ha'apai, usually departing on Tuesday and arriving on Wednesday. It makes a return journey to Nukuâalofa on Thursday. It cannot be said to be a particularly comfortable experience, particularly in the summer months.