Tofua Island is situated in the Tonga archipelago, in the south pacific, a 6 day journey from Switzerland.
This oval shape island measures 64 km2 and is 60 % covered by semi-tropical forests.
Tofua is a caldera, formed by the explosion of an ancient volcano.
The volcano remains active, still ejects magma and releases large smoke plumes full of sulfur.
The outskirts of the crater transform into reddish moonlike landscapes crossed by little canyons.
This island is wild, where mankind no longer has hold, it has been uninhabited for 30 years.
Its ground is very rich, home to a variety of vegetation: semi-tropical forest, bush, stone desert, tundra.
The highest point is 515 meters and offers a remarkable panorama.
The island doesn’t have white sandy beaches nor multicolor coral, it has a volcanic origin that has created an entire different aspect.
Its rare beaches are covered in black sand surrounded by cliffs and rocks, a perfect environment to evolve as a “Robinson Crusoe”.
The island has a wide variety of surprising wild life but rarely dangerous if you pay attention.
In 1776, the mutiny on the Bounty sadly made the island famous. The Captain Bligh and his crew spend some time there. Their cave is still visible.
On Tofua Island, during war time, the natives were once cannibals.
More than 30 000 coconut trees are scattered around the island.
Because of its location in the Pacific, the island occasionally encounters heavy tropical cyclones. (January to march)