ʻAta is a depopulated island in the far southern end of the Tonga archipelago, situated approximately 160 kilometres (99 mi) south-southwest of Tongatapu. It is distinct from ʻAtā, an uninhabited, low coral island in the string of small atolls along the Piha passage along the north side of Tongatapu.

The Tongan castaways were a group of six Tongan teenage boys who shipwrecked on the uninhabited island of ʻAta in 1965 and lived there for 15 months until their rescue. The boys ran away from their boarding school on the island of Tongatapu, stealing a boat in their escape.

Aug 26, 2023 · Why did the Tongan Castaways Run Away? Tired of school and seeking adventure, the six kids stole a boat, only to be hit by an unsuspecting storm and shipwrecked on a remote uninhabited island. Their hopeful view of freedom soon turned into a harsh reality, facing the deserted island of ‘Ata.

Just as hope seemed lost, they spotted land – the uninhabited island of ‘Ata, a volcanic rock jutting out of the South Pacific. ʻAta is a deserted island located at the southernmost tip of the Tonga archipelago, about 160 kilometers southwest …

Apr 10, 2020 · Ata is an uninhabited island located in the middle of the ocean near the remote archipelago of Tonga. Ata is one of the few real desert islands where human doesn’t get even close. The survival of six Tongan teenagers boys back in 1965 became a hit in Australia news reports. Here you can watch the old documentary from 1966.

Apr 8, 2025 · Explore the mystique of Tonga's 'Ata Island, its rich history, Pacific exploration, and tales of survival and culture.

Apr 16, 2020 · ‘Ata, Tonga’s southernmost island, is a long way away, separated from Tongatapu by 160 km of open ocean. ‘Ata’s place in the history books is well established. It was here, in June 1863, that the whaling ship Grecian under Captain Thomas McGrath anchored off the northeastern shore and only village, Kolomaile.

ʿEua and ʿAta islands, both volcanic, were sighted in 1643 by the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman, who called them Middleburg and Pylstaert, respectively. ʿEua (33.7 square miles [87.4 square km]) is hilly, and its economy is based on agriculture, tourism, …

ʻAta is a depopulated island in the far southern end of the Tonga archipelago, situated approximately 160 kilometres south-southwest of Tongatapu. It is distinct from ʻAtā, an uninhabited, low coral island in the string of small atolls along the Piha passage along the north side of Tongatapu.

ʻAtatā is an island in Tonga, near the capital city Nukuʻalofa. [1] The island was completely evacuated after the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami.