 "What a perfect trip, wonderful weather, delicious food, excellent guides ... great snorkelling and whale watching. thank you 'Epeli and Charlie for an excellent time."
- Jackie & Ian, Canada
Package Components
- Return airport transfers between
Lupepau'u Airport (Vava'u)
and your accommodation.
- 5 nights' accommodation
(based on double occupancy) at the Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort depending on availability. Upgrade to Tongan Beach Resort also available depending on availability.
- A 45-minute orientation talk.
- Use of quality double and single fibreglass kayaks and accessories.
- 4-day kayak tour of
the islands with professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).
- Snacks and 3 meals a day on the kayaking portion of the tour.
- A guided whale watching (June-October) and snorkelling excursion aboard 8.5 metre MV Tropic Bird including lunch.
- A day of sailing or scuba diving (2 tanks) including lunch.
- A guided mountain bike tour of Vava'u Island's back roads, plantations, and beaches including lunch.
- Camping and snorkelling equipment including tents, groundsheets and mattresses.
- A traditional 'umu feast with Polynesian singing and dancing in an island village.
- A farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.
Itinerary Overview
Note that the following itinerary is subject to alterations and delays owing to weather,
sea conditions and/or logistical considerations. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Arrival / Orientation
Meals: On own.
Accommodation: Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort (subject to availability).
Upon arrival at Lupepau'u Airport in Vava'u you will be transferred to your motel/resort. Please ensure that you send us your full flight itinerary so we may arrange transport appropriately. Your guides will phone you at your motel/resort this morning to welcome you and discuss the schedule of events for the next few days. Your guides present a 45-minute orientation talk commencing 1:30 p.m. at The Adventure Centre in Toula Village, a two-minute taxi ride from your motel/resort. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. This is your last opportunity to visit the bank and purchase items for the trip.
Day 2: Whale Watching / Snorkelling
Meals: L provided (B, D on own).
Accommodation: Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort (subject to availability).
Excursion Time: 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Aboard our comfortable 8.5 metre rigid inflatable boat, MV Tropic Bird, our team of whale enthusiasts and educators discuss humpback whale migration, mating, surface activity and song. From July through October we observe the impressive acrobatic displays of these magnificent mammals. Outside the whale watching season, we enjoy a day of snorkelling, picnicking and sightseeing in the beautiful Vava'u Islands.
Day 3: Diving or Sailing
Meals: L provided (B, D on own).
Accommodation: Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort (subject to availability).
Excursion Time: Diving 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Sailing 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join our preferred water sport operators, Dive Vava'u and Orion Yacht Charters, for an active morning of scuba diving (two tanks) or a more restful day sailing aboard the trimaran, Orion. Vava'u is a natural playground for diving and sailing, and reputedly one of the best destinations in the South Pacific for both activities.
Day 4: DAY 1 of Kayaking
Meals: L, D.
Destination: Ovalau Island.
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours.
A safety briefing commences 9:00 a.m. at The Adventure Centre, Toula Village, before departing for the first of four days of kayaking. Our journey begins at the entrance to the Port of Refuge, reputedly the most protected and beautiful harbour in the Pacific. We paddle into renowned Swallows Cave, snorkel and picnic at Kapa Island, and finish off the day by skirting several islands on the western side of the island group. Tonight's camp on uninhabited Ovalau Island is a sandy beach facing the setting sun with possibly the best view in the Vava'u Group.
Day 5: DAY 2 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: 'Euakafa Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
On today's paddle to 'Euakafa Island our Tongan guide leads us through shallow reef-strewn turquoise waters. This afternoon is free for snorkelling the exquisite reefs and beach combing the expansive beaches of uninhabited 'Euakafa Island. While paddling we may be fortunate enough to sight turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales, the latter of which migrate annually to Tonga's warm sheltered waters (June-October) to breed and calve.
Day 6: DAY 3 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Taunga Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 1-2 hours.
In the cool hours of the morning, a guided walk to 'Euakafa's distinctive tabletop summit takes us to the site of a legendary royal tomb within the fortress of a Tu'i Tonga king. This afternoon, we paddle to nearby 'Eueiki Island for some wall snorkelling and exploring an immense cave with Tarzan-like vines cascading down through a hole in the cave ceiling. A short paddle across the channel, and we reach the beautiful isthmus of Taunga Island. Exploring the inter-tidal zone of Taunga, Ngau and Pau Islands, connected to one another at low tide by a sand bar, is a pleasant diversion. This evening, the villagers host an authentic Tongan feast consisting of roast suckling pork complemented by fresh root vegetables, octopus, reef fish, vegetarian dishes, and tropical fruits such as papaya in coconut milk, all steamed in an underground oven or 'umu. This gastronomic delight is followed by a traditional Tongan song and dance performance.
Day 7: DAY 4 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: The Adventure Centre.
Accommodation: Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort (subject to availability).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
On this final day of paddling, the journey westward takes us back to the Port of Refuge where we started our journey four days ago. Skirting Mala Island, once the home of a cannibal demi-god who liked nothing better than to catch and eat paddlers passing in outrigger canoes, we cross the channel to Otea Village. From the beach we can snorkel to the entrancing Japanese Gardens before returning to The Adventure Centre. From here, we transfer by taxi to the motel/resort and hot showers! This evening, we dine at a fine restaurant in Neiafu.
Day 8: Mountain Biking
Meals: L, D provided (B on own).
Accommodation: Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort (subject to availability).
Excursion Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The best way to see Vava'u Island is from a bicycle seat. Following a brief orientation at The Adventure Centre you and your guide(s) will set off for a full day of exploring historic sites, legendary caves, plantations, look-outs and beaches on high quality mountain bikes with front suspension forks. This evening your guides join you for dinner at a fine restaurant in Neiafu.
Day 9: Departure
Meals: On own.
The trip concludes today with transfers to Lupepau'u Airport and a warm farewell from your guides.
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