 "A fantastic trip which lived up to my high hopes. Thoroughly enjoyed each day ... and couldn't get enough of the beautiful Tongan setting (including the whales!). Thanks so much for a great time."
- Michael, Australia
Package Components
- Return airport transfers between
Lupepau'u Airport (Vava'u)
and your accommodation.
- 3 nights' accommodation
(based on double occupancy): 2 nights before and 1 night after the kayak tour at the Puataukanave International Hotel or Paradise International Hotel 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.
- 6-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.
- 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
Meals: on own.
Accommodation: Paradise or Puataukanave International Hotels (subject to availability).
Upon arrival at Lupepau'u Airport in Vava'u you will be transferred to your hotel. Please ensure that you send us your full flight itinerary so we may arrange transport appropriately. Your guides will phone you at your hotel this afternoon to welcome you and discuss the schedule of events for the next few days.
Day 2: Acclimatization
Meals: on own.
Accommodation: Paradise or Puataukanave International Hotels (subject to availability).
Today is an opportunity to acclimatize and, for those travellers arriving from far-away places, to recover from jet lag. Your guides present a 45-minute orientation talk commencing 9:30 a.m. at The Adventure Centre in Toula Village, a two-minute taxi ride from your hotel. 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 3: Day 1 of Kayaking
Meals: L, D .
Destination: Vaka'eitu Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours.
A safety briefing commences 9:00 a.m. at The Adventure Centre before departing for the first of six days of kayaking. Our journey begins in 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 is on uninhabited Vaka'eitu Island.
Day 4: Day 2 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Vaka'eitu Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 1-2 hours.
Following a leisurely hot breakfast, there is an optional paddle to the village of Matamaka on nearby Nuapapu. At low tide, we snorkel the magnificent Coral Gardens, adjacent to our campsite, where colourful coral gardens teeming with reef fish offer snorkellers endless hours of delight. A short hike before dinner to the island's summit may be rewarded by a view of the setting sun and possibly humpback whales (June-November) in Pulepulekai channel!
Day 5: Day 3 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Ovalau Island.
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
After breaking camp we paddle to uninhabited Ovalau Island, reprovisioning with fresh water at either Lape village or Ovaka village en route. 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 to breed and calve. Tonight's camp is a sandy beach facing the setting sun with possibly the best view in the Vava'u Group.
Day 6: Day 4 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Taunga Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Today we paddle to Taunga Island, our base camp for tonight and tomorrow night. Here, in the 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 5 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Taunga Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 1-2 hours.
In the afternoon, an optional paddle takes us to nearby uninhabited 'Eueiki Island for some wall snorkelling and exploring an immense cave with Tarzan-like vines cascading down through a hole in the cave ceiling. Alternatively, you can forego paddling and instead explore the inter-tidal zone of Taunga, Ngau and Pau Islands, connected to one another at low tide by a sand bar.
Day 8: Day 6 of Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: The Adventure Centre.
Accommodation: Paradise or Puataukanave International Hotels (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 eight days ago. Skirting Mala Island, once the home of a cannibal demi-god that 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, Toula Village. From here, we transfer by taxi to your hotel and hot showers! This evening, we dine 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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