Explore Tonga's Friendly Islands by Sea Kayak The Ha'apai archipelago is a remote Tonga sea kayaking paradise. Home to some of the friendliest people in the Kingdom, Ha'apai's relaxed pace of life is little changed from a century ago.
Following a kayak trip briefing and tour of the small town of Pangai, enjoy a nine-day Tonga kayak adventure among pristine coral atolls. SSV leaves plenty of time to snorkel in this underwater paradise, to explore colorful lagoons and palm-fringed beaches, and to visit traditional villages. Bring your spirit of adventure on this Tonga kayaking tour - they are way off the tourist path.
Trip Details
Duration
13 Days
Location
Ha'apai Islands
Season
August, September and October
Trip Type
Sea Kayaking
Nearest City
Ha'apai
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Ha'apai, Tonga
Distance Traveled
10-20km per Day
Minimum Age Limit
14
Paddling Skill Level Required
Intermediate
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
10
Kayaks Supplied
Doubles and Singles
Kayak Brands
Tofino and Dusky Bay doubles and Arluk, Southern Aurora and Puffin Singles
Accommodations
The Resort at Billy’s Place is situated on the east (windward) coast of Lifuka in a plantation, a minute's walk from the beach. The fales are clean and simple; each has its own balcony. The bathroom facilities are shared. Single supplements are available for an additional charge to those who prefer a private room. SSV uses Evaloni’s Guesthouse if Billy’s is unavailable.
Tents, groundsheets and mattresses (thermarests) are included for the camping portion of the tour.
There are no waterfalls, rivers or lakes in Tonga so on tour, guests bathe and wash laundry in the sea using biodegradable saltwater shampoo or soap. Provided there is not a drought, solar shower bags are filled with rainwater from cement tanks in the villages.
Transportation to Start Site
Yes
Dining
There is a wide selection of eateries in Nuku’alofa, but a very limited selection in Ha’apai. In Nuku’alofa, SSV recommends Fakalato Restaurant, Friends Café, Little Italy Pizzaria, Lunarossa Restaurant, Seaview Restaurant, Suliana’s, Taste of India and The Waterfront Café. In Ha’apai, Mariner’s Café or the Sandy Beach Resort.
The tap water in Tonga is treated well water with a high mineral content, giving it a metallic taste. While the tap water is potable, for people unaccustomed to the local water, it is safer to drink rainwater or bottled water. Both are readily available on request at shops, restaurants and hotels.
About Liquor
BYOB
Rates
$2,615.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
$3735 NZD for the 9-day trip. All trip costs are per person in New Zealand dollars (includes Vava'u airport transfer to hotel, all meals except in Neiafu, twin share accommodations).
Note: US cost provided is only a guideline based on current exchange rates. Single supplement may apply.
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Trip Itinerary
Proposed Itinerary: The following itinerary should be seen as an approximate guide only. Please note that weather conditions can cause alterations and delays to the itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival A driver will be waiting at Salote Pilolevu Airport in Ha’apai to transfer you to The Resort at Billy’s Place for two nights accommodations. Please ensure that you send SSV your full flight itinerary so that they are able to meet you at the appropriate time. Airport transfers in Ha’apai are included in your package. Your guides will visit the resort this afternoon to welcome you and discuss the schedule of events for the next few days.
Meals and beverages on your own.
Day 2: Acclimation & Orientation Today is an opportunity to acclimate and, for those travelers arriving from far-away places, to recover from jet lag. Your guides will give an orientation talk at Billy's Place at 9:30am, lasting 45 minutes. This will be your last opportunity before the kayaking portion of the tour to visit the bank and purchase last-minute items for your trip.
Meals and beverages on your own.
Day 3: Day 1 of Kayaking Transport will depart early this morning (exact time is tide dependent) from The Resort at Billy’s Place to the launching site approximately five kilometers north of Pangai. Here, the guides will give a safety briefing before departing for the first of nine days of kayaking. Today, paddle along the leeward shores of Lifuka and Uoleva Islands skirting pristine reefs and beaches. Tonight and tomorrow night’s camp will be on the southern end of Uoleva Island, rated by Outside Magazine as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. Here, too, is a magnificent coral ledge smothered in soft corals - a snorkeler’s dream.
(L, D) Uoleva Island; Paddling Time: 3-4 Hours
Day 4: Day 2 of Kayaking Weather permitting, paddle out across deeper waters, where you are most likely to sight whales, to Luangahu Island, a tiny uninhabited island visited only by local fishermen. Here, you can spend the remainder of the day snorkeling and beach combing for fragments of ancient whale bone from Tonga’s far gone whaling days.
Day 5: Day 3 of Kayaking Base camping two nights on Luangahu allows you to fully enjoy the remoteness of this perfect South Pacific Island. For the energetic, the guides can arrange an optional afternoon paddle to a nearby island with a lighthouse. The many offshore reefs are wonderful spots for snorkeling while towing the kayaks.
Day 6: Day 4 of Kayaking Today’s destination is eastward across a wide body of deep water to Felemea Village on Uiha Island for a re-supply of fresh water. While paddling in Ha’apai, you may be fortunate enough to sight turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales, the latter of which migrate annually (June through November) to Tonga’s warm sheltered waters to breed and calve. The view from the campsite on the southern end of the island gives a preview of the remote southern islands that you will visit tomorrow.
(B, L, D) Uiha Island; Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours
Day 7: Day 5 of Kayaking The paddle plan today is south along the inside of a fringing reef across shallow aqua waters to Uanukuhahaki Island for two days of snorkeling, beach combing and more paddling.
Day 8: Day 6 of Kayaking You have snorkeled for hours on end in the south of the archipelago and witnessed green sea turtles nesting on Uanuku, one of SSV's favorite islands in the Lifuka Group. This remote uninhabited island is definitely not in the guidebooks! An optional paddle in empty kayaks to a nearby island with nothing on it but sand and shells enhances one’s sense of the remoteness of this very special area.
Day 9: Day 7 of Kayaking Retracing your paddle strokes, return today to Uiha Island and stroll through the quaint outer island fishing village of Felemea to work up appetites for tonight’s authentic Tongan feast. Local fare typically consists 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.
(B, L, D) Uiha Island; Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours
Day 10: Day 8 of Kayaking This morning, commence the return journey, paddling northward up the archipelago. Following a rest stop on the uninhabited island of Tatafa, cross Ava Vaha’a Fonua channel to the lee shore of Uoleva Island, where you are welcomed at picturesque Diana’s Resort. The expansive area of green grass here is a welcome change after days of camping on sandy beaches, making a comfortable base camp for the next night. This evening, join together in a farewell dinner at Diana’s Resort.
(B, L, D) Uoleva Island; Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours
Day 11: Day 9 of Kayaking On this final day of paddling, travel north along Uoleva and Lifuka Islands back to Holopeka Village where you started the journey nine days ago. From here, transfer back to The Resort at Billy’s Place and fresh water showers!
(B, L) The Resort at Billy’s Place; Paddling Time: 3-4 Hours
Day 12: Departure The trip concludes today with transfers to Salote Pilolevu Airport and a warm farewell from your guides.
Meals and beverages on your own.
This Package Includes
Snacks and three meals a day on the kayaking portion of the tour.
Three nights’ accommodations (based on double occupancy): two nights before and one night after the kayak trip at The Resort at Billy’s Place or Evaloni’s Guesthouse depending on availability.
Return airport transfers between Salote Pilolevu Airport (Ha’apai) and The Resort at Billy’s or Evaloni’s Guesthouse depending on availability.
A 45-minute orientation talk.
Use of quality double and single fiberglass kayaks and accessories.
A kayak tour of the outer islands with professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).
Tent (one or two-person), groundsheet and thermarest.
A traditional ’umu feast with Polynesian singing and dancing in an island village.
A souvenir T-shirt to take home.
Snorkeling gear (although SSV recommends you bring your own to ensure a good fit).
One ten-liter dry bag.
Reservation Policy
A non-refundable deposit of AUD$500 per passenger and a completed booking form is required to hold your reservation. The balance becomes due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
90 and 60 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip cost per person;
Less than 60 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip cost per person.
There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.
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