KAYAKING

Tonga

Vava'u is one of the best places to combine a Pacific sea kayaking adventure with visiting villages, camping on uninhabited islands, whale watching, sailing, biking, snorkeling and diving. Vavu's slow relaxed pace of life is little changed from a century ago. You may be fortunate enough to sight humpback whales on their annual migration. Join SSV on this exciting Tonga kayak adventure.

Trip Details

Note: US cost provided is only a guideline based on current exchange rates. Single supplement may apply.

You can extend your trip to 11 days: $2590AUD

Day 1: Pre-Trip Briefing, Overnight Hotel
Upon arrival at Lupepau’u Airport in Vava’u a driver will be waiting to escort you to the Tongan Beach Resort. Please ensure that you send SSV your full flight itinerary so they may arrange transport at the appropriate time. Your guides will phone you at the resort this afternoon to welcome you and discuss the schedule of events for the next few days.

Meals: None
Accommodation: Tongan Beach Resort

Day 2: Acclimation
Today is an opportunity to acclimate and, for those travelers arriving from far-away places, to recover from jet lag. Your guides present a 45-minute orientation talk commencing 9:30am at The Adventure Centre in Toula Village, a two-minute taxi ride from the hotel. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. Today is your last opportunity to visit the bank and purchase items for the trip.

Meals: None
Accommodations: Tongan Beach Resort

Day 3: Sea Kayaking
A safety briefing commences 9:00am at the Tongan Beach Resort before departing for the first of six days of kayaking. The journey begins at the entrance to the Port of Refuge, reputedly the most protected and beautiful port in the Pacific. Paddle into renowned Swallows Cave, snorkel and picnic at Nuku Island, and finish off the day by skirting several islands on the western side of the island group. Tonight’s camp is on Vaka’eitu Island, inhabited only by a small resort hidden in the bush.

Meals: L/D
Accommodations: Vaka’eitu Island (Base Camp)
Paddling Time: 3-4 Hours

Day 4: Sea Kayaking
Following a leisurely hot breakfast, there is an optional paddle to the village of Matamaka on nearby Nuapapu Island. At low tide, snorkel the magnificent Coral Gardens, adjacent to the campsite, where colorful coral gardens teeming with reef fish offer snorkelers 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 Ava Pulepulekai channel!

Meals: B/L/D
Accommodations: Vaka’eitu Island (Base Camp)
Paddling Time: 1-2 Hours

Day 5: Sea Kayaking
After breaking camp, paddle to Ovaka Island and stroll through this quaint outer island fishing village before paddling on to uninhabited Ovalau Island. Tonight’s camp is a sandy beach facing the setting sun with possibly the best view in the Vava’u Group. While paddling in Vava’u, you 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.

Meals: B/L/D
Accommodations: Ovalau Island
Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours

Day 6: Sea Kayaking
In the afternoon, paddle to the isthmus of nearby Taunga Island, your base camp for tonight and tomorrow night. 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.

Meals: B/L/D
Accommodations: Taunga Island (Base Camp)
Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours

Day 7: Sea Kayaking
In the afternoon, an optional paddle takes you to nearby uninhabited ‘Eueiki Island where you do some wall snorkeling and explore an immense cave with Tarzan-like vines cascading down through a hole in the cave ceiling. Alternatively, you can forego paddling and explore the inter-tidal zone of Taunga, Ngau and Pau Islands, connected to one another at low tide by a sand bar.

Meals: B/L/D
Accommodations: Taunga Island (Base Camp)
Paddling Time: 1-2 Hours

Day 8: Kayaking, Overnight Hotel
On this final day of paddling, the journey westward takes you to Mala Island near the Port of Refuge where the journey started six days ago. Mala was once the home of a cannibal demi-god that liked nothing better than to catch and eat paddlers passing in outrigger canoes! From Mala’s beach you can snorkel to the entrancing Japanese Gardens before returning to the Tongan Beach Resort. From here, transfer by taxi to the Paradise Hotel and hot showers. This evening, dine at a local restaurant in Neiafu.

Meals: B/L/D
Accommodations: Paradise Hotel
Paddling Time: 2-3 Hours

Day 9: Trip Concludes
The trip concludes today with transfers to Lupepau'u Airport and a warm farewell from your guides. Meals and beverages on your own.

There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.