Your guides present a 45-minute orientation talk commencing 9:30 a.m. at The Adventure Centre in Toula Village, a 5-minute taxi ride from the Neiafu township. Please call us to reconfirm the time and venue. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. Following the briefing there is an optional guided walking tour of Neiafu, Vava'u's historic harbour town, and environs. This is your last opportunity to visit the bank and purchase items for the trip.

A safety briefing commences 9:00 a.m. at the Tongan Beach Resort 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 in the Pacific. We paddle into renowned Swallows Cave, snorkel and picnic at Nuku Island finishing off the day by skirting several islands on the western side of the island group. Tonight's camp on Ovalau Island is a sandy beach facing the setting sun with possibly the best view in the Vava'u Group.

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.

A guided walk to the summit of 'Euakafa's distinctive table top island in the cool hours of the morning 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 uninhabited 'Eueiki Island where we do some wall snorkelling and explore 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.

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 us your full flight itinerary so we 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.

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 15-minute taxi ride from the Tongan Beach Resort. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. Following the briefing there is an optional guided walking tour of Neiafu, Vava'u's historic harbour town, and environs. This is your last opportunity to visit the bank and purchase items for the trip.

A safety briefing commences 9:00 a.m. at the Tongan Beach Resort before departing for the first of six days of kayaking. Our journey begins at the entrance to the Port of Refuge, reputedly the most protected and beautiful port in the Pacific. We 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.

Following a leisurely hot breakfast, there is an optional paddle to the village of Matamaka on nearby Nuapapu Island for those who want to attend church and enjoy the lovely singing. At low tide, we snorkel the magnificent Coral Gardens, adjacent to our camp site, 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-October) in Ava Pulepulekai channel!

After breaking camp we 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 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.

In the afternoon we paddle to the isthmus of nearby Taunga Island, our 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.

In the afternoon, an optional paddle takes us to nearby uninhabited 'Eueiki Island where we do some wall snorkelling 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.

On this final day of paddling, the journey westward takes us to Mala Island near the Port of Refuge where we started our journey 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 we can snorkel to the entrancing Japanese Gardens before returning to the Tongan Beach Resort. From here, we transfer by taxi to the Paradise Hotel and hot showers! This evening, we dine at a local restaurant in Neiafu.

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 us your full flight itinerary so we 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.

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 15-minute taxi ride from the Tongan Beach Resort. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. Following the briefing there is an optional guided walking tour of Neiafu, Vava'u's historic harbour town, and environs. This is your last opportunity to visit the bank and purchase items for the trip.

A safety briefing commences 9:00 a.m. at the Tongan Beach Resort before departing for the first of eight days of kayaking. Our journey begins at the entrance to the Port of Refuge, reputedly the most protected and beautiful port in the Pacific. We 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.

Following a leisurely hot breakfast, there is an optional paddle to the village of Matamaka on nearby Nuapapu Island for those who want to attend church and enjoy the lovely singing. At low tide, we snorkel the magnificent Coral Gardens, adjacent to our camp site, 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-October) in Ava Pulepulekai channel!

After breaking camp we 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 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.

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, our base camp for tonight and tomorrow night.

A guided walk to the summit of 'Euakafa's distinctive table top island in the cool hours of the morning takes us to the site of a legendary royal tomb within the fortress of a Tu'i Tonga king. This afternoon we have the option of paddling empty kayaks to nearby uninhabited 'Eueiki Island, where we do some wall snorkelling and explore an immense cave with Tarzan-like vines cascading down through a hole in the cave ceiling.

Today we make our way to the eastern chain of islands and visit Ofu village before paddling around to our windward campsite. 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.

This morning we paddle across to neighbouring Kenutu Island, one of three eastern islands comprising a fringing reef that protects the Vava'u Group from the Pacific swells. From the summit of the precipitous or windward side of the island a spectacular view of the waves crashing against the cliffs helps one appreciate the calm idyllic waterways inside the reef.

On this final day of paddling, the journey westward takes us to Mala Island near the Port of Refuge where we started our journey eight 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 we can snorkel to the entrancing Japanese Gardens before returning to the Tongan Beach Resort. From here, we transfer by taxi to the Paradise Hotel and hot showers! This evening, we dine at a fine restaurant in Neiafu.