Friendly Faces of Friendly Islands Kayak Company
Doug & Sharon Spence and 'Epeli Lavaki (left to right)

• Guided tours in the tropical Vava'u and Ha'apai Archipelagos
• Snorkel crystalline waters,
• explore marine caves and comb white sand beaches.
• Camp on uninhabited islands.
• Savour freshly caught seafood, tropical fruits and pure Pacific air.
• Whale watch by sea kayak.
• Learn about the natural and cultural history of this Polynesian paradise.
• Visit traditional island villages and find out for yourself why Captain Cook named these the Friendly Islands.

On our South Pacific sea kayaking expeditions we strive to create a healthy balance between relaxation and adventure. The lush tropical islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai, with their fine white sand beaches, are separated by reefs or open water but are not great paddling distances apart. Thus, there is plenty of time to kayak the warm waters, snorkel amidst colourful coral and inside legendary marine caves, and observe the traditional way of life of the Tongan people.

Whale Watch Workshop

For the last several years our guides have participated in whale watch workshops funded by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme and Whales Alive of Australia and Hawaii. Vava’u was chosen as the venue as it is considered by researchers and whale watch enthusiasts to be the haven of the South Pacific for humpback whales. Participants included water sports operators from several South Pacific island nations including Rarotonga, Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Tonga and Hawaii. Our guides now have a much deeper understanding of humpback whale behaviour which they are keen to pass on to their guests.

We can organise Whale WatchingTours (full day) aboard “Tropic Bird”  - our 8.5m rigid inflatable vessel. Beverages, lunch, transfers to/from the accommodation property and snorkelling gear for use when not in the vicinity of the whales.  NZD$140 per person.

Tour Dates 2007

Price

Tour Dates 2007

Price

Tour Dates 2007

Price

Tour Dates 2007

Price

                                                   PACKAGE COMPONENTS

                                     Sea Kayaking 12 Day Package - HA'APAI Islands    

Grading: Moderate

• Return airport transfers between Salote Pilolevu Airport (Ha’apai) and the guesthouse.

• Three nights’ accommodation (based on double occupancy): 2 nights before and 1 night after the kayak tour at either The Resort at Billy’s Place or ‘Eveloni’s Guesthouse (subject to availability).  Optional upgrade to Sandy Beach Resort upon request.

• A 45-minute orientation talk (Day 2).

• A 9-day kayak tour of the outer islands with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).

• Snacks and 3 meals per day on the kayak tour.

• Camping and snorkelling equipment.

• A traditional ’umu feast.

• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.

                      Sea Kayaking 9 & 11 Day Packages - Vava ‘u Islands  

Grading: Easy+

• Return airport transfers between Lupepau’u Airport (Vava’u and the resort/hotel.

• Three nights’ harbor view accommodation (based on double occupancy): 2 nights before and 1 night after the kayak tour at the Paradise International Hotel or Puataukanave International Hotel (subject to availability).  Optional upgrade to the Tongan Beach Resort upon request.

• A 45-minute orientation talk (Day 2).

• A 6-day (9-day package) or 8-day (11-day package) kayak tour of the outer islands with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).

• Snacks and 3 meals per day on the kayak tour.

• Camping and snorkelling equipment.

• A traditional ’umu feast.

• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.

Sea Kayaking 5 Day Package - Vava ‘u Islands  

Grading: Moderate

• A 45-minute orientation talk.

• A 4-day kayak tour of the outer islands of Vava’u with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).

• Snacks and 3 meals per day on the kayak tour.

• Camping and snorkelling equipment.

• A traditional ’umu feast.

• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.

Adventure Week - Vava ‘u Islands

Grading: Moderate +

A 45-minute orientation talk (Day 1).

• A guided whale watching (Jul-Oct) or snorkelling excursion (Jun, Nov, Dec) with Whale Discoveries aboard 8.5 metre rigid inflatable boat Tropic Bird including lunch (Day 2).

• A day (Day 3) of either sailing including lunch or scuba diving (2 tanks) excluding lunch.

• A 4-day kayak tour (Days 4-7) of the Vava’u Islands with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6) including snacks and 3 meals per day.

• A guided mountain bike tour (Day 8) of Vava’u Island’s back roads, plantations, and beaches including lunch.

• Camping and snorkelling equipment.

• A traditional ’umu feast.

• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.

Please note that the Adventure Week package no longer includes accommodation and transfers.We can arrange these as required

  Vava'u Discoveries -Vava ‘u Islands  

Grading: Easy

• Return airport transfers between Lupepau’u Airport (Vava’u) and the hotel/motel.

• Five nights’ accommodation (based on double occupancy) in harbor view rooms at either the Hilltop Hotel or the Twin View Motel or in pool view rooms at Puataukanave International Hote (subject to availability). Optional upgrade to the Tongan Beach Resort, Paradise International Hotel or Puataukanave International Hotel upon request.

• A day of guided sea kayaking with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6) including lunch (Day 2).

• A guided land tour of Vava’u Island’s plantations, villages and historical/cultural sites of interest including lunch (Day 3).

• A guided whale watching (Jul-Oct) or snorkelling excursion (Jun, Nov, Dec) with Whale Discoveries aboard 8.5 metre rigid inflatable boat Tropic Bird including lunch (Day 4).

• A day (Day 5) of either sailing including lunch or scuba diving (2 tanks) excluding lunch.

• Snorkelling equipment.

• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant

• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home.

NON-INCLUSIVE SERVICES

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE

  The following single supplement (S/S) fees apply where single participants prefer private accommodation or where there is no other single participant with whom to share. To waive the S/S fee, optional accommodation downgrades can be arranged upon request.

  Ha’apai 12-day package                   NZD$105            Adventure Week            NZD$225

Vava’u 9- & 11-day packages            NZD$250         Vava’u Discoveries            NZD$225

Vava’u 5-day package                        N/A

DAILY ACTIVITIES

The following daily activities are offered on demand::

Whale WatchingTours (full day) aboard “Tropic Bird”  - our 8.5m rigid inflatable vessel. Beverages, lunch, transfers to/from the accommodation property and snorkelling gear for use when not in the vicinity of the whales.  NZD$140 per person.

Snorkelling Trips: (full day) aboard "Tropic Bird".  Visit the best beaches and snorkelling spots in Vava'u! Beverages, lunch, transfers to/from the accommodation property and snorkelling gear included.  NZD$115 per person

Guided Sea Kayak Day Tours: (full day) Snorkelling gear included.  NZD$88 per person

Guided Mountain Bike Tours: (full day).  NZD$50 per person.