Explore this traditional Island by Kayak
Only 6 kms from our base, and accessible from within the lagoon, Manono Island is an ideal day trip destination. The island is home to four small villages and is one of the most traditional places in Samoa with dogs, cars and bikes banned. With a bit more time, stay the night and take a two hour relaxed walk around the island. Accommodation is in village fales - providing a good introduction to daily life. The kayak route can stay within the reef, but a shortcut outside the reef can often allow glimpses of giant turtles sleeping on the surface. The Kayak Manono trip has many options and can easily be tailored to the interests, experience and fitness of the group.
Kayaking
From 12 kms all inside the reef to 20kms inside and outside the reef, depending on experience and conditions.
Fully Guided
Experienced guide and modern single and double kayaks from Quality Kayaks. Self guided tours possible for experienced kayakers.
Culture
Explore the most traditional villages in Samoa on this island with no roads, dogs or bicycles.
Packages Available
Departures available on any day. Can be added at the start or end of any tour or booked as a separate 1-3 day adventure.
More Info
Tour Details
The trip normally starts at our base at Mulifanua, but starts closer to the island at Manono Wharf or Le Vasa are possible.
It is best to arrive as early as possible as the afternoon sea breezes can limit some kayaking options.
After a full briefing and fitting the kayaks, the paddle will typically take about two hours plus a stop on the shore when we first arrive. Lunch (or possibly your overnight stop) will be at Sunset View on the far side of the island.
Those staying overnight will usually take an afternoon stroll around the island. This often coincides with village games of volleyball and touch rugby that you can join in. A predawn start for a paddle to Nuulopa Island to observe the flying foxes leaving for their day of pillaging fruit on the mainland is recommended.
If you didn’t stop for a snorkel in the lagoon on the way over, take a trip out to the reef and explore.
If only going for the day, time to explore the island is limited as the paddle back is usually into the sea breeze (There is a ferry option). The return paddle is normally entirely within the reef and can be either to our base or the wharf.
Those not wanting to paddle can catch the ferry both ways. They can also travel in a double kayak with a guide.
The trip is broadly suitable for anyone who is water confident and no paddling experience is required. However it is a longer trip with fewer options to stop than the Turtle Kayak. Less confident paddlers can share a double kayak with a guide.
Trade winds and the afternoon sea breezes can make the return harder work, but there is always an option to catch the ferry.
Experienced kayakers can find plenty of challenge on different routes. These can include outside the reef, the back of Nuulopa Island and extended paddles along the coast of Upolu.
It is important that the group has a common set of objectives as the Island provides so many potentially different trips. For this reason we prefer to run this as a custom trip where goals are agreed before we start.
Overnight guests stay at Sunset Villas. These are simple units in Apai Village. Shared and private facility options are available.
Any date is possible. This is a popular add-on at the beginning or end of the Savaii Escape.
This is nearly always a custom tour. It can be a complete tour in itself, or combined with any other activity to form a bigger trip.
Scheduled tours have a normal maximum of eight and a minimum of two. Custom tours can accommodate up to 16.
We use Shearwater singles and Southern Endeavour doubles made by Quality Kayaks in New Zealand. PFD (lifejackets) are from DayTwo. The guides carry full safety equipment including PLBs.
Day Tour – NZ$189 pp – Min 2 people. Price includes lunch and return guide trip. A one way paddle is an additional NZ$40 for the ferry back.
Overnight Tour – with ferry /self guided return NZ$377 pp – Min 2 people (incl. lunch, dinner, fale accommodation, breakfast). Self guided return is subject to weather and our assessment of your experience.