Paddlesome

Paddlesome

As relaxed or as challenging as you want

Moderate 6-10 Days From 2,500 NZD pp

6-10 Day Fully guided kayak tour

It would be oarsome, but we use paddles. Explore the diversity of Samoa's lagoons from the villages of Manono Island, to the isolated white sand beaches of your private hideaway retreat of Namua Island. Expect to see numerous turtles and appreciate the diversity of the mangroves. Whether you are new to paddling or a regular kayaker we can build this trip to meet your experience and expectations. The warm clear water is ideal for swimming and snorkelling while the islands of Manono, Namua, Fanuatapu and Nuusafee are ideal paddle destinations. It is not uncommon to see 30 or more turtles, while the giant, fluorescent clams have to be seen to be believed. Your guide has been trained to New Zealand standards and provides both kayak support and a wealth of knowledge on Samoa and its customs.

 

Experience Level

Participants should be confident in the water.  While no paddle experience is required and the trip is mostly within the reef, there are some quite long paddling days and reasonable fitness is required.  The trip can easily be extended to cater for those wanting open ocean or long distance paddles.

Accommodation is in quite basic accommodation, more akin to New Zealand tramping (trekking).

Tour Details

Starting from our base in Mulifanua our first destination is the very traditional Island of Manono.  Here, after exploring the reef we will spend the night at Sunset View Fales.

The next day begins with a dawn paddle to see the sunrise at Nuulopa Island.  Later in the day we will snorkel over the Giant Clams, flourescent molluscs that are nearly a metre long that have to be seen to be believed.

The third day is turtle soup, where after paddling down through a mangrove stream we should find a bale of 30 or more turtles in the main lagoon.

Paddle to Nuusafee Island to experience a pristine, uninhabited island with its own private lagoon.

Take a day off kayaking and visit To Sua Trench and the Togitogiga falls.

Explore the Aleipata Islands with its proliferation of seabirds. Expect to see frigate birds, gannets, boobies and more.  Dolphins are common and whales are occasionally seen.

Those not wanting to kayak can still enjoy the evening hospitality and the visit to the giant clams. 

If you would like to try but have never kayaked – talk to us, as the trip can work for first time kayakers.

We prefer to run this as a custom tour to ensure everyones abilities and interests are met. It can work with families taking teenagers kayakingfor the first time, or regular kayakers wanting a challenging adventure.

  • Sunhat, sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Kayak clothes – A light top (long sleeved if you are sun sensitive) and shorts/swimwear
  • Kayak footwear – reef shoes are nice, jandals are fine, bare feet acceptable
  • Swim wear and towel/sarong
  • Comfortable wear for after kayaking (Shorts, light tops)
  • Toiletries, sleepwear, medications etc
  • Camera/phone – in waterproof bag
  • Snacks
  • Water bottle

Your personal Itinerary will contain a full list with more detailed suggestions.

The tour uses a variety of local accommodation providers. These are all variations on the traditional Beach Fales (pronounced far-lays) that are  provided by the villages and consist of thatched roofs, matting sides, and wooden floors.

The huts are often in the most stunning settings and allow you to sit or lie on your bed and look out across the beach to the most amazing sunsets. Breakfast and dinner are  included and served in a common dining room and the bathrooms are shared facilities. Mattresses, mosquito nets and bed sheets are included.

The fales are equivalent to a permanent campsite and the more traditional ones  are often a highlight for guests. Fale resorts are changing with the times and some offer lockable rooms, corrugated iron roofs, hot showers and ensuites. However, the traditional units are often cooler and much more pleasant.

Paddlesome works best as a custom tour for two or more people.  This ensures that you move at a pace and with goals that suit the entire group.  A few regular departures are scheduled each year.  See the calendar for details. 

Turtles and kayaks works well as a custom tour for groups of 2-16.  We particularly  recommend this if you are a group of four or more.

Within the standard itinerary there is scope to create longer paddling days and more challenging destinations for experienced paddlers.  There is also scope to shorten the distances for novice groups.

 

Additional days and activities can easity be added or ths can be combined with other tours.

Custom tours often have only two participants but we can cater for clubs and extended families of up to 16.

  • Kayak hire
  • Snorkel equipment
  • Kayak Guide
  • All meals on tour (see detailed itineraries)
  • Entrance fees/Customary fees
  • Filtered water

We use new top quality, New Zealand made polyethylene kayaks from Q-Kayaks. Choose from either Southern Endeavour double kayaks and Shearwater single kayaks. Spray decks and PFDs (lifejackets) are from Day Two. Your guide carries full safety gear including tow line, first aide kit, split paddle, PLB and phone/radio.

To be added with new Minim link  

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Dates to be added when travel restrictions ease

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The 9 day Paddlesome adventure couldn't have been better - the perfect mix of relaxation, activity and loads of natural beauty! Our guides were informative and entertaining, and we were totally spoilt - the trip customised to our tastes and abilities. (Although some of those waves were pretty bloody big Ross! 😉 Highlights were all those beautiful turtles, the fresh pawpaw and koko Samoa, and those two glorious days on Robinson Crusoe island - aka Namua. Bliss. Would totally recommend the trip if you want a well-planned, well resourced trip with pleasant company It's good value for money, and great to support Samoan businesses around Upolu.
Leila
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Samoa is now fully open to tourists and all Covid restrictions have been lifted.  As of 22 September 2022, there are NO requirements for vaccination certificates or Covid tests.
The number of flights available is steadily increasing. Qantas starts flying from Australia in November  and Virgin resumes in March.  Air New Zealand flights are expected to reach almost two a day in 2023.