Expedition Dates: 2008 17th May - 25th May 2008
The Northern Exploration expedition is a first ever kayak around Kadavu's northern islands. It has been extensively researched by our experienced team. This is the perfect adventure expedition for those who have little time off work and who want to do something has ever done before. You only need to take off one week of work. When you fly out on Friday or Saturday, you can return home the following Sunday. How cool is that?
Highlights:
- Discover the as yet unexplored northern islands of Kadavu
- Stay on uninhabited islands, exploring, fishing and snorkeling
- Kayak the coast of one of the world's most beautiful and remote islands
- Snorkel the Great Astrolabe Reef one of the largest reefs in the world
- Have the opportunity to SCUBA dive world class reefs
- Stay in a traditional Kadavu Village as a guest of its Chief
Overview:
Kadavu Island lies 100km south of Fiji's largest Island Viti Levu. It is a remote, mountainous and lush island surrounded by the most pristine Pacific Ocean waters. It also shelters the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the world's largest and beautiful reefs. Few people live here which simply adds to the sense of adventure you are about to undertake.
Our Kadavu Northern Exploration is a first for any company. This string of islands will take us nearly 80 km north of Kadavu's Tiliva, over pristine waters to the northern most island of Vanuakula. We may even explore a large atoll even further north of this. Most nights will be spent in remote beach camps or villages with the remainder in simple buries on the inhabited islands.
Our days will be spent kayaking (approximately 4-5 hrs per day), trekking, snorkeling and generally exploring the region. All this with only one week off work.
We will paddle in two person kayaks and be guided by 2 to 3 trained guides from New Zealand and Fiji. While you do not need to be a kayaker, you will need to be physically fit for this expedition.
You don't have to be an elite athlete, but you should be in good shape, and ready to pack your week full of action.
Our guides will be pouring on the options. Pre-breakfast hikes, sea-kayaking side-trips, snorkeling instead of siestas, fishing, surfing, coconut tree climbing workshops, epic beach volleyball matches, extended kava sessions, paddling under the moon and stars. For those hungry for adventure and the unexplored then the Northern Exploration Kadavu is a banquet.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Saturday - Air and boat travel Nadi-Kadavu-Waisalima Beach Resort.
Day 2: Sunday - Sea-kayaking Waisalima-Yabu Island.
Day 3: Monday - Sea-kayaking around Yabu and Vurolevu islands.
Day 4: Tuesday - Sea-kayaking from Yabu to Dravuni village.
Day 5: Wednesday - Sea-kayaking from Dravuni to Namara Island.
Day 6: Thursday - Sea-kayaking from Namara to Waisalima Beach Resort.
Day 7: Friday - Trekking from Waisalima to Sogasevou village.
Day 8: Saturday - Trekking from Sogasevou to Matava Resort.
Day 9: Sunday - Air and boat travel Matava - Nadi.
This is Plan A
Any expedition worthy of the name includes changeable elements. The weather and marine conditions, resort and village events, adjusted airline schedules, acts of God and other local deities, and other events beyond our control, may from time to time inspire a change of itinerary.
Our Guides and Team:
We are carefully organized and professionally led. We take your safety seriously. We employ the best guides and use the best equipment available. Our guiding team are chosen for their skill and professionalism, their personality and knowledge, and above all, their ability to keep guests safe on and off the water.
Our guiding team form a kind of bridge between people of different cultures, and introduce guests to new environments and activities in a thoughtful and good-humored manner.
Our equipment is well-maintained and up-to-date. The guides carry First Aid equipment, and know how to use it. Our support boat is always nearby. Our company in Fiji is organized and led in association with a Kadavu Island-based sea-kayaking and trekking company. In the north-east region of the Kadavu group, where our expeditions take place, there are 4 nursing stations and 2 small hospitals, all professionally staffed.
Kadavu offers a sense of remoteness and the opportunity for adventure. Any genuine adventure involves some degree of risk. We ask you to take responsibility for your own actions while traveling with us, but commit ourselves to doing our very best to ensure your safety.
Is Kayaking easy to learn? Do I have to be fit?
No prior experience is necessary. As long as you are in good health and have a sense of adventure, you will quickly master the skills needed to paddle and steer your kayak. Our experienced guides will give an introductory lesson at the beginning of the journey, and will be there to help and keep everyone happy and safe throughout.
Would the expedition be too hard/too easy for me?
The Kadavu Northern Exploration will be a challenging kayak. If you are physically fit and have a sense of adventure then these expeditions are for you.
The Reef and its Conservation
The Kadavu people call it Cakau Levu, (literally: 'big reef'), while it is more widely known as the Great Astrolabe Reef. The French explorer Dumont d'Urville named it after his boat, the Astrolabe, while sailing past in 1834. Around 150 km (93 miles) in length, the reef and its waters create one of the worlds most biologically diverse marine areas.
A wide variety of life, including reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and whales, along with untold coral fish and shellfish species, can be found among the soft and hard coral formations. The coral itself can be seen in every shade of the rainbow. For many of our guests, their encounter with Cakau Levu, the Great Astrolabe Reef, is a significant aspect of their whole Kadavu experience.
To kayak across the clear water and be able to look deep into the lagoons, to snorkel amidst the fish and coral, and to drift off to sleep to the sound of the ocean swell crashing upon the distant barrier reef are all experiences of a natural environment that is rare and still full of mystery, huge in scale, yet delicate and fragile.
While it is more healthy than many coral reef ecosystems around the world, the Great Astrolabe is today at risk in a changing environment. Commercial over-fishing, harmful land-use practices, and the rising ocean temperatures all pose significant threats to the reef, and also to the people of Kadavu, who's way of life is deeply interconnected with the reefs' health.
Several Kadavu village communities have set aside parts of their traditional fishing grounds as reserves where all fishing is banned, to improve the health of the wider marine area, and encourage an understanding among local people of the value of conservation.
Pre Departure Information:
Once your expedition is confirmed we will send you detailed Pre Departure Information which includes a list of recommended clothing and personal equipment, along with other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip.
Information and Support:
If you have any comments, questions or want more information, please let us know. We are here to support you with all information to help you prepare for your travels to Fiji.
Price Includes:
- 2-3 guides accompanying the group;
- Return Nadi-Kadavu airfares, flying Sun Air;
- All boat travel throughout, including resort transfers and short-term chartering of local boats in the event that weather and marine conditions make it necessary;
- 3 nights accommodation in resorts;
- 2 nights home-stay in a village;
- 3 nights in tents on remote beach camps;
- All meals while in Kadavu;
- Motorized support boat throughout;
- 7 days guided sea-kayaking, trekking, snorkeling, all sea-kayaking and snorkeling equipment and instruction (guide - client ratio 1 : 4);
- All expenses related to accessing places of interest (eg: marine reserves, waterfalls, historic sites), and participating in local ceremonies and events;
- Use of double kayaks.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Excludes:
- In-between meal snacks;
- Personal resort expenses (eg: scuba-diving, bar tabs, laundry, phone calls);
- Travel insurance, excess baggage charges;
- Expenses related to medical treatment and emergency evacuation;
- All expenses incurred due to flight cancellations/delays or due to other causes beyond our control ("force majeure").
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Fiji
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Snorkeling
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