7 Day Ha'apai Trip
7 Day Ha'apai Trip to Serenity Eco-Resort
"Calling all non-campers! Escape 'phone, TV, cars. Paddle, hike, snorkel by day. Sleep to the sound of lapping waves just metres from your private fale by night."
Ha'apai Trip Package Components
- Return airport transfers between Salote Pilolevu Airport, Lifuka Island, Ha'apai and accommodation property. A transfer surcharge applies for upgrades to Matafonua Lodge and Sandy Beach Resort, Foa Island.
- 6 nights' accommodation (based on double occupancy): 2 nights at Evaloni's Guest House or Lindsay Guesthouse and 4 nights at Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability). Optional upgrade to Matafonua Lodge or Sandy Beach Resort.
- A 45-minute orientation talk.
- Quality double and single fibreglass kayaks and accessories.
- 3 days kayaking with professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6).
- 1 day whale watching (Jul - Oct) or sightseeing boat tour (Nov - Jun).
- Resort meals starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 7.
- A farewell dinner.
Ha'apai Trip Itinerary Overview
Note that the following sample itinerary is subject to alterations and delays owing to weather, sea conditions and/or logistical considerations.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Arrival / Orientation
Meals: D.
Accommodation: Evaloni's Guest House or Lindsay Guesthouse (subject to availability).
Accommodation: Evaloni's Guest House or Lindsay Guesthouse (subject to availability).
A driver awaits your arrival at Salote Pilolevu Airport on Lifuka Island, Ha'apai and transfers you to your accommodation. Situated in the quaint township of Pangai, locally owned Evaloni's and Lindsay Guesthouses offers clean accommodations with a Tongan flavour. Shortly after check-in, your guide welcomes you and confirms the time (normally 4:00pm) and venue for this afternoon's 45-minute orientation talk. It is important that all participants attend this informative talk. Dinner this evening will be at either your guesthouse or a local cafe.
Day 2: Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Uoleva Island.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Destination: Uoleva Island.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Transport departs early this morning (exact time is tide-dependent) from your accommodation property to our launching site near Pangai township. Here, the guides give a safety briefing before launching our kayaks. Today we paddle along the leeward shores of Lifuka and Uoleva Islands, skirting villages and beaches. Our base for the next 4 nights is Serenity Beaches Resort, a small island hideaway situated on a crescent white sand beach on the leeward shore of Uoleva Island. An eco-resort, Serenity features fresh rain water, solar and wind generated electricity, natural foods and private showers open to the stars. In the event that Serenity is fully booked, our accommodation will be at Sea Change Eco Retreat featuring beachfront wooden fales and elevated luxury tents with decks, hammocks and private bathrooms.
Day 3: Kayaking
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Lifuka Archipelago.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Excursion Time: 4-5 hours.
Destination: Lifuka Archipelago.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Excursion Time: 4-5 hours.
This morning we depart from our resort aboard Serenity's 30' boat in search of humpback whales! Their team of whale educators discuss humpback whale migration, mating, surface activity and song. From July through October we can observe the impressive acrobatic displays of these magnificent mammals, who migrate from Antarctica annually to breed, give birth and nurse their new-born calves in Tonga's sheltered, warm waters. Outside the whale watch season, enjoy a day of snorkelling, picnicking and sightseeing in the beautiful Lifuka Archipelago.
Day 4: Whale Watching
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Taunga Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours.
Destination: Taunga Island (Base Camp).
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours.
After breaking camp and re-provisioning with water at nearby Lape village, we paddle northeast bound for Taunga Island. En route we may be fortunate enough to sight turtles, dolphins or humpback whales. The latter migrate annually to Tonga's warm sheltered waters (July-October) to breed and calve. Following a picnic and snorkelling at Sisia Island we carry on to inhabited Taunga Island. This evening, the villagers host an authentic Tongan feast consisting of 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. Tasting kava, Tonga's traditional ceremonial drink, and stories around the kava bowl provide an insight into the local culture.
Day 5: Lay Day
Meals: B, L, D.
Destination: Uoleva Island.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Destination: Uoleva Island.
Accommodation: Serenity Beaches Resort or Sea Change Eco Retreat (subject to availability).
Today, Sunday, is by Tongan law a day of rest and worship. Tour operators are not permitted to conduct guided physical activities anywhere within the Kingdom on a Sunday. Take advantage of today's more relaxed pace and explore Uoleva Island. In the cool hours of the morning we stretch our legs with a stroll through low-lying bush to the windward side of Uoleva Island. Following lunch back at the resort, a short walk to the southern tip of Uoleva takes us to a reef drop-off at the edge of Auhangamea channel. Confident swimmers may drift snorkel along a spectacular coral wall. There are also lovely pockets of coral and reef fish closer to shore. Reading, eating and socializing are also pleasant diversions on this enforced lay day.
Day 6: Kayaking
Meals: B.
Destination: Lifuka Island.
Accommodation: Evaloni's Guest House or Lindsay Guesthouse (subject to availability).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Destination: Lifuka Island.
Accommodation: Evaloni's Guest House or Lindsay Guesthouse (subject to availability).
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
On our final day of paddling, we paddle north along the leeward shores of Uoleva and Lifuka Islands back to Pangai township where we started our journey 5 days ago. From the kayaks we observe traditional village life including fish nets and traps; pandanus leaves soaking in the sea to soften and bleach in preparation for weaving mats; and colourful commuter boats piled high with baskets of market produce and cheerful locals. From Pangai, we transfer by taxi back to your accommodation and, later on, enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner!
Day 7: Departure
Meals: B.
The trip concludes today with transfers to Salote Pilolevu Airport.
At a Glance
- Ha'apai Islands, Tonga
- 7-Day Package
- 3 Days Kayaking
- 1 Day Whale Watching (Jul - Oct) / Sightseeing Boat Tour (Nov - Jun)
- Snorkelling
- 4 Nights Eco-Resort Accommodation
- 2 Nights Guest House Accommodation
- Grade: Moderate