Phone NZ: (+64) 4 974 5214 Skype: rossbidmead Mobile NZ: (+64) 21 404 089 Email: [email protected] Phone : (+685) 45991 Mobile Samoa: (+685) 762 1530 www.outdoorsamoa.com

March 2017 Paddlesome Expedition

Number on tour: 4-6 Start Date: Thursday, 16 March 2017 End Date: Friday, 24 March 2017 Kayak: 2 seats - From 17/03/2017 to 24/03/2017 Kayak Guide Days: 9 days - 17/03/2017 – 24/03/2017 Transport: All transport from Airport pickup to return to at the end of the kayak tour

Trip Overview

This kayak tour explores many of the islands near the coast of . It begins with a paddle to the very traditional island of Manono, takes in the picturesque deserted island of Nu’usafe’e and finishes in the wilderness islands of Aleipata. Along the way there are opportunities to see many turtles and seabirds, giant clams and mangroves. There is also a good chance to see dolphins and whales. Most of the accommodation is in Beach Fales within villages where there are many opportunities to observe and participate in the local culture.

Dates and times are local time - Samoa is 1 hour ahead of New Zealand. Schedule Thursday, 16 March 2017 Arrival Flight details to be advised. You will be met by an Airport Lodge representative (he will be standing just outside of arrivals. Please exit out the left hand door and look out for him, he will have a sign with your name on it), and transferred to our base at Airport Lodge (10-minute journey). Transfer Airport to Airport Lodge (AL) Airport Lodge - Garden Bungalow with Fan - Double * Friday, 17 March 2017 To Airport Lodge - Breakfast B

After a briefing we will fit your kayaks to you and set off for Manono. We are located on the most sheltered coast in Samoa and it is one of the few places where it is easy to cross the reef and paddle in sheltered open ocean. So conditions permitting, we will venture out to where the big turtles live, otherwise we stay within the reef all the way. There is usually time today for basic kayak skills training and we will encourage you to experience a wet exit and deep water re-entry (falling out in open water). With the water temperature around 29 degrees there is no pleasanter place to learn.

Our accommodation is on the South side of Manono so we paddle most of the way around the island which is a great chance to observe village life from the water. Within the lagoon we usually spot smaller turtles and occasionally eagle rays will breach spectacularly nearby.

After lunch there is time for more kayak skills work, snorkelling on the reef or a two hour walk around the island. Sunset View Fales L, D, B

Saturday, 18 March 2017 Giant Clams and Flying Foxes Getting up pre-dawn on only the second morning seems a bit tough but watching the sun rise from a kayak off Nu’ulopa Island as the flying foxes return to roost is well worth the effort. In good conditions we can paddle right round this little

island which is usually a great chance to experience a small, gentle surf for those who want a bit more challenge before breakfast. Back at the fale resort we have breakfast and pack before heading back to the mainland. There are several route choices but we will normally paddle down the South Coast within the reef before swapping the kayaks for a car trip across the Falelatai saddle to Le Faga Bay.

Le Faga Bay is home to a colony of about 150 giant clams. These 200kg molluscs are over 80 cms long and spectacularly coloured. They are also easy to snorkel to being only 50 metres offshore in sheltered water. They can close remarkably quickly so we only swim there above half tide to leave a good 2 metres of water above them. (High tide on 18 March 2017 is at 11am) We finish the day at Vai Villa Resort, a unique village based resort in Vai Villas* L, D, B

Sunday, 19 March 2017 Turtle Soup We begin with a paddle down a small mangrove lined stream. Along the way there is time to study the complex mangrove root systems and look out for the many varieties of orchids in this diverse environment. Reaching the lagoon, we paddle up the coast to a private and pristine beach for lunch before heading out to a unique deep water area. It is here in the deep but sheltered waters that we usually find a bale (group) of large turtles. These mature animals are so big that they are often unafraid of people. Then there is time to snorkel with them along the edge of the reef. Even if the turtles don't visit us the diversity of fish and reef life make this a good snorkel. By early afternoon the trade winds are usually picking up a bit and we may have a chance to hoist the kayak sails. Or if the water is still, we will probably see another dozen or so mid-size turtles grazing on the sea grass floor of the lagoon. Vai Villas* L, D, B Monday, 20 March 2017 Nu'usafe'e Island We launch from the beach at Tafatafa for a 5km paddle down the coast to Nu'usafe’e Island. The island is uninhabited and has two beautiful white sand beaches and its own private lagoon. We stop for a leisurely lunch, swim, snorkel and explore. The approach to the island is quite sheltered, but it's technically outside the lagoon and for those wanting to play in the waves there are often several opportunities to gain new skills. The nearby mangroves at provide a calm contrast and are always worth a tour if people can be persuaded to leave the island.

We finish the day at Tafatafa where Vaiula Beach fales is resort built on the shore of the lagoon. This is one of the most pleasant beaches on Upolu and with the range of nearby activities.

Vaiula Beach Fales L, D, B

Tuesday, 21 March 2017 Rest Day & local attractions This is a rest day from the sea, but there is a huge range of things to see and do with a car and driver at your disposal. Our recommendations include:  the collapsed lava tube of To Sua Trench, with its sea pools at the bottom of a deep pit  Togitogiga Falls for a fresh water swim and waterfall jumps  The forest walk to the Ma Tree  Lava Tube caving

Or you could just relax on the white sand beach of Tafatafa. Vaiula Beach Fales D, B Van Tour

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 Normally we will put in at and paddle to Island. The route is dependent on swell conditions but with a little luck we will be able to exit through one of the small reef channels and cruise past Nu’utele Island. As we approach the Island we will be closely monitored by large boobies that soar and swoop above us.

Dolphins are often present in the main bay and as we approach the main channel back into the lagoon we are likely to see large turtles on the surface.

Our destination for the day is Namua Island which will be our base for 2 nights. The fale resort is located on a very sheltered, sandy beach and being the only habitation on the island, with no electricity there is a real sense of a tranquil, remote getaway. It's a great place to relax, but also a fun place to explore. At low tide it is possible to scramble around the base of the island, exploring the hidden beaches on the exposed East coast. The climb to the top of the island is also well worth the effort for the views over the reefs and bays, and a chance to study the seabirds soaring close to the cliffs. Namua Island Fales L, D, B Thursday, 23 March 2017 Aleipata Kayak - Islands explore An opportunity to explore the neighbouring islands of , Nuutele and Nu’utele. Fanuatapu Island lies on the edge of the reef with a sheltered beach within the lagoon. From the lighthouse at the top we get a close up view of frigate birds in aerial dog-fights with shearwaters and other smaller birds (frigates lack waterproofing oil in their feathers and feed either by skimming the sea surface or stealing food from other birds). On clear days American Samoa is visible 70 kms away on the horizon. On the return from Fanuatapu there are opportunities to snorkel over the coral gardens.

Nu’utele Island lies entirely outside the reef and so access is dependent on swell conditions. The cliffs on the East side are home to numerous seabirds and we get a unique view of them nesting in the cliff holes and clifftop trees. If conditions are right we will land at the abandoned Leper Colony which is located on a spectacular beach. The remains of the colony are still present, but the storm debris spread almost 100 metres inland to the foot of the old buildings is stark reminder of how isolated and tough living here must have been. There is a resident pod of dolphins in the bay and we have occasionally had whales breach nearby.

Nuulua Island is the most remote and exposed island in the group with no landing areas and we only occasionally visit despite the spectacular birdlife Namua Island Fales L, D, B Friday, 24 March 2017 To Apia The final day in the Aleipata Islands. This could be a walk around Namua Island, a paddle out to one of the other islands or turtle viewing in one of the channels. After lunch it’s time to say Tofa Soifua to the islands and head into Apia.

Amanaki Hotel - Standard Room - Double * B

Saturday, 25 March 2017 Own arrangements Spend the morning seeing town before heading out on an afternoon flight, or stay on for a few more days.

* Indicates motel level accommodation - see notes below.

Accommodation Notes The fale resorts can be best thought of as camping style. They have good, waterproof roofs, solid wooden floors, matting sides, mosquito nets, bedding, pillows and mattresses. Bathrooms are shared and dining is usually from a limited or set menu. Allocation of specific fales for singles/doubles cannot always be guaranteed within your group during busy periods due to limitations with fale resort booking practices. The fale locations and the hospitality often make these the magic nights of the trip.

Motel standard accommodation provides motel/hotel like rooms with ensuite facilities. Cultural Sensitivity – Dress Code As Samoa is a very traditional country and the people very religious we recommend a modest dress code when cycling through villages. Tight lycra shorts should be covered with baggy shorts (or even a skirt for women). When kayaking it is appropriate for women to have a sarong/lava lava handy to cover up when landing. Respect is especially important on Sunday as it is traditionally a day of rest in Samoa.

Your experience and interaction with the Samoan people and their culture will be enhanced by showing this appropriate cultural sensitivity. Pricing

Price Per Person (NZD): $2,500

Price Inclusions: Airport transfer on arrival Accommodation for nights shown Meals as shown (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) Kayak hire as detailed Kayak Guide for entire tour Upolu transport as detailed Filtered water Customary Fees

Price Exclusions: Meals except where shown Airfares Addition recommended tours