PAPUA NEW GUINEA

From the first stroke, the aim of this epic expedition is to paddle the length of the Basilaki and Sideia Islands in the Samarai chain at the western edge of the Louisiade Archipelago. Its towering faces, hidden caves and uninhabited shores set an exotic objective for a frontier sea kayaking adventure.

Paddling up to 20km a day, you’ll exploit the prevailing trade winds to navigate a route from east to west through the islands. Explore their reef fringes, coves and beaches in between powering across stretches of open water, before establishing camp each night to slumber to the sound of the ocean.

The secondary aim is to connect with indigenous communities on the islands. The Melanesian natives have little access to the outside world, relying on a subsistence lifestyle of fishing and farming. With a conscientious approach, we will exchange goods for food supplies in keeping with their barter economy to support schools, villages and healthcare in the communities.

A truly immersive ocean experience, this kayaking expedition is your chance to log your own unique voyage.

Highlights:

• Discover the remote islands of the Louisiades Archipelago.
• Complete a frontier sea kayak adventure.
• Paddle between islands on two person sea kayaks.
• Explore the rich biodiversity of volcanic and coral islands.
• Chance encounters with marine and island wildlife.
• Meet, share stories and trade with local Melanesian families.
• Seek out new deserted island campsites every night.
• Visit island villages and homesteads.
• Support a sustainable tourism initiative.
• Experience the positive effect of low-impact travel.

What our teams say

“Thank you so much for putting this trip together. To be honest, I am searching for words that describe this incredible trip and the great experiences we made with the locals as well as with nature itself.  Over the whole trip we felt safe and secure, we had the right amount of workload for body and mind, and we will keep these 3 weeks forever in our memories!” – Lucas Mertens, 2019 bespoke teammate

Sea Kayaking Frontier

Strung out over 160km between the Solomon and Coral Seas stretches a chain of ten volcanic islands and 90 coral islands collectively known as the Louisiades Archipelago. During this expedition we’ll explore the The Samarai Islands which make up part of the larger Louisiade Archipelago. While photographs present a picture perfect paradise, don’t be fooled, these islands are as wild and rugged as they are beautiful and offer little sanctuary from the beating sun and tropical weather systems which sweep the region.

Providing an immersive experience with low impact on the surrounding environment, sea kayaks are the ideal craft to navigate this diverse and thriving ecosystem. Hard shell kayaks can not be transported to this region, so for this adventure your craft will be a state-of-the-art inflatable two-person sea kayak, which is not only easily transportable but tough and easy to paddle too.

Cultural Exchange with Island Communities

Living in close synchrony with their ocean environment, the Melanesian people of these South Pacific islands are among the friendliest you’ll ever meet. Quick to instigate a meeting, you’ll likely be met with fresh local produce to trade for fishing gear and other hard to acquire supplies.

Visitors – especially ones who arrive in brightly coloured inflatable kayaks – are so few and far between you’ll be the subject of much intrigue, especially among children.

Marine Biodiversity

The reefs fringing the islands of this archipelago are some of the best preserved coral ecosystems left on Earth. Beneath the surface, coral constructs shelving reef systems which support a myriad of life and protect the calmer shoreline waters inside of them. Beyond them, larger species roam the deep blue expanse, including sea turtles, mantas, swordfish and reef sharks to name just a few. Paddling across these open waters, you’ll have the opportunity to trail a line from your kayak to catch supper for yourself and the team.

Sustainable Tourism Development

The communities here have a history steeped in trade and as travelling visitors, our journey provides us with opportunity to exchange goods with settlements, villages and schools throughout the islands. This low-impact approach will not only help individual families, but by sharing out our supplies and paying for small souvenirs such as wood carvings and shell jewellery, our visit will offer an alternative income to the lucrative practices of sea cucumber farming and shark finning – activities known to be practiced in the region to support the communities.