From the first stroke, the aim of this epic expedition is to paddle to Panasia, a limestone anomaly on the western reaches of the Calvados island chain within 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.
Why you'll love this adventure
- 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.
- Seek out new deserted island campsites every night.
- Visit island schools and villages while supporting a sustainable tourism initiative.
Dates
Itinerary
There are over 100 islands in the Louisiades Archipelago, so the day-to-day plan will remain dynamic in accordance with the team’s progress and weather conditions. A fuller itinerary is provided in the handbook which is available on request or upon application to join the team.
What's included
- Professional trip operator expedition leader with full communications and medical kits.
- All meals.
- All transport as from arrival on Misima Island to departure from Misima Island.
- All specialist and safety equipment (incl. two person kayaks).
- All accommodation including tents.
- Trading goods for food and water supplies.
Not included
- International and Domestic flights.
- Travel insurance (obligatory).
- Local airport taxes.
- Visas.
- Tips to local guides (discretionary but always appreciated).
- Meals, beverages and alcoholic drinks outside the stated itinerary.
- Personal equipment (your Handbook will contain a kit list).
- Any accommodation or transport outside of the itinerary.
- Souvenirs or items of a personal nature.
Trip notes
Price
Who is this trip for?
You don’t need to have any experience of paddling or sea kayaking but we recommend at least a taster session to find out if you enjoy it. Our guides are fully qualified to instruct you in all the basic paddling strokes and are there to help develop the skills you need, but a rough idea of how your body might react to long days on the water is certainly an advantage.
Teammates who arrive without meeting the agreed minimum fitness requirements can jeopardise themselves and the expedition’s goal so do take training seriously, prepare as appropriate and arrive fit and ready to go!
Teammates must be comfortable with the following:
- Daily activity: kayaking for up to 6 hours per day.
- Paddle: up to 20km a day.
- Swim: confidently in open water.
- Climate: a warm, humid tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 25 – 30˚C.
Additional notes
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. 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.
Tour operator
When it comes to getting off the beaten track these guys can’t be beaten. They lead pioneering expeditions to some of the most remote regions on earth. The organisers are dedicated to creating imaginative experiences for adventurers around the world and their team of expert military guides are some of the most experienced in the industry. Nowhere is off limits and no idea is too crazy. They have achieved ground breaking world firsts such as mountain biking in Afghanistan and mountaineering in Iraq and their first ever expeditions to walk across Madagascar and pioneer white water rafting in South Sudan both made the headlines…. and a bit of history.
Being wild and wacky is one thing but with their background as commanders in the British Army and experienced team of specialists in every kind of terrain and environment means that all of their adventures are thoroughly planned and the safety and security of teams is always their highest priority. Expeditions can be inherently risky, but they do everything possible to minimise potential hazards and for that, and the utterly extraordinary trips they put on, we salute them.
Enquire today
Papua New Guinea: Paddle to Panasia
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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