North-west of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, the Yasawas string sixteen volcanic islands across a turquoise lagoon threaded with coral reefs and white-sand beaches—paddling country, through and through. On this trip we arrive in style, flying in by helicopter over the reef before spending six nights working our way south along the chain, staying at three island resorts. Days are shaped by the water: three to four hours of sea kayaking most days, mixed with snorkeling over vibrant reefs, beachcombing, and short walks, always at a pace the whole group can keep. Along the way, the warm “bula” greetings from local islanders are as much a part of this trip as the paddling itself.
This eight-day sea kayaking trip threads through the Yasawa Islands, a chain of sixteen volcanic islands north-west of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. After a night in Nadi and a helicopter flight in over the reef, we spend six nights working our way south along the island chain, paddling three to four hours most days and mixing in snorkeling, swimming, and short walks along the way. We stay at three island resorts, finishing with two nights on Drawaqa Island, where manta rays are often spotted feeding just offshore. Professional kayak guides lead throughout, with a support boat on hand for the whole journey.
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Not included:
In order to join this Yasawa Islands sea kayaking tour, good fitness is required, along with confidence in the water—sea kayaking here is comparable to brisk walking or cycling, and everyone’s expected to feel confident swimming. Paddling days typically run three to four hours, mixed with snorkeling, swimming, and some walking, and the group always moves at the pace of its slowest member.
Some prior paddling experience is useful, though not required—if you’ve never paddled a sit-in kayak before, it’s worth arranging a lesson before the trip. It’s also a good idea to start some regular exercise, like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, in the weeks beforehand, since the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the paddling. Keep in mind that conditions can vary with the weather; in windier stretches, some days may call for a full day of paddling.
There’s a 15 kg (33 lb) weight limit on the helicopter transfer, so pack light. All your gear should fit into about half a large garbage bag. Anything you don’t need while kayaking is stored on Tavewa Island and moved between resorts by boat.
Clothing & gear:
Medical & personal items:
Optional:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Fiji has three official languages—Fijian, Hindi, and English—so it’s a good idea to learn a few Fijian words before you go; before long, you’ll be saying “bula” to everyone you meet. When visiting a village, cover up with a sulu or sarong, avoid wearing hats or swimwear off the beach, and remove your shoes before entering a Fijian hut. A little courtesy goes a long way, and it’s always worth asking before photographing locals.
Group sizes and pricing:
Min. age requirements:
The price for this Yasawa Islands sea kayaking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. Leave a note at checkout if interested.
The starting point of your Yasawa Islands sea kayaking tour is Nadi, Fiji. To get there, most people fly into Nadi International Airport (NAN), Fiji’s main international gateway. If you’re arriving on an international flight, the group hotel provides a free airport shuttle.
You will meet your guide at 8 pm at your first night’s hotel in Nadi. Room check-in is available from 2 pm, and if your flight lands after 6 pm, please let us know in advance.
The trip ends at Denarau Marina in Nadi around 6 pm on Day 8. Accommodation and transfers that night aren’t included. If you’d like to extend your stay in the islands, contact us at least six weeks before departure so the return boat can be rebooked (a surcharge may apply).
Having insurance is mandatory for this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
To enter Fiji, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay and have at least one blank page. You’ll also need a return or onward ticket and a confirmed address in Fiji—your first night’s hotel is enough for this. Travelers from over 100 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK, and most of Europe, can enter Fiji visa-free for up to 120 days. Check the Fijian Ministry of Immigration for full details.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
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Is it possible to give 6 stars? There is no possible way to pick out one single highlight of this trip, as there were so many, every day. Of course the location is amazing, but the experience of seeing it all from sea level, with our brilliant guides made it all the more astounding.