South Pacific Itinerary
Photo Credit: Kim Powell
Detailed Itinerary
15 Day Adventure To The South Pacific
The following is a detailed itinerary which outlines most of the daily activities we are planning to offer during our South Pacific Adventure. The order in which we enjoy these experiences may change. As with any eco-adventure program, the itinerary is dependent upon weather conditions, wildlife activity, logistical considerations and the specific interests of the group.
Day One: En route to Fiji
Our adventure begins in Nadi, the Capital of Fiji on August 7th. This requires that you depart your USA mainland airport on August 5th. Traveling by shuttle bus along the Coral Coast we will arrive at the beautiful beach front Crusoe’s Resort where we base for the next 5 nights. Our shuttle may take up to three hours depending upon traffic so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Crusoe’s Resort is known for magnificent sunsets exploding with color across the South Pacific. It is located next to the village of Namaqumaqua. (Double occupancy rooms, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner included for five nights).
Day Two~ Rafting~Hiking~Waterfalls, Crusoe’s Resort on the Coral Coast
We have a magnificent day planned in The South Pacific. As we travel to our destination, we will pass by local Fijian communities for approximately one hour. After meeting our Fijian river outfitter, we will board both motorized long canoes and bamboo rafts, the traditional mode of transportation among the Fijians, as will explore the lush tropical scenery of the Navua River. Hiking through a dense forest we reach the spectacular Magic Waterfalls, plunging several 100 feet into a deep pool. The hike is less than a mile with slight elevation gain. Join your Blue Water Ventures Naturalist as we search for the Nopili Goby, a tiny saltwater fish species that migrates up freshwater rivers to mate and literally climbs waterfalls. Our day will include visiting a Fijian Village where the locals will share a cultural presentation and the history of Kava
Day Three ~ Exploring The Coral Coast~Snorkel Adventure
Today we will explore Fiji’s spectacular Coral Coast. Boating through an intricate mangrove forest system near Crusoe’s Resort, we will learn about the ecology of this critical marine habitat. Our day will include an introduction to snorkeling as we prepare for our upcoming aquatic adventures. From our resort. we may explore miles of beaches or visit the local village of Namaqumaqua. As you stroll the beach, the local community members are often found harvesting from the sea providing a meal for their families as well as income. Expect another great evening at Crusoe’s Resort where the Fijian staff may offer festive evening activities.
Day Four~ Snorkeling~Kayaking Beqa Island ~ On the Coral Coast
Today we will travel to Pacific Harbor to meet our local guides, less than an hour from our resort along the coral coast. Our destination is a beautiful mangrove forest in Beqa Island where our kayaks will glide through a complex ecological system. Birding is excellent as the intricate mangrove foliage provides critical habitat for an array of bird species as well as “flying foxes”, the noticeably large bats found in both Fiji and Tonga. Clinging to the submerged mangrove roots are an array of cryptically colored invertebrates. Our day will include snorkeling and beachcombing along this stunning archipelago in the South Pacific. We will return to the comforts of the Crusoe’s Resort in the late afternoon. Tonight we may return to the village of Namaqumaqua for Kava, a cultural opportunity not to be missed.]
Day Five ~ Snorkeling~Village & School Visit~ Crusoe’s Resort on the Coral Coast
Join us for an intertidal beach exploration after breakfast. Miles of sandy beaches stretch along the Coral Coast in front of our resort. In the early morning, the local Fijians are often found fishing, repairing nets or collecting edibles by hand from the sea. During the Global Pandemic, the villagers shared how grateful they were to have such rich marine resources, as well as land to harvest their ground provisions. Our day will be spent based at Crusoe’s Resort where a variety of activities will be offered such as beachcombing, snorkeling, hiking and cultural activities including a lesson in Fijian cooking! Among the activities we may offer today is learning the traditional method of fishing using a hand line as well an a spear pole. Our day will include a visit to the local school in the village of Namaqumaqua.
For those who would like to hike the forest, we can hire a local guide to share their knowledge of medicinal plants found in the jungly terrain. For certified divers, we suggest arranging a soft coral dive that the Fijian waters are noted for. More details at the More Info Page.
Day Six: En Route to Tonga
Relax by the pool, arrange a massage in the village with “Mary” or at the resort or beachcomb before we catch our shuttle back to the Nadi International Airport for our flight to Tonga. We have secured a hotel close to the Nuku‘alofa Fua’Amotu International Airport in Tonga as we await our next adventure.
Day Seven~ Matafonua Lodge, Ha’apai Island Group
Our domestic flight departs Nakualofa, Tongatapu for the Ha’apai Island group at several early morning departures on August 13th. Our destination is stunning, a true tropical paradise. Matafonua Lodge is situated at the far end of Foa Island. The resort is renown for its long stretches of white sandy beaches lined with lush coconut trees and coral gardens just offshore from our cabanas. British ex-pats Darren and Nina Rice who manage the resort are raising their children surrounded by sun, sand and whales.
Their fascinating story and superb photography can be reviewed here: Island Life. Your afternoon will be free to relax, nap and enjoy our magical island paradise which we will call home for the next 7 nights ( (quad occupancy cabanas, continental breakfast and dinners included for the next 7 nights). Please review the description of accommodations here: More Info
During our stay in Tonga, we hope to have another taste of Kava, a long standing ritual among the Tongan and Fijian cultures although each culture has its unique practices around Kava. Whether you sample the Kava or not, we highly recommend that you join us for this incredibly unique cultural opportunity. The Tongan women and men who work at Matafonua Lodge have organized a very special evening to welcome us to their home on Foa Island.
Photo Credit: Kim Powell
Day Eight~ Whale Watch Snorkel Excursion ~Matafonua Lodge~Ha’apai Island Group
Today we will continue to explore an array of marine resources that abound in the Tongan waters. Just steps away from our cabanas exists a flourishing coral reef ecosystem that supports an array of species such as hawksbill sea turtles, Spanish dancers, leopard sharks and massive corals.
Join us in the water as your Blue Water Ventures naturalists share their knowledge of coral reef ecology and the behaviors of reef fish. Our day will feature our first chance to observe and possibly snorkel with humpback whales! Patiently, we wait to slip into the turquoise blue water as we hope for an extraordinary encounter with a marine mammal that may exceed 50 feet in length and weigh 80,000 pounds. People have described this experience as life altering.
Day Nine~ Whale Watch Snorkel Excursion, Matafonua Lodge ~ Ha’apai Island Group
Today we will offer another chance to swim among the humpback whales and their offspring. We have also made arrangements to visit the local elementary school where we can donate school supplies brought from the States. Such gestures are greatly appreciated as supplies are very limited. The children are always excited to meet us and may share songs, games and curriculum. Tonight we will offer a night walk to discover what nocturnal species are active in the darkness.
Today we will continue to explore an array of marine resources that abound in the Tongan waters. Just steps away from our cabanas exists a flourishing coral reef ecosystem that supports an array of species such as hawksbill sea turtles, Spanish dancers, leopard sharks and massive corals.
Nellie Exploring Ha’apai, Photo Credit: Kim Powell
Day Ten~ Whale Watch Snorkel Excursion ~Matafonua Lodge~Ha’apai Island Group
Today, we plan to offer a guided exploration of the intertidal world a few steps away from our accommodations. Join your naturalist as we walk the beaches exploring the rich invertebrate life that flourishes in the South Pacific. Hiding in rocky nooks and crannies we may find sea cucumbers, brittle stars, ribbon worms and colorful nudibranchs. Later today we may drop our hydrophone into the water to listen to the melodious song of the male humpback whales, known for their complex singing performed mostly in the breeding grounds. As always, we hope to find humpback whales that are receptive to an in water encounter with us.
Pregnant Humpback whales give birth to a single calf every 2-3 years in the protected lagoons of Tonga with the Ha’apai region known as a nursery area.
Swimming among the humpback whales is highly regulated with only 4 people and a guide permitted near a whale at a time. Each day that we swim, we will offer a morning session for 1/2 our group and and an afternoon session for the other 1/2 of our group, taking turns as we share the experience. During your down time, your Blue Water Ventures naturalist will offer snorkeling, beach combing, hiking or kayaking. Matafouna Lodge is a wonderful place to simply be. Tonight we will offer an interpretive slide show reviewing the ecology and behavior of humpback whales and the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Photo Credit: Kim Powell
Day Eleven~Church~Snorkeling and a Tongan Feast, Matafonua Lodge ~Ha’apai Island Group
Sunday is considered a sacred day in Tongan culture with no guided whale watching legacy permitted. Your morning will be free to relax around our island home. Our guides never miss an opportunity to walk through the village and attend one of the local churches known for their elaborate singing, a true cultural encounter.
Later in the day, bikes are available for use and a magnificent beach worth exploring is near by. Our day may include learning how to prepare the traditional Tongan feast prepared in an Umu, an underground oven. This experience may also be offered later in the week. Your Blue Water Ventures Guides are always available to lead an interpretive snorkeling trip discussing the delicate ecology of coral reefs.
Day Twelve~ Whale Watch Snorkel Excursion~Cultural Day, Matafonua Lodge~Ha’apai Island Group
Our day will include another opportunity to observe humpback whales from above and below water. Over the years, we have encountered a variety of cetaceans, the order of marine mammals that include both the baleen filter feeding whales and the toothed whales. False killer whales and spinner dolphins among other species of cetaceans, are known to roam the Tongan waters. On the cultural front, we have arranged an opportunity to learn the art of Tongan weaving, You may join the women of Faleloa Village as they share this ancient ritual.
Day Thirteen ~ Whale Watch Snorkel Excursion Matafonua Lodge~Ha’apai Island Group
We will offer our final whale watch and hopeful swim today among the mighty whales. Humpback Whales are the most acrobatic of the baleen whales. Positioned in our skiffs we can watch for behaviors such as breaching, tail lobbing, pectoral and tail slapping.
With their eyes located on the side of their heads, Humpback Whales are known to spy hop. Raising much of their head out of the water they are able to look around or view snorkelers with their eye just below the water’s surface. Each day we will discover that the level of interaction is entirely up to the whales. Every day in Tonga is uniquely different and some days viewing is best done above water than from below.
With 5 days of whale watching and swimming planned, we hope that everyone has an unforgettable encounter with the benevolent humpback whales.
Photo Credit: Kim Powell
Day Fourteen~ Back to Tongatapu
After our last morning in paradise, we will catch a flight back to Tongatapu where we will overnight and have a final farewell dinner. Join us pool side as recap the highlights of our adventure together in the South Pacific.
Day Fifteen~ Island Tour~Homeward Bound
This morning, you may choose to relax by the pool or join us or a compelling tour of The Kingdom of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu. Rich in cultural history and its own natural beauty we will tour the island before catching our international flights back home. Traveling to the village of Kolovai, we will enjoy one of the best viewing areas for the sacred “Flying F0xes” These impressive fruit bats have a wing span of 2-3 feet and are considered property of the King of Tonga granting them full protection. Passing through the village of Houma we will see the impressive natural blow holes of Mapu a Vaea or “Whistle of the Noble”. Our travels will take us by the Royal Palace and we will also see where Captain Cook first landed in Tonga in 1777 during his third voyage through the South Pacific. By mid afternoon, we will make our way to the Fua’amotu International Airport to begin our final journey home.
Swim Back to the South Pacific
Blue Water Ventures
Naturalist-led field trips and adventures. We specialize in sea kayaking field trips for schools and adventures for women in the Monterey Bay, Baja, Belize, Tonga and beyond.
