South Pacific & Asia
Myanmar
The south coast of Myanmar (Burma) stretches for over 1900 km along the Bay of Bengal and into the Andaman Sea. The Merguli Archipelago is in the far south on the Western shore of the Malay Peninsular, near the border with Thailand. The Merguli Islands are a tropical paradise that have remained relatively untraveled. Paddle alongside towering granite and limestone cliffs, through deep azure water with stunning white sandy beaches around every corner. Drift alongside of the dense wall of tropical rain forest that cloaks the islands, looking out for dolphins, whales and dugongs. A spectacular underwater world awaits teaming with fish and stunning corals; perfect for snorkeling. Paddle inside deep sea caves and delight at the colours and sounds of the tropics.
Indonesia
New Guinea is divided into two halves, Papua New Guinea in the east and West Papua, a region of Indonesia in the west. It’s on the north-west tip of West Papua that the approximately 1500 islands that make up Raja Ampat are situated. The area is untouched and unknown, abounding in pristine tropical beaches, sapphire seas, exotic bird life and one of the world’s most spectacular marine habitats. Using a traditional sailing vessel as our floating home base, we’ll explore the islands by kayak, visiting areas, quite possibly, where no others have paddled before.
Australia
Hinchinbrook Island, Goold Island and the Family Islands are continental islands located off the tropical coast between Ingham and Tully in North Queensland. With granite peaks rising 1142 metres directly out of the sea, Hinchinbrook Island is a magnificent backdrop for sea kayaking. Waterfalls, tropical rainforests, precipitous headlands, coral reefs and secluded beaches are among the island’s treasures.
Fiji
Fiji is an island nation comprised of 322 islands spread over 230,000 square kilometers. The Yasawa group is a chain of 16 islands located north-west of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. We spend our time in the Yasawas kayaking between islands, camping on isolated beaches, snorkelling the coral reefs and staying in small native villages getting to know the friendly locals. Southern Sea Ventures started paddling trips in the Yasawa Islands 25 years ago and they still remain one of our favourite destinations.
Tonga
On our Tonga sea kayak expeditions we strive for a healthy balance between relaxation and adventure. We generally paddle in the mornings, leaving the afternoons free for snorkeling amidst colourful coral or inside legendary marine caves, exploring lush tropical bush and observing the traditional village lifestyle. We spend our evenings on deserted beaches beneath waving palms and the Southern Cross, bathed by warm South Pacific breezes.
Philippines – Palawan
The volcanic Philippines are a cluster of more than 7000 islands lying north of the Malay Peninsula in South East Asia. The narrow archipelago of Palawan province is located between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, the third largest island in the Philippines. Dubbed the ‘Last Frontier’ because of the thousands of kilometers of unexplored forests and coastlines, Palawan province has been designated as a fish and wildlife sanctuary since 1967, preserving the incredible biodiversity of the area. Using a local Bangka boat as a support vessel, paddlers will explore the islands, villages and incredible reefs that abound in this amazing archipelago.
Louisiades
The Louisiade Archipelago is located between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Geographically isolated, it is part of Melanesia on the border of the Coral Sea and the Solomon sea. Forty-five island atolls make up the Calvados chain, each with its own unique coral reef and lagoon. This is a true kayak expedition to the outer edge where a subsistence trading culture prevails and travel by dugouts, sailing outriggers and kayaks is the norm. Exceptionally diverse marine ecosystems with vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish make up this remote paddling playground.
Melanesia
The islands of Melanesia reach from Papua New Guinea in the west to Fiji in the east. Culturally and geographically distinctive with 1300 languages, exotic birdlife and pristine coral reefs, the opportunities for remote sea kayaking are unparalleled. Working with Heritage Expeditions aboard Spirit of Enderby, we discover hidden gems on three different voyages, exploring the coastlines and remote islands of Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and Vanuatu.