Choose Your Activity

• Canoeing & Kayaking
• Dive Packages
• Island Hopping
• Liveaboard Diving
• Snorkeling

Choose Where You Sleep

• Uepi Island Resort

Choose where you sleep

• Uepi Island Resort

Expeditions

Kayak expeditions throughout the Marovo & Nono Lagoons will be tailored to suit each group of kayakers level of expertise and fitness, your interests and length of time available. A normal day will involve approximately 3-4 hours of actual paddling, interspersed with some R & R stops for refreshment, snorkelling & photographic opportunities.

A good level of general health & fitness is required. Whilst each day has its objectives the paddling style is `touring' not racing. The emphasis is to see, experience & enjoy all that is on offer, within a relaxed time frame. More advanced paddlers may wish to make it more physically challenging.

Each kayaking expedition begins and ends at Uepi Island Resort (3 nights minimum). The first full day will be spent at Uepi and kayakers will have plenty of time to achieve the following:

• Meet the Solomon Island Kayak Guide.
• Familiarisation with kayaks & equipment.
• Familiarisation with safety procedures & equipment.
• Participate in a trial kayak trip and review skills.
• Familiarisation with area maps and navigation.
• Introduction to Solomon Island people, culture, customs and natural history.
• Assist in the finalisation of a detailed itinerary and schedule.
• Relax and enjoy Uepi.

The expedition commences on the second full day.

Equipment provided includes:

• Perception 'Sea Lion' kayaks (singles).
• Lifejackets (PFD) designed for paddling kayaks.
• Paddles - alloy shaft, plastic blades, right handed.
• Multi-fit neoprene spray skirts.
• Deck bags & dry storage bags.
• Silva 85 compasses & area maps.
• Torches, signal mirrors & first aid kits.
• Camp cooking equipment (for lunches).
• Dehydrated foods for lunches (if required).
• Water bladders.
• Masks, fins, snorkels (good quality).

Newly introduced to the fleet of single kayaks is one Eco-Tandem double kayak. Perception 'Sea Lion' kayaks are internationally recognised as top quality sea kayaks at the forefront of kayak development. Made from modern durable roto-plastic material they provide outstanding stability, manoeuvrability, comfort & ease of paddling. Designed specifically for extended ocean touring, they incorporate large convenient storage lockers, ample deck straps, adjustable rudder controls, comfortable seats & padding, easy cockpit entry, low wind effect hull, high response to paddling techniques, amongst other advanced design features. "Just add Water".

EXPEDITION ACCOMMODATION
Expeditions are fully catered and the accommodation is provided by local Solomon Island individuals or community groups who have set up Eco-Lodges. Each one of these eco-tourism lodges has achieved a specified standard and they provide:

• Beds with mattresses and pillow and pillow slips.
• Bed sheets, some provide towels.
• Mosquito nets.
• Refrigerator (1).
• Flush toilet (communal, at least 1).
• Communal shower (at least 1).
• Catering for three meals.
• Radio communications.
• Access to boat transport.
• Kerosene lamps

The Eco-Lodges are positioned in some of the most beautiful parts of the Marovo Lagoon and they are operated by people who understand the need to maintain standards for health and safety reasons. The Eco-Lodges are built from 'bush materials'; leaf roofs and walls, wooden floors, matting internal walls. They are all raised (high set) and are set on or over the water, or are immediately adjacent in a tropical garden.

A larger communal building/deck is used for relaxation and meals. Toilets and showers are detached and communal. Meals are 'island style' which are prepared from locally available fish, fruit and vegetables. The meals are of generous proportions and are tasty and nutritious, great for paddlers. The tropical paw-paw (papaya), bananas, pineapples and other fruits are outstanding. The water supply is either rainwater or fresh from a mountain stream.

The lodges offer cultural and other activities, including.

• Swimming, snorkelling
• Bush-walks, bird watching, crocodile spotting, coconut crab walks
• Local produce markets, craft & carving markets
• Custom plants & medicines
• Cultural villages, historical sites, stone forts, tambu sites
• Head hunting skulls, graves, legends
• WW11 aircraft crash sites
• Songs & dances, stories
• Fishing or gathering

Morovo Lagoon expedition rates, per person per night:

Marovo Lagoon Eco Lodges

MATIKURI LODGE
Matikuri Lodge on Matikuri Island, off the west coast of Vangunu island is owned and operated by Benjamin Kaniotoku and his wife Jilly. Located inshore from Hele Bar this remote Eco-Lodge has a large dining & entertainment deck which extends out over the water & is often used by Jilly to catch a fresh fish for dinner, moments before she cooks it. The meals are outstanding island cuisine.

The three leaf-house bungalows are well separated, over water, each with a balcony with superb views of the surrounding waters and other islands. Catch a squid for dinner from your balcony!

Matikuri is suitable for 3 or more days kayaking, returning to Matikuri each night, or it can be an overnight venue. Nearby freshwater rivers, easy boat access to a nearby village, accessible open ocean reefs and other stunning islands are some of the kayaking venues. Great snorkelling is accessible on the outer and lagoon reefs. An excellent spot to do some fishing.

Seldom will you experience such genuine hospitality - Matikuri and it's owners are totally delightful.

ROGOSAKENA LODGE
On Vangunu Island. A beautifully built and comfortable waterfront lodge There is one leaf-house with two bedrooms. The lagoon views are fantastic, looking from the 'I never want to get up" verandah furniture, or the hammock, and even from your bed. The atmosphere at Rogosakena is especially private & quiet. The friendly staff are very attentive & provide very nice meals.  A perfect place to relax.

ROPIKO LODGE
Ropiko Lodge is located on the eastern seaward side of Gatokae Island, near Mbile Passage, on a small peninsular jutting into the ocean. The two larger leaf-houses & the smaller honeymoon leaf-house are nestled in the tropical garden near the water’s edge. The communal living area, incorporating the kitchen and dining area has a large deck overlooking a classical white sandy tropical beach.

The snorkelling on the coral reef immediately out from the beach is excellent. A nearby coral island provides a smaller inshore reef wave for surfers when the swell is up. Other outer reefs catch the full power of the SE swells.

Captive in the nearby jungle is a crashed WW11 Japanese BF 208. You can also visit the remains of a German sailing ship from the late 1800s. Bush-walking & bird watching are popular. Visit the custom village of Biche.

CUSTOM VILLAGE OF BICHE
A trip not to be missed is to the custom village of BICHE. Travel from Serere by boat on the open ocean past magnificent, vertical, jungle topped cliffs, with blue tropical waves curling over reefs to become swirling whitewater crashing into the cliff bases. Step onto a wave washed rock as the islanders expertly get you ashore at Biche.

Congratulate yourself on your bravery, only to be chastened as you watch the local kids put on the best display of dugout canoe surfing you will ever see, right before your eyes. An easy guided walk will open your eyes to the hardships of life in the old times. Childbirth, headhunting, sacrifice, skulls and tambu sites. Then a remarkable sight, the village stream is full of huge, writhing 'eelfish', an exceptional experience. Cooling waterfalls are nearby.

You can arrange to travel to Biche by boat by walking.

There is a small Lodge Letina Lodge at Biche and it is in radio contact with the other lodges, so you can arrange overnight stays if you wish to explore the culturally rich and beautiful area.

KAJORO SUNSET LODGE
Kajoro Sunset Lodge is operated by John Wayne and his family. John is legendary for his wood carvings. Kajoro is located on the edge of the main island of Vangunu, next to Telina Island Village, one of the best carving villages. From Kajoro, kayakers can visit many of the nearby islands and outer reef areas. Kajoro can be used as a base or as an overnight venue.

Enjoy 1 or 2 days hiking to a custom site in the mountainous area behind Kajoro Sunset Lodge. This must be pre- booked and arranged. Shorter walks are more relaxing and John or his son Waeno will explain all about the custom foods and materials in the surrounding jungle. Visit the Blue hole Cave or the Bat Cave on Matiu Island.

One accommodation leaf-house has been built at the waters edge, with the other nestled in the nearby tropical garden. The island style meals are enticing. Listen to custom stories & history. With a small stream nearby Kajoro Sunset Lodge is also a pleasant venue for a lazy day.

WILDERNESS LODGE
Situated lagoon-side by Peava village, Gatokae Island, at the southeastern tip of the Western Province, the wilderness lodge features traditional construction using sago palm leaf, wild bitalnat palm and village-sawn hardwood with exotic timber and pandanus mat interior. Catering for a maximum of six to eight guests, the lodge has been designed to meld the atmosphere of the Gatokae rainforest and ocean with the lifestyle of the neighbouring small village whilst retaining Western comforts and convenience.

Meals feature local organic produce and seafood, and traditional and Pacific themes with an accent on health. Satellite telephone available should you need to stay in touch. The lodge has a solar power system with 240V/110V inverter for charging cameras etc, wood-fired hot shower, and LPG refrigeration and cooking. A deepwater jetty provides walk-in boat access and easy swimming and snorkelling access with large, safe, swim steps.

There are also a variety of other local lodges or rest houses we can use depending in itinerary.