Louisiades Archipelago - Sea Kayak Expedition

These islands feel isolated, like a place time forgot. The native people still live in grass huts, relying on a subsistence lifestyle of fishing and farming. They travel by dugout canoe and sailing outriggers and are some of the friendliest people you could ever meet. If the charm of these people is not enough, the islands themselves offer just rewards for the adventurous traveller. The Louisiades is a remote island chain some 200km east of the Papua New Guinea mainland. Its geographical isolation has helped to preserve its rich Melanesian culture. 

In the eastern end of the archipelago the islands are larger and more volcanic geologically but as you travel west through the chain the islands shrink to idyllic little atolls surrounded with amazingly vibrant fringing reefs bordered by deep blue sea trenches. The Louisiades is rich and teeming with sea life from small colorful reef fish to large pelagic species and marine mammals.  

Region X is committed to sustainable and sensitive tourism development in these islands. The Calvados Islands have hardly been visited by tourists and some of the islands and villages have never had contact with westerners. Through small group conscientious travel we hope to minimise our impact and only have a positive influence on the local indigenous culture.  We believe that through Sea Kayak tourism, we can stimulate the development of aid projects which will help to supply essential basics like healthcare to the friendly people of the Louisiades. Through ongoing support in conjunction with the local community’s goals and desires we can help to improve living standards so that the fundamentals like education, healthcare and reliable drinking water are a mainstay within these beautiful communities.   

As idyllic as the islands might sound, this destination is remote and arguably one of the world’s last great sea kayaking frontiers. It is a true expedition and only for the adventurous soul. As a member of the expedition team you will be required to chip in and help out to make this expedition a success. 

If this sounds like you, then drop us a line for more information and an itinerary.