Final Payments
All Final Payments are required at least 2 months prior to departure. This helps us deal with ‘Solomon Time’, so we can effectively prepare and organize ourselves. All Payments made are fully refunded (Deposit withheld), up until 2 months prior to departure. After this date we cannot refund deposit of x%.
We rearrange schedules, however, please understand that there are other surfers that have booked their dream surf trips and have preference.
Destination
The Isabel camp is located near the main village Kia, Northern Isabel. You will need an international flight Brisbane Honiara/Munda and domestic flight Honiara /Munda Suavanao. There is nothing at Suavanao besides an airstrip, we will meet you there in our boat to transport you North along the coastal islands, about an hour away.
Weather delays?
Suavanao is WWII (upgraded recently) grass airstrip and sometimes flights are cancelled due to rain. You may be delayed a day or two on your return home. Travel insurance should cover any extra costs.
What to Bring: ·
What to Expect:
The Surf:
Accommodation:
Code of Conduct:
Liability:
Privacy Policy
If you have any further enquires or have something to add please contact [email protected] or cell phone if you in Honiara call (+677)7488954 for assistance.
Ultimately this is your adventure, your journey, we will do our utmost to make it enjoyable, comfortable, safe and free flowing. We can customise any personalised requests and respect your ideas and intentions at all times. Individuality is precious and your choice of daily activity is yours, Fortune favours the brave. Enjoy…………..
All Final Payments are required at least 2 months prior to departure. This helps us deal with ‘Solomon Time’, so we can effectively prepare and organize ourselves. All Payments made are fully refunded (Deposit withheld), up until 2 months prior to departure. After this date we cannot refund deposit of x%.
We rearrange schedules, however, please understand that there are other surfers that have booked their dream surf trips and have preference.
Destination
The Isabel camp is located near the main village Kia, Northern Isabel. You will need an international flight Brisbane Honiara/Munda and domestic flight Honiara /Munda Suavanao. There is nothing at Suavanao besides an airstrip, we will meet you there in our boat to transport you North along the coastal islands, about an hour away.
Weather delays?
Suavanao is WWII (upgraded recently) grass airstrip and sometimes flights are cancelled due to rain. You may be delayed a day or two on your return home. Travel insurance should cover any extra costs.
What to Bring: ·
- Bring everything you need – there are no shops, banks etc. Go to the bank/ ATM before leaving Honiara
- A little shop in Kia sells a small range of necessities and a little fishing tackle and beer.
- Make sure your passport is not due to expire within next 6 months, and all flights are pre-booked in and out of The Solomons. A visa is granted upon arrival
- Printed copies of important docs like passport, insurance, travel details
- Spare Solomon Island dollars in good condition to buy local art and craft, use as gift for sharing cultural activities, and for unique circumstances.
- Travel insurance is virtually essential
- Personal basic medical kit, your personal medications, plus things you usually find useful, ie…Allergy relief, laxatives, diarrhoea medicine, panadol forte, eye drops, stop itch, hydrogen peroxide, elastoplast/bandaids, multivitamins, powdered energy drink etc. Ask a doctor for a tropical ointment for coral wounds and a broad-spectrum antibiotic before you leave. You can be a couple of days away from hospital care.
- Malaria prevention – Some people use a Chinese Herbal Malaria blend (Qing Hao – Artemisia annua). There is another Chinese herbal tablet script that works wonders if illness develops, the herb again is Artemisia annua. Some people take doxycycline. Mosquito repellent with 30% deet. Don’t worry about malaria, preparation and precaution are the major factors in avoiding the sickness. in the village, catching malaria is unknown to this date.
- Water bottle for boat trips - fresh spring water available at the village
- Dry bag for items to keep from seawater - phone, camera...
- a few pairs of boardies, few shirts, hat, socks, thongs, 1 pair closed hiking shoes ( wear on plane to save weight)
- Some warm clothes, it can get cool, after rain or during wind. Thick wetsuit rash shirts are great for this
- Wet weather jacket, might rain for days sometimes so prepare for life in the rain
- Sunscreen, Aloe Vera
- Sunglasses, polarised work best
- Fishing gear, spear gun, lures, hooks etc
- Snorkeling gear
- Good books, dice, cards
- Camera – (there is access to 240v and basic solar for charging small batteries off 12v. Plugs are same as Australian)
- Hammock
- Ear plugs
- Torch, headlamps are very useful. Make sure your batteries are the best you can get, or USB rechargeable
- Mobile phone and USB charging cable. Telstra should work using International roaming. Other networks I’d assume would work also. Mobile reception and internet is only available near the main village of Kia, so at the camp you are off the grid!
- Pocketknife – Invaluable
- Tools, western spare clothes, school pens, coloured pencils, reading books, thongs, straw hats, old sunglasses etc are great trading items for your new Solomon Island friends (frens).
- Any trash you bring you should take home with you. This is a pristine wilderness and no rubbish disposal!
What to Expect:
- Before you leave have a look through http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au/
- Solomons can be dangerous, it’s remote and alive with creepy crawling insects, sharks, crocodiles in nearby rivers, and the weather can turn quickly. Malaria is the most common problem
- Cuts and wounds especially on the feet heal slowly here, make sure you are healthy and prepared for these situations.
- It’s HOT!
- Be careful with any electronic gear, ensure its protected from heat, moisture and impact
- Mosquitoes are few at Kagata
- The Solomons runs on “Solomon time” – There can be delays, misunderstandings etc, so be prepared and well organised for these situations
The Surf:
- Bring 1 or 2 boards each, make sure they are packed safe and protected, preferably finless. Sometimes boards do not get on the internal flights, if this happens try to at least take one out of your bag for the plane, and leave the other/s in bag to arrive ASAP. Surfers are encouraged to leave any boards not valuable at the camp to build up the collection for future surfers suffering board loss for whatever reason.
- Clearly label your boards with your name and home address. If they do not get on the small plane flight from Suavanao, they will be returned to your home address.
- Other surf related items can be left also like wax, leg ropes, combs, fins, etc as there are no surf shops at the camp.
- Surf hats are invaluable. Travel is in open boats.
- Booties, sun/rash shirt
- Leg ropes, tropical wax, wax comb, fin key, spare fins ( easy to break them on the reef)
- basic board repair kit
- Gath helmet
- Follow safety instructions at all times, there can be strong currents, winds and sharp corals
Accommodation:
- Accommodation is in locally made timber/leaf pole houses built off the ground, safe, and secure, overlooking the lagoon. Set just off to the side of the village, it is private.
- Shared flush toilet & shower ( with shower rose )
- The girls will prepare fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner. You won’t go hungry, tell them what your favourite foods are and they will do their best to look after you…Organic fruit is mouthwatering, will keep you healthy, and keeps you cool. Just let them know when you arrive if you are more vegetarian inclined so they can arrange more fruits and vegetables if required.
- Vegans, the only non fish protein sources usually are rice, taro, sweet potato, cassava, bananas, coconuts. Talk to the Kagata team about your needs before coming, but maybe also bring some peanut butter, pulses, beans, nuts, oatmeal, protein powder etc with you as they are not easily obtainable.
Code of Conduct:
- Saturdays (from sundown on Friday) are considered a holy day for many of the locals, the Sabbath according to the 7 Day Adventists. Please respect this. There are other people who can drive the boat and cook for you, but other work will not be done.
- Please respect the environment and the people
- Conserve water
- If you bring alcohol, do not consume alcohol on the Sabbath, and always drink in moderation so as not to offend
- Always ensure your own and others safety, be mindful of your actions and careful. There are sharks, crocodiles, malaria, stone fish, poisonous shells and sometimes jellyfish, small ants bite HARD!
- A relaxed happy attitude is your best traveling companion in the Solomon Islands
- Modest dress is encouraged and light cotton recommended all year around. Bikinis should be reserved for swimming in the sea/rivers. When visiting villages, women should ensure their attire covers below their knees, as most local women do not wear shorts or pants. Modesty is more an act of courtesy by visitors, especially out of Honiara in the rural villages or when bushwalking.
Liability:
- Kagata Village does not accept any liability of any nature, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for the acts, omission or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control. We do not accept any liability in contract, tort or under wise for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expense, inconvenience or loss of enjoyment caused directly or unavoidably indirectly or any other event which is beyond our control & which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part. Neither Kagata Village nor any of its representatives accepts any responsibility for oceanic occurrences or climatic conditions that do not match your expectations or are beyond your capabilities. All activities engaged in are solely at your own risk and of your own choice.
Privacy Policy
- Kagata Village is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. Kagata Village will not pass on any of your details to a third party unless you authorise us to do so.
If you have any further enquires or have something to add please contact [email protected] or cell phone if you in Honiara call (+677)7488954 for assistance.
Ultimately this is your adventure, your journey, we will do our utmost to make it enjoyable, comfortable, safe and free flowing. We can customise any personalised requests and respect your ideas and intentions at all times. Individuality is precious and your choice of daily activity is yours, Fortune favours the brave. Enjoy…………..
