Island Hopping with
Dr. Steve Brown
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Host: Dr. Steve Brown When: Anytime of year is suitable to most. It's either all blue sky (and too sunny) or overcast (and too shaded). And if you don't like it either way, take a climb to 3000 and 6000 feet into the temperate zone where it is cooler. And if the tropical weather is not suitable, just move to the north-western rain shadows of each island for a drier climate.
Fee charged: For a full, all-on day of guiding and traveling to interesting places, the typical fee is $US137 per day per person, and that includes guiding, inter-island transport and equipment, food and accommodation. If you opt for a homestays on your own, that comes out to about $US20 per night, with local foods. If you stay with us and knock around on your own, that costs about $20 per day.
Program concept: Considerable attention is given to special interests, be they anthropology, archaeology, birdwatching, environment, gender and health issues, hiking, photography, sea kayaking, sustainable living, wildlife conservation and many more. The program concentrates on being intimately involved with the culture, overnighting in idyllic beachside locations, with constant exposure to traditional activities and alternative development opportunities. Visit both marine and terrestrial conservation areas set aside to protect Samoa's unique biodiversity: numerous endemic species being identified. Traditional villages, lonely beaches, mountain-top viewpoints, scenic waterfalls, rainforest canopy walkway, rugged lavafields, recent volcanoes (1911), lava tube caves, tropical plantations, national parks, conservation areas, Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, off-shore uninhabited bird-breeding islands, legendary sites and any traditional celebrations along the way. A fully-equipped support vehicle, complete with sea kayaks and reference materials, gets you from one great attraction to the next. Steve is also willing to introduce visitors to a wide variety of village projects, and actively encourages research in many different fields. People eventually leave Samoa saturated with firsthand experiences, homeward bound to digest them all. Overawed, overwhelmed, their expectations exceeded.  Background Notes The Samoan archipelago is volcanic in origin, with over 300 volcanic peaks reaching to 6000 feet: forested and spectacular. With over 300 coastal villages, 300 miles of rugged swimmable coastline, and 300 photo opportunities, visitors need only be mildly adventuresome. A malaria-free mid-Pacific island destination: take the Air New Zealand free stopover option (by far the cheapest way to fly to Samoa). ITINERARIES(1) 1-7Day LEGENDARY ECOTOUR: $USD267 per person per day (7 islands) (1-4 nights village stays & 1-3 nights at the legendary Aggie Grey's Hotel). Single room supplement at Aggies: $USD68/night. (1-15 PAX). (2) 1-7Day SAMOAN ISLAND-TO-ISLAND SAFARI: $USD167 per person per day (7 islands) (7 nights village stays only). (1-15 PAX) Cultural immersion in rural villages with every night in traditional Samoan fales, living with Samoans. (PS As featured in National Geographic Traveller and French Cosmopolitan)(3) 1-7Day COCONUTS ECO-ADVENTURES: $USD267 per person per day (6 islands), Single room supplement: $USD82 per night. (1-15 PAX)(1-7 nights at the luxurious Coconuts Beach Club - for those with an insatiable appetite for adventure: allow minimum of 5-6 hours daily of coastal trekking, sea kayaking, deep valley treks, mountain biking, traditional fishing, sea caves, lava tube caves, swimming and snorkelling in remote places). And overnight on an off-shore island. (4) 1-7Day SEA KAYAKING ADVENTURES: $USD167 per person
per day - (1-5 islands) 1-8 PAX (overnight village stays in idyllic beach locations).
Explore remote uninhabited islands by sea kayak, swimming, snorkelling,
birdwatching, beachcombing amidst dolphins and turtles. (Shorter trips cost approx $USD10
per person per hour). (6) EDUCATIONAL TOURS (5-15 DAYS): $USD97 pp/pd (10-30
PAX) (9) SAMOAN HONEYMOON: $USD167 per person per day. (2,4,6 or 8 PAX) We can also arrange a typical Samoan wedding (at an extra cost) with as much tradition as you can handle. Then be prepared for an adventurous honeymoon (as much as you are allowed)."The best honeymoon I have ever had." (Kuno Frick, Leichenstein) For the super adventuresome: (10) 5-30Day UNINHABITED ISLAND SURVIVORS COURSE: $USD167 per person per day (including transfers to the island, logistics, guides, food and training). Spend every night with your experienced guides on an uninhabited volcanic island learning to survive in true cultural comfort (with or without a few "shortcuts"). (PS Soon to be featured in a German Xtreme Adventure Magazine) (11) 8-Day ORSOME FOURSOME: $USD167 per person per day. (1-8 PAX) 2 Days Sea Kayaking, 2 Days Mountain Biking, 2-Days marooned on an uninhabited island and 2 Days Whitewater Trekking. Xtremely challenging"No one in Samoa has ever been to these ‘orsome’ locations in 8 Days." (Samoa’s answer to New Zealand’s Awesome Foursome) (12) 1-14Day MOUNTAIN BIKING TOUR: $USD167 per person per day. (1-6 PAX) The best way to explore Upolu and Savaii Islands. Catering for all levels of fitness (i.e. with or without a support vehicle, downhill only and/or lots of "shortcuts"). (Shorter trips cost approx $USD10 per person per hour).OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Off-shore sailing, scuba diving, surfing, scenic flights, golf, gamefishing and wilderness programmes are also available in Samoa. We can put you in touch with the experts.Practicalities:
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Length of tour:
Flexible. With 6 accessible islands, allow a day or two for each. Most islands are within
30 minutes of each other by ferry. The highlights of Samoa can be enjoyed within 8-12
days, but allow optional free days at the end of the program.
Statement for the Impaired: We would like to assist, and have done so already in
Samoa. 9 paraplegics in wheelchairs circumnavigated our Upolu Island in kayaks in 5
days - the villagers built ramps up into their grass castles, etc. It was the NZ
Para Boat Team. And it brought a week of joy into my life as we shared our lives,
experiences and ordeals. Another was a terminally ill Englishman, Richard, with some
genetic demyelination of his motor nerves, expected to live only 6 months more (and he was
in his early 30s). We carried him to the top of a volcano (he was happy just staying
in the bus), but we insisted (he was so frail it didn't matter). He cried his heart
out when he saw the views, the girls had prepared a crater-side picnic lunch, and they
were singing with their guitars strumming. Even I was in tears!!