French Polynesia Adventure - TRAK Expedition: May, 2026

• Region: French Polynesia
• Duration: 9 Days (with optional add-ons)
• Dates: May 3-11, 2026 & May 15-26, 2026
• Skill Level: Beginner

Led by world-class guides and TRAK instructors with deep regional experience, this all-inclusive, once-in-a-lifetime sea kayak trip will take place over 9 days, with a mix of local homestays and camping in the French Polynesian islands of Raiatea and Taha'a! Camp under the stars, take time to meet locals, and explore rarely visited islands and lagoons from the intimacy of your own TRAK sea kayak. 

Located in the archipelago of Îles Sous-le-Vent are the islands: Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, and Maupiti, located 220 km northwest of Tahiti. Raiatea and Tahaa islands, which we will be circumnavigating, are sheltered by the same lagoon, offering us a perfect area for sea kayaking navigation.

Raiatea, the "sacred island," was the cradle of Polynesian culture with its large Taputapueta marae, where, according to oral tradition, the great migration began to Hawaii and New Zealand. The beaches are rare on Raiatea, but the innumerable motus (islets) have beautiful white sand and offer a sumptuous seabed for snorkelling. We will explore the Faaroa River, which is the only navigable river in Polynesia and runs through the heart of lush vegetation.

Sharing the same lagoon as Raiatea Island is Tahaa Island, also known as "Vanilla Island". It is the epitome of the tropical paradise - a natural and wild jewel placed upon the translucent waters of its lagoon. This environment is inseparable from the sea kayak experience. 

Who is this Polynesia sea kayak trip for?

The trip is suitable for all levels of kayakers, from beginner to advanced. Previous experience in a sea kayak is not essential but highly recommended.

This trip is ideal for those who are ready to leave behind the comforts of a hotel for an adventure which brings you closer to nature. Participants should be in relatively good physical condition - those who regularly practice any sport or outdoor activity should find the experience comfortable. Paddling time is around 6 hours per day. 

Group sizes are 8 people with 2 guides, and where possible, we try to match kayakers of similar experience in the same group.

Our trips are participatory, and you can contribute to meal preparation, etc, where you feel comfortable.  

About Your Guides

For this trip, TRAK is partnering up with long-time TRAK Pilot, Zack Kruzins of SAND INC, along with his good friend Patrice Duval. 

Zack Kruzin's TRAK Story

In 2012/13, Zack lived aboard the shared cost live-aboard ketch Karaka (https://karaka.org/) for over 1 year traveling the central and south pacific islands with 3 sea kayaks paddling everywhere he could guiding kayak tours to make enough money to eat and contribute to the boat along the way. In October 2013, Zack met Patrice while looking for someone to buy his plastic sea kayaks as he wasn't able to take them on the plane to New Zealand. This is when Zack was turned onto TRAK and the portability of a seaworthy kayak. He purchased his first TRAK and received it in June 2014 just in time to make a 16 day self-supported expedition in Haida Gwaii with Patrice and his wife Isa. He went on to use the boat on many different expeditions and travel in Australia, SE Asia, Canada, Baja Mexico, Patagonia and Antarctica. He is now a Level 3 TRAK Pilot, Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer, Wilderness First Aid instructor, and Senior Polar Guide.

Zack now owns and operates Such A Nice Day (S.A.N.D) Adventures Inc., based on the northern shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. When the season changes each year, he finds himself drawn to polar regions and everywhere in between. He has spent the past 20+ years leading and conducting paddling expeditions all over the world. His enthusiasm and zest for life are contagious.

Of all the places in the world Zack has dreamed of how to return to one of his favourite destinations, French Poylnesia.

Both Zack and Patrice have an extremely high level of experience traveling with the TRAK kayaks and kit all over the world. This expedition offers a very unique opportunity for any new TRAK owners to receive high level mentorship on how to do it themselves.

Patrice Duval's TRAK Story

Living on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, Patrice followed his teacher wife to French Polynesia for a 4 years teaching contract in 2012, when he discovered this kayaking paradise where there were no professional kayakers, he decided to set up his own business: Kayak Nomad Polynesia, offering day trips to Mooréa and muti-days on the islands of Raiatéa and Tahaa, an immersive experience close to the local culture.....

Patrice met Zack on a Polynesian stopover, who was looking to sell kayaks that he transported on a round-the-world sailboat. Their shared passion for sea- kayaking and travel created a natural bond that would strengthen over the years as they shared expeditions around the world.

These 4 dream years came to an end in 2016 with the couple's return to their island of La Réunion, where Patrice works as a kayak instructor for his club, but also as an expedition
guide for various service providers, as well as on polar cruises in the Arctic and Antarctic.

When Zack asked Patrice to share his knowledge of Polynesia by sea kayak to set up a
trip, he was only too happy to return to this paradise with a long-time friend.

Patrice holds a number of qualifications in outdoor sports, including a French “ brevet d'état“ in canoe kayak with sea-kayaking speciality and associated disciplines, a British Canoe leader in sea-kayak and a Paddle Canada trainee on multi-day tours. He takes part like coach in the ckmer symposium in Brittany, which he considers to be one of the best destinations for sea kayaking, with its varied landscapes and strong tides.

For Patrice, the very spirit of sea-kayaking is long distance travel, and with folding kayaks there are no barriers: the world is just a paddle away!