We Found Paradise... And The World's Most Dangerous Neighbors 🐊 Remote, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful—welcome to the Solomon Islands. In this episode, we drop anchor in a place where time seems to have stood still. From our very first trade on the water to discovering the deep-rooted history of WWII , our arrival in the Solomons has been nothing short of surreal. But life in paradise isn't all palm trees and turquoise water. With a ripped sail to repair on a patch of grass and our food supplies dwindling to almost nothing, the reality of remote sailing starts to set in. Just when we thought we were in trouble, the incredible local community stepped in with a gift that kept us going and showed us a secret hidden spot that refreshed our motivation. Previous Video → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWlIM0XVtxU ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 | The First Trade: Entering the Solomon Islands 04:00 | Intro Sequence 04:30 | Finding Paradise: WWII History & The Copra Trade 06:50 | Sail Repairs: DIY Maintenance in the Wild 08:50 | Slacklining, Empty Pantries, and an Unexpected Gift 10:00 | Hidden Oasis: The Jungle’s Secret Swimming Hole 12:30 | Crocodile Territory: Navigating Predator Waters 14:10 | The Kids of Rendova: A Village Welcome We’ll Never Forget 🎥 Episode 1 – Sailing Solomon Islands Become part of the crew 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! 📍Location: Rendova Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands #sailingvlog #papuanewguinea #onceuponareef#SailingAdventure #SolomonIslands #OffGridLiving #TravelDocumentary #BoatLife #Expedition

We set out for a 300nm passage to the Solomon Islands, but the ocean had other plans. What started as a frustratingly slow crawl to Grassy Islet—taking an entire day just to cover the first 15 miles—quickly turned into a sailor's nightmare. In the middle of the night, the "no wind" struggle vanished, replaced by violent, unpredictable squalls. We fought the elements for hours until the sound we dreaded most echoed through the dark: the screecher finally gave way. With 300 miles of open ocean to cover and a damaged sail, it was a challenging time to say the least. From the exhaustion of the storm to a breathtaking 3:00 AM arrival guided by dolphins and shooting stars, you really seem to experience the full spectrum of life out here. Previous Video → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyifApWYrJE ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 The Calm Before the 300nm crossing 01:30 15 Miles in 24 Hours? A Frustrating Start ⚓ 04:30 Using Nature’s Sensors: The Feather Trick 05:40 DISASTER STRIKES: A Ripped Sail & The Midnight Squall ⛈️ 07:30 Safety First: Why We Finally Got Harnesses 09:50 The Final Stretch: Guided by Dolphins & Stars ✨ 🎥 Episode 0 – Sailing Solomon Islands 📍Location: Western Province, Solomon Islands Become part of the crew 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #sailingvlog #papuanewguinea #onceuponareef

Stone axes? Retired from daily chopping, but cherished heirlooms—flaked from river rock, vine-lashed, worth a bride price. And bagi? Real banana seed beads, worth a pig or canoe. Kids inherit them like gold. Cash? Never needed here. Full Ep21: Making Bagi — The Ancient Shell Money of Papua New Guinea 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/JdbKFFGBd34 #StoneAxe #Bagi #PapuaNewGuinea #VillageWealth #RealPNG #sailingvlog #onceuponareef

Summary... (add time-stamps, change episode number, add location) No matches, no lighter—just two sticks and pure skill! Watch my friend spark fire from scratch using ancient PNG friction technique. 🔥 Mind-blowing survival mastery! Full Ep20: Inside Papua New Guinea’s Hidden World of Black Magic & Sorcery 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/G5dPPklxl48 #FrictionFire #FireFromScratch #PapuaNewGuinea #SurvivalSkills #PrimitiveFire #sailingvlog #onceuponareef

Insane traditional fishing in Papua New Guinea! Feathers mimic squid bait, rock in coconut leaf sinks it—tug drops the rock, feathers bob like prey! 🪝 Mind-blowing indigenous hack from Papua New Guinea. Full episode: Village Life in Remote Papua New Guinea | Lost Traditions & Ancient Skills (Ep19) 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/RAMj6v6wWjo #PapuaNewGuinea #TraditionalFishing #IndigenousKnowledge #FishingHack #Onceuponareef #sailingvlog

Kids hand-carve ukuleles, trade whole chickens by canoe, fish with feathers + a rock! 🪝 Ancient “bagi” coral money, traditional drumming, and a forgotten way of life. Pure magic! Full raw adventure live NOW on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/RAMj6v6wWjo #PapuaNewGuinea #VillageLife #TraditionalFishing #SailingAdventure #sailingvlog #onceuponareef

Local kids in Motorina Village, Papua New Guinea, carve ukuleles from jungle wood + fishing line… then jump on our boat for an epic jam session! 🎶 Most musical island yet! Full episode: Village Life in Remote Papua New Guinea | Lost Traditions & Ancient Skills (Ep19) 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/RAMj6v6wWjo #PapuaNewGuinea #PNG #HandmadeUkulele #BoatJamb#sailingvlogb#onceuponareef

Traded for huge megapode eggs in PNG—laid in compost mounds, not nests! Villagers dig them from warm, decaying piles (no brooding, just nature’s incubator). 50% bigger than chicken eggs, ultra-rich yolks. Insane flavor! Full Ep20: Inside Papua New Guinea’s Hidden World of Black Magic & Sorcery 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/G5dPPklxl48 #MegapodeEggs #MoundNests #PapuaNewGuinea #VillageTrade #PNGDelicacy #sailingvlog #onceuponareef

Our friend in Papua New Guinea hand-carves custom wooden bowls, plates, forks, and spoons from a single jungle log—using only traditional tools over 7 days! 🪚 Pure skill, zero machines. Full Ep20: Inside Papua New Guinea’s Hidden World of Black Magic & Sorcery 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/G5dPPklxl48 #WoodCarving #HandmadeBowls #PapuaNewGuinea #TraditionalCraft #PNGSkills #sailingvlog #onceuponareef

Simple living, rich tradition — join us in Papua New Guinea as we cook over the fire in a handmade clay pot and experience the rhythm of island life. The morning begins with a canoe pulling alongside our boat — locals bring us one of our favourites: fresh baked cassava pudding, still warm from the fire. Not long after, they return with live mud crabs they’ve just caught by hand along the mangroves — strong, fast, and very much alive as they make a chaotic escape across the cockpit. Out here, life moves with the tides. People grow up on the sea, learning to sail, fish, and navigate from a young age — skills passed down through generations. We often talk about how it feels being here; how the community looks out for us with such care that it reminds us of being “cubs” — protected, guided, and watched over. Later, we go ashore to a small fishing outpost. Along the coast, local fishermen have built simple structures — a hut for sleeping, others for drying fish over the fire, or taking shelter when the weather turns. These places tell stories of everyday island life — resourceful, communal, and deeply connected to the ocean. We light a fire and cook in a traditional clay pot, a vessel shaped entirely by hand from local clay, then fired and hardened over coals. These pots are more than cooking tools — they hold deep cultural significance and are used during weddings, funerals, and feasts of importance. Each one represents care, continuity, and the sharing of life’s most meaningful moments. As evening falls, we return to our floating home to tackle a small but steady task — repairing wood rot on the boat, keeping her ready for the next crossing. A day of fire, craft, and quiet purpose — moments that remind us why this life at sea feels so rich and full. 🌀 A story of craft, simplicity, and connection in the islands of Papua New Guinea. 🔥 Episode 22 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍 Location: Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea 🎣 Themes: Traditional Cooking, Clay Pot Traditions, Island Culture, Ocean Communities, Simple Living, Sailing Life ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – 🍮 Fresh baked cassava pudding & live mud crabs delivered by canoe 1:52 – 🐚 Life at sea & being cared for like “cubs” 2:52 – 🎥 Intro video 3:18 – 🥥 Coconut plantation — a way to provide water during droughts 4:10 – ⛵ Sailing culture — learning the ocean from childhood 7:12 – 🛖 Exploring the fisherman’s huts ashore 11:05 – 🔥 Cooking on the fire in a traditional clay pot 13:06 – ⚙️ Boat repair — fixing wood rot aboard 🫶 Support Our Journey: 💡 Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee → https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift → https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 Instagram → @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 Business Inquiries: onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey, we’re Ryan and Poppy — two sailors exploring the remote islands and reefs of the Pacific. Through stories like this, we hope to share the beauty, culture, and simplicity of life at sea while raising awareness for the fragile ecosystems and communities that sustain it. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #PapuaNewGuinea #IslandLife #TraditionalCooking #ClayPot #OnceUponAReef #SailingDocumentary #PacificIslands #CulturalHeritage #SimpleLiving #AdventureTravel

Locals surprised us with a mystery bag… and it was CRAWLING with LIVE mud crabs! 😱🦀 🌴 Watch the full story → Clay Pot Fire Cooked Feast (Ep22) on our channel Once Upon A Reef. 👇 Subscribe for more island adventures and reef stories. Support the journey and come get involved on Patreon 💙 #OnceUponAReef #PapuaNewGuinea #MudCrabs #IslandAdventure #HiddenParadise #PNG #TropicalVibes #ReefLife #OceanAdventure #PacificIslands #NatureLovers #OffGridLiving #SurvivalCooking

A hidden limestone cave deep in Papua New Guinea. Guided by the village chief, we trek barefoot over sharp limestone rock before diving into the crystal water with local kids. 🌴 Watch the full story → Guided by Village Chief to Secret Limestone Cave (Ep17) on our channel Once Upon A Reef. 👇 Subscribe for more island adventures and reef stories. Support the journey and come get involved on Patreon 💙 #OnceUponAReef #PapuaNewGuinea #LimestoneCave #HiddenParadise #BlueCave #IslandAdventure #CaveSwimming #PNG #TropicalVibes #ReefLife #OceanAdventure #PacificIslands #NatureLovers #TravelShorts #OffGridTravel

Deep in Papua New Guinea’s island chain, we uncover ancient traditions still alive today — from stone axes to the making of Bagi, the shell money that continues to shape island life. Join us for a rare look into real island life and the cultural exchanges that still define this remote corner of the Pacific. 🌴 Don’t forget to subscribe and sail with us as we explore more untold stories from the sea. As we sail across the turquoise waters of Papua New Guinea, our lines go tight — three big pelagics, mackerel and tuna, strike while we make our way toward the remote island of Panawina. But as the day unfolds, something unusual happens — no canoes, no visitors. In a region where hospitality is a way of life, silence often means something deeper. Later, we learn the village has been caught in local tensions linked to sorcery — a reality still deeply woven into life in these islands. That evening, a kind man finally paddles out to meet us — a village pastor with a warm smile. We gift him the fish we caught, and in return, he welcomes us ashore. At his home, we’re shown an ancient tradition — the making and meaning of the stone axe, once a vital tool and powerful trade item, symbolizing strength, skill, and ancestral connection. That evening, he shares a rare and beautiful tradition — the ancient art of making Bagi, also known as Mwali, the traditional shell money of the Milne Bay region. Using simple handmade tools, he crafts this valuable currency from the chama shell, a large red shell they dive for in deep waters. 🐚 About Bagi: Bagi are carefully shaped and polished shell disks or segments, usually strung together into a necklace-like form. Each polished shell piece represents wealth, status, and social connection. These shells are shaped, smoothed, and strung by hand — a form of traditional currency that has been used for generations to trade food, pigs, sailing canoes, and even for bride price — a timeless system of universal exchange that still binds communities together today. What began as a simple sail and a few fish became a journey into the heart of a living culture — one still bound by generosity, craftsmanship, and the rhythm of the ocean. 🌀 A story of connection, belief, and timeless exchange in the islands of Papua New Guinea. 🐚 Episode 21 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍 Location: Panawina Island, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea 🎣 Themes: Traditional Money, Bagi (Mwali) Shell Currency, Stone Axe Traditions, Island Culture, Sorcery Beliefs, Sailing Adventure, Papua New Guinea Documentary, Milne Bay Culture ⏱️ Timestamps: 🐟 0:00 – Poppy reels in her first mackerel and tuna as we sail toward Panawina Island, Papua New Guinea ⛵ 1:35 – Once Upon a Reef intro — life and travel by sailboat through remote Melanesia ⚡ 3:36 – Why no one visited us — uncovering local conflicts tied to sorcery and belief 🍲 6:41 – Sharing a meal and stories with the island’s pastor and his family 🪓 7:07 – Discovering the ancient craft and meaning of the traditional stone axe 🐚 7:24 – The making of Bagi (Mwali) — how the people of Papua New Guinea still create and use their traditional shell money 🕯️ 8:27 – Traditions when someone passes away — how belief and custom guide village life 🫶 Support Our Journey: 💡 Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee → https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift → https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 Instagram → @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 Business Inquiries: onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure-loving sailors exploring the most remote reefs and islands in the world. Through our sailing documentaries, we hope to inspire, raise awareness, and support ongoing research to help protect these natural life systems. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #PapuaNewGuinea #Bagi #TraditionalMoney #SailingDocumentary #IslandLife #ShellMoney #OnceUponAReef #PacificCulture #AdventureTravel #CulturalHeritage

On a remote island in the Pacific, we helped the village chief build his traditional sailing canoe — a story that connects to a secret cave hidden deep in limestone cliffs 🪨⛵ On Panasia Island, far from the rest of the world, the village chief is hand-crafting a traditional sailing canoe the same way it’s been done for generations. We offered a few power tools to help — blending old wisdom with a touch of modern convenience. What makes this moment even more special is that this same chief guided us to a secret limestone cave in our main episode. 🎥 Watch the full story here: 👉 Guided by Village Chief to Secret Limestone Cave (Ep17) This is what adventure is really about — connection, culture, and the ocean. 🌊 Subscribe to follow our voyage as we sail across the Pacific sharing real stories. 📍 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago ⛵ Expedition: Traditional canoe building with the local chief 🧭 Theme: Culture · Sailing · Documentary · Adventure #OnceUponAReef #SailingAdventure #PacificIslands #TraditionalCanoe #Documentary #SailingLife #IslandCulture #OffGridAdventure #PanasiaIsland #OceanStories #LimestoneCave #VillageChief

With the village chief’s permission and a written note, we paddled across open ocean to reach an island hiding ancient skull caves 💀🏝️ With the village chief’s permission and a written note, we paddled across an open channel to a remote island where skull caves are hidden deep in the limestone. No one truly knows the full story — some say sacred burial, some whisper of rituals or sorcery. Whatever the truth, standing there feels like stepping into another time. 📺 Watch the full story in: 👉 Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18) 📍 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago 🧭 Theme: Exploration · Culture · Mystery · Sailing Adventure #OnceUponAReef #SkullCave #AdventureTravel #PanasiaIsland #PacificIslands #SailingAdventure #PapuaNewGuinea #IslandLife #CulturalExploration #TravelDocumentary #HiddenCave #OffGridAdventure

Three people. One two-person kayak. A crossing we’ll never forget. We paddled over shallow reef and into the deep open channel between islands — chasing whispers of ancient skull caves. What started as a wild idea quickly turned into one of those “too late to turn back” moments. By the time we reached the island, the kayak was barely afloat. 📺 Watch the full story on OnceUponAReef — “Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18)”. #AdventureTravel #KayakLife #IslandExpedition #ReefCrossing #SkullCave #OnceUponAReef #OpenOcean #WildJourneys #TravelVlog #IslandAdventure

In this powerful episode, we journey deep into Papua New Guinea's remote Motorina Island to uncover the hidden world of black magic, sorcery, and traditional village life. 🪄 From legendary stories of real sorcery to the ancient art of making fire by hand, we explore the indigenous beliefs, survival skills, and rituals that continue to shape daily life in one of the most isolated island communities in the South Pacific. Then we sail to nearby Bagaman Island, where incredibly skilled artisans craft wooden bowls, spoons, forks, and plates from scratch using only handmade local tools — a beautiful expression of self-reliance and creative island living. 👉 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, COMMENT 💬, and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more off-grid sailing adventures and authentic cultural stories from the sea! 🌴 Episode 20 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🌊 📍 Location: Motorina Island & Bagaman, Louisiade Archipelago ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Making fire without a lighter 🔥 01:52 – How we started smoking natural tobacco 🍂 03:15 – Legendary stories of black magic & sorcery 🧙‍♂️ 06:11 – Traditional boat building ⛵ 07:22 – Island trading & barter economy 🤝 09:45 – Wood carving from scratch 🪵 12:24 – Eating wild bush fowl eggs 🥚 🫶 Support Our Journey 💡 Patreon – onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee – https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift – https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures 📧 Business Inquiries – onceuponareef@protonmail.com 📸 Instagram – @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy’s Channel – https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 👋 Who We Are Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy – two adventure-loving sailors exploring some of the most remote islands and reefs on Earth. By sharing our travels, we hope to inspire, educate, and support efforts to protect our oceans and traditional cultures through storytelling and awareness. 🌊 #SailingLife #RemoteIslandCulture #PapuaNewGuinea #BlackMagic #OffGridAdventure #VillageLife #TraditionalLiving #OceanNomads #LouisiadeArchipelago #WoodCarving #TraditionalBoats #IslandSurvival #SailingCouple #EcoTravel #IndigenousKnowledge #SouthPacificCulture #OnceUponAReef

An unforgettable moment from our Papua New Guinea expedition — sailing home on a traditional outrigger canoe skimming the reef edge of Panasia Island. The wind, the waves, the craftsmanship — all pure island spirit. 🌴 This clip is from Episode 18 – “Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe”, where we uncover hidden skull caves, explore remote islands, and share stories of ancient traditions with the local chief and villagers. 👉 Watch the full adventure here: 🎥 Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18) 📍 Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago – Papua New Guinea 🛶 Traditional Canoe | Reef Sailing | Remote Island Culture #PapuaNewGuinea #TraditionalCanoe #IslandAdventure #SailingLife #PacificIslands #CulturalJourney #LouisiadeArchipelago #PNGIslands #ReefSailing #OceanAdventure #TribalCulture #TravelShorts #AdventureTravel #SailingVlog #ExploreMore

🌴 In this episode, we sail to the remote island of Motorina, where we’re welcomed by one of the most musical and generous communities we've encountered on our journey so far. 🌺 ✨ From hand-carved ukuleles to sharing whole-cooked chickens and fresh produce, this village experience is a glimpse into a way of life that has been largely lost in the modern world. 🚣🏽‍♂️ We trade with locals arriving by canoe, witness the incredible craftsmanship of their traditional sailing canoes, and learn about "bagi" – the island’s ancient form of traditional money, once made from banana seeds, now beautifully recreated using black coral. 🎣 I also head out into the open sea with our friend Jimmy in his dugout canoe, where he teaches me the art of traditional fishing using feathers, hooks, and a rock wrapped in a leaf — a technique passed down for generations. This is real village life, raw and unfiltered. It’s about connection, tradition, and a sustainable way of living that’s increasingly rare in the Western world. If you love off-grid adventures, remote cultures, and traditional skills, this one’s for you. 👇 Watch now and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures from the sea! 📍 Episode 19 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Motorina Island, Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Traditional Village life, Local Music, Trading, Boat Building & Making Bagi ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – 🚤 Sailing from Panasia Island to Motorina Island 01:09 – 👋 Channel Intro – Meet the Crew! 01:38 – 🏝️ A Warm Welcome into the Village 03:06 – 🌿 Life in a Traditional Village 04:12 – 🥁 Local Kids Playing Traditional Music 06:10 – 🍉 Fruits & Veggies We Received from Trading 07:19 – 🤝 What Trading for Our Food Looks Like 08:56 – 🛠️ Boat Building & More Local Trade 12:47 – 📿 How Locals Make Traditional Bagi Necklaces 16:19 – 🎣 Fishing the Traditional Way 18:12 – 💭 Final Thoughts on Motorina Village 🫶 Support Our Journey: 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. #SailingLife #VillageLife #TraditionalFishing #DocumentaryTravel #RemoteIslandCulture #OffGridAdventure #Motirna #SouthPacificCulture #TraditionalCanoes #islandlife

An unforgettable expedition into mystery and adventure. With the chief’s blessing, we paddled across open ocean to hidden skull caves filled with human remains — relics of sorcery, cannibalism, and headhunting traditions. The journey home? A wild ride on a traditional sailing canoe skimming the reef edge. 📍 Episode 18 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Remote Kayaking, Wild Ocean Crossings, Skull Caves, Traditional Canoe, Island Music Timestamps: 🌅 00:00 – Epic Day Begins in Paradise 🛶 00:45 – Kayaking Around Stunning Panasia Island 💀 03:10 – Chief Shows us Crushed up Skulls 🏝️ 03:29 – Paddling to a Remote Sand Cay 🎬 04:45 – Channel Intro – Meet the Crew! 🏖️ 05:14 – We Arrive at the Beautiful Sand Cay 👋 05:33 – Meeting the Friendly Island Locals 🌊 05:59 – Crossing Open Ocean — 3 on 1 Kayak (Nearly Sank!) 🙌 07:52 – Safe Arrival at Little Panasia Island! 🏞️ 08:11 – Trekking to the Mysterious Skull Caves 🔦 09:12 – Inside the Eerie Skull Caves 🚶‍♂️ 10:07 – Exploring Little Panasia Village 🎁 10:38 – Uncle John Gifts Poppy a Handmade Bilem 🚣‍♀️ 11:15 – Swapping Kayaks for a Traditional Canoe Ride ⛵ 11:21 – Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe 🎶 16:06 – Local Jam Session Onboard — Island Vibes! With a special note from the chief granting us permission to visit the skull caves, we paddled 2 nautical miles to a sand cay to pick up our guide. He jumped on too, making it three of us in a single kayak — with the bung missing in the front. By the time we reached Little Panasia we were nearly going under. From there, we raced the tide on a scenic journey along sharp limestone cliffs, carved and shaped by the relentless embrace of the sea over countless years. Climbing up through the bush, we reached the hidden skull cave. We never imagined how many human bones would be inside. Their origins are shrouded in mystery — some believe they are remnants of ancestors who fell victim to sorcery, while others suggest they may belong to those consumed in times when cannibalism was still practiced. Intriguingly, many of the lower jaws were missing, perhaps taken as trophies during the days of headhunting, symbols of warriors’ prowess. On the way back, we were offered a ride on one of their traditional sailing canoes while two of our new friends paddled the kayak home. We couldn’t say yes quick enough. Soon we were sculling coconuts and setting off. It was a small canoe, just big enough for four of us. One man stood at the bow calling orders — wind changes, reefs to avoid, when to tack. Another steered at the stern with a massive paddle, half-held with his feet while also pulling ropes to shape the sail. The rest of us rotated bailing as we skimmed so close to the reef, dodging coral heads in the shallows. Back at our boat we jammed until sunset, then farewelled our friends with gifts to thank them for such an incredible day. This was truly a dream adventure — and a must-see episode. 🫶 Support Our Journey: ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #AdventureTravel #Expedition #Documentary #KayakAdventure #SkullCaves #TribalHistory #PapuaNewGuinea #CulturalExploration #RemoteTravel #OceanAdventure #TraditionalCanoe #HeadHuntingHistory #CannibalismHistory #MysteryCaves #TravelDocumentary #IslandExploration