Day 1: Port Moresby and Captain’s Welcome
Board Oceanic Discoverer at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure. This afternoon we depart Port Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour and cruise close to Papua New Guinea’s southern coastline as we commence our Melanesian adventure. This evening meet your fellow travellers and join the Captain and his crew for ‘Welcome Aboard’ cocktails as the sun spectacularly sets over the Coral Sea.

Day 2: Bona Bona Island
Enjoy a relaxing morning on board as we sail the rugged coastline and soak up spectacular views of the Owen Stanley Range which majestically towers above. Later, join the Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturer aboard Xplorer to visit remote Bona Bona Island. The island rarely receives visitors and the locals will take delight in showing you their hand crafted canoes, artefacts and fishing tools. Before returning to Oceanic Discoverer there is time for a leisurely swim in the warm tropical waters.

Day 3: Milne Bay, Alotau and World War II
This morning we cruise through China Strait, passing close to the tiny island of Samarai before entering historic and scenic Milne Bay. After landing at the Port of Alotau we join an interesting and informative tour of the area. Discover Alotau’s wartime history on an informative tour of the city – it was here in 1942 that the course of World War II in the Pacific was altered when Australian and American forces defeated the invading Japanese Army during the ‘Battle of the Coral Sea’. After rejoining Oceanic Discoverer we cruise eastward before travelling ashore to the mountainous island of Nuakata where there is time to explore the idyllic surroundings.

Day 4: Egum Atoll and Yanaba Island
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as we board the Xplorer with our Guest Lecturer and enter the stunning lagoon of this picture-perfect atoll. Landing on the beach of Yanaba Island we are officially welcomed with a cultural ‘sing-sing’. There is ample time to explore the atoll, including Egum Islet, with swimming, snorkelling, diving and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 5: Laughlan Islands and Bodaluna
Laughlan Islanders specialise in canoe building, and in this very remote corner of Papua New Guinea we find seagoing canoes under construction. The friendly villagers of Bodaluna welcome us as our Guest Lecturer and naturalists explain the islander’s subsistence gardening, fishing, and participation in the Kula Ring of trading. Enjoy an afternoon snorkel or a dive on the outer reef, where we may see turtles, wrasses and spinner dolphins in the warm clear waters.

Day 6: Solomon Islands and Kennedy Island
This morning we cross in to the exotic Solomon Islands before boarding the Zodiacs and Xplorer to head ashore to tiny Kennedy Island. The island was named in honour of John F Kennedy who swam ashore with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during World War II. Later, we visit the small provincial capital of Ghizo Island. Explore the open air markets, replete with artefacts and wood carvings or join a hike to the lookout for panoramic views across the lagoon and islands.

Day 7: Iron Bottom Sound and Sandfly Passage
Enjoy the day cruising through Iron Bottom Sound and the Sandfly Passage – the site of many intense World War II naval battles. We conduct exploratory stops and join the Expedition Leader as we explore the multitude of islands and inlets through this historic passage.

Day 8: Alite Harbour Village
Centuries ago the people of nearby Malaita built islands in Alite Harbour as protection from the feared inland bushman. Known for trading shells as money, the village still uses shells as traditional currency for bride price and trade. Walking through the village we view demonstrations of traditional cooking, basket weaving and palm thatching.

Day 9: Santa Ana Island and Ancient Rainforests
The locals of Santa Ana, a small island southeast of San Cristobal, welcome us ashore, their village warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns. Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. We enjoy a cultural performance before joining the naturalist for a guided walk across the island, through shady rainforests where a myriad of colourful orchids grow. Alternatively you may choose to join our Dive Instructor to dive or snorkel the surrounding reef.

Day 10: Nendo Island and Snorkelling
Nendo Island is our final port of call in the Solomon Islands and an excellent location to view and purchase quality handmade Melanesian artefacts. This afternoon we enjoy cultural performances and another opportunity to snorkel over the pristine coral reefs.

Day 11: Vanuatu and Ureparapara Island
Welcome to the tropical archipelago of Vanuatu, fondly known as the ‘Happy Islands’. This morning enjoy an unforgettable highlight of the expedition as we cruise into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300 metre cliffs. This is Ureparapara, one of the most spectacular islands in Vanuatu. The only way to experience this island is by sea, and visits from cruise ships are rare. You will be entertained by the local people with a ‘kastom’ dance and you may choose to join a guided walk to the top of the caldera.

Day 12: Champagne Beach and Espiritu Santo
Champagne Beach is located on the largest island in Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo. The beach is without doubt the jewel of Vanuatu and is a nature and water lover’s playground. Enjoy optional tours to the fabled ‘Blue Hole’, bush walking, in-water activities or simply relaxing on the white sands of this magnificent beach.

Day 13: Ambrym Island Volcanoes and Black Magic
Arriving at Ambrym Island you will immediately notice what makes this island so unique. It has two active volcanoes, Mt Marum and Mt Benbow and is sometimes called Black Island because of its black volcanic beach and ‘black magic’. It also has some of the best artefacts and carvings in Melanesia. Boarding the Xplorer, we travel ashore and by special invitation meet the locals and experience the mystical Rom Spirit Dance.

Day 14: Tanna Island Volcano
Today is a very special experience as Tanna Island is one of the only places in the world where you can safely stand on the rim of an active volcano. Keep an eye out for Dugongs, the rarely seen sea creature that inspired the myth of the mermaid. After anchoring in Port Resolution, named by Captain Cook in 1774 in honour of his ship HMS Resolution, we go ashore to a friendly welcome from the locals. Join our Expedition Leader and naturalists on a scenic drive through the rainforest and up the slopes of Mount Yasur. Admire the fantastic views of this active volcano which still regularly spews sparks, rocks and ash. With a backdrop of the volcanic glow we depart Tanna Island for Port Vila as we enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails and settle in for our last night discovering unforgettable Melanesia.

Day 15: Port Vila Farewell
8:00am - This morning we arrive in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, and farewell our new friends before disembarking.

Rates

Prices start from $10850 per person twin share. Click here for full rate and departure information.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow this itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other reason whatsoever.

Back / Cruises / Melanesia