Come aboard the Coral Discoverer on a 13-night South Pacific expeditionary adventure combining New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea and discover for yourself the most diverse traditional cultures and stunning natural scenery found in today’s Oceania.
Highlights
Experience the diversity of Melanesia culture
Relax at Champagne Beach is the jewel of Vanuatu.
Take the plunge with a Dive Instructor on a guided SCUBA dive.
Snorkel in some of the most pristine waters in the South Pacific
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Boarding commences at 9:00 am for a 10:00 am departure. Meet fellow travelers and enjoy lunch while cruising towards New Caledonia’s Casey Island. Travel ashore and relax on the spectacular beach, or venture into the shallows just meters from the beach for a first Melanesian snorkeling experience. Tonight, join the Captain and his crew for the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktails.
Lifou Island’s impressive beaches are amongst the best in the world, backed by sparkling lagoons and pine tree covered landscapes. Join the Expedition Leader on a walk across the island, stopping to take in the views of beautiful bays and old churches. Lifou offers sensational snorkeling with a panorama of sealife unsullied by man.
Crossing into Vanuatu approach Tanna Island and see hot springs bubbling beneath the surface, the first signs of volcanic activity. After landing at Port Resolution, named by Captain Cook in 1774 in honor of his ship HMS Resolution, go ashore to a friendly welcome from the locals. Join the 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.
Land at South West Bay on Malekula Island, the second largest island in Vanuatu. Malekula art and ritual objects are among the finest in the country and the island is famous for the complex ceremonies and rituals preserved by two of its remarkable tribes, the Big Nambas and the Small Nambas. Anchor at the Maskelyne Islands and enjoy the opportunity for snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours.
Champagne Beach is located on the largest island in Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo. The jewel of Vanuatu, enjoy the splendor of magnificent Champagne Beach with a day full of fantastic swimming, snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours. Join a Dive Instructor for a dive over the corals and participate in a guided walk with local guides through the rainforest to the popular swimming spot ‘Blue Hole', or simply relax on the white sands of this magnificent beach.
Welcome to the tropical archipelago of Vanuatu, fondly known as the 'Happy Islands'. Ureparapara is one of the most spectacular islands in the South Pacific. Imagine cruising into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300 meter cliffs. The only way to experience this island is by sea, and visits from cruise ships are rare. After traveling ashore to the village, be entertained by the local people with dancing, before joining a guided walk to the top of the caldera for fantastic views across the island and great photography opportunities.
Nendo Island is the final port of call in the Solomon Islands and an excellent location to view and purchase quality handmade Melanesian artifacts. Enjoy cultural performances and another opportunity to snorkel over the pristine coral reefs.
The locals of Santa Ana, a small island southeast of San Cristobal, welcome the ship ashore with village warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns. Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. Enjoy a cultural performance and join the naturalist for a guided walk across the island, through shady forests where a myriad of colorful orchids grow. Alternatively, join the Dive Instructor to dive or snorkel the surrounding reef.
Anchor off picturesque Mangalonga Island and savor a full day of in-water activities. Join a snorkel, SCUBA diving or glass bottom boat tour before traveling ashore to Maravagi Resort where there is time to explore on a guided nature walk.
The Arnavon Islands are the only marine reserve in the Solomon Islands where, except for subsistence gathering, all marine life is protected and fishing is banned. The islands are home to endangered wildlife including the beautiful Hawksbill Turtle. Travel ashore to see how the conservation efforts are helping rejuvenate the island before enjoying snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours. This afternoon board Xplorer for a cruise up Dart Sound to the remote village of Kia.
Visit Gizo, the small provincial capital of Ghizo Island. Explore the open air markets, replete with artifacts and wood carvings or join a hike to the lookout for panoramic views across the lagoon and islands. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for the white-bellied graybird, whiskered tree swift or colorful lorikeets native to the remote Solomon Islands. Later, board the Xplorer and head ashore to tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of John F Kennedy, who swam ashore to the island with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during WWII.
Laughlan Islanders specialize in canoe building and in this very remote corner of eastern Papua New Guinea find seagoing canoes under construction. Be welcomed by the friendly villagers of Bodaluna while the Guest Lecturers and naturalists explain the islander’s subsistence gardening, fishing and participation in the Kula Ring of trading. Enjoy an afternoon snorkel or an adventurous dive on the outer reef to view turtles, wrasses and spinner dolphins in the warm, clear waters.
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as the Xplorer, with Guest Lecturers and guides, travels ashore to Yanaba Island. There is ample time for snorkeling, diving and glass bottom boat tours over the stunning coral reef system.
Day 14: Alotau
1 Breakfast
Arrive in historic Alotau and say farewell to new-found friends before disembarking at approximately 9:00 am.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Notes
Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.
Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Initial deposit is variable, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.