Join the Coral Adventurer for the inaugural "Customs and Craftsmen" art-themed expedition of Papua New Guinea, West Papua, and the Maluku Islands. This exciting itinerary will spend a fully immersive 22 nights exploring remote villages and historic towns, focusing on art and culture and interacting with the local communities along the way.
The expedition will be joined by collector and expert on New Guinea tribal art, Richard Aldridge, who will be offering his expertise as a guest lecturer throughout the voyage.
Highlights
Enjoy a private onboard art exhibition in Madang and mingle with artists
Meet local craftsmen and artists at remote villages and markets
Visit the Sultan Palace and enjoy high tea in Ternate with the island view
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board Coral Adventurer at 7:30 am for a 9:00 am a departure. Departing from Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf, ready to begin the voyage toward Banda Neira Island.
As the ship crosses the Timor Sea take time to relax and explore the Coral Adventurer, enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks, and join presentations with the Expedition Team.
An armada of Kora Kora Canoes flanking the Coral Adventurer welcomes the ship to Banda Neira. Once ashore, explore the old colonial town and tour the nutmeg plantations, museums, and markets. There is a great opportunity to snorkel over the lava flow of Gunung Api volcano.
Dinner tonight will be hosted under the stars at the 17th-century Fort Belgica, where the local artists join and displays their arts and crafts and dancing. Dine on Bandanese cuisine as the sun sets over the fort.
Saparua has a relaxed and traditional environment, with very few tourists. The Dutch East Indies Company established Fort Duurstedt in 1691, and the island is full of history. The locals greet us with flowers and a welcome dance before joining the guides and guest lecturer for a tour of the fort and village.
In the afternoon, visit the beautiful white sands of Molana Island.
Spend today cruising South Halmahera, stopping at the lush mountainous islands and snorkeling the colorful fringing reefs with their abundant marine life.
Boarding the Xplorer, cruise to Ternate and journey to the Sultan’s Palace. Built-in 1834 and restored in a semi-colonial style, the Sultan’s Place still houses the Sultan’s family. On a guided walk throughout the palace grounds, you can view numerous artifacts from the Dutch & Portuguese eras and learn about the ‘magic of the crown’.
During the afternoon exploration of Ternate, you may enjoy a high tea with a view over the islands and learn of the clove plantation history. A visit to the unique Fort Tolukko which presides over the foreshore gives impressive views of volcanic Mt Gamalama.
Awake in Tobelo Bay surrounded by lush green islands and a jigsaw of coral atolls. Today, visit the elementary school and the communal House or Hibualamo, where you are entertained with cultural performances. You can also have the opportunity to visit the Tobelo markets today.
Spend the morning crossing the Halmahera Sea before being welcomed to Amsterdam Island with an enthusiastic and colorful grand reception. Amsterdam Island is known for WW2 history, with the shoreline and seafloor displaying remnants of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.
The Auri Islands lie within Cenderawasih Bay (Cenderawasih means “Paradise” in the Bahasa language). Here you can relax on beautiful beaches, snorkel the reefs, visit the local fishing camp and explore the islands’ perimeter on board the zodiacs.
Enter Cenderawasih Marine Park and go in search of the biggest fish in the sea, the extraordinary whale shark. It is possible to swim with these majestic animals and may have a chance to snorkel among them. Visit Kwatisore Village to learn about the local culture through traditional dances and games and listen to their talented string band. Local handicraft is also available for viewing or purchase at the market.
Today, the Coral Adventurer enters the Mamberamo River. This vast river is the Amazon of New Guinea, an almost completely unexplored region that is home to villages and tribes whose culture is still relatively undisturbed. The visit to this raw and primeval area will be exploratory, with the potential to visit local warrior tribes and enjoy the wilderness surroundings.
Known as "Hollandia" until 1963, Jayapura is now a melting pot of sights and exotic aromas. Visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art, and cruise on a longboat to see the stilt towns built over the tranquil lake. You are welcomed at Asei Village by the local dancers and their accompanying traditional instruments, and view bark paintings and other artifacts.
This morning, enter Papua New Guinea at Vanimo. In Vanimo village, locals put on cultural demonstrations including sing sings traditional clay pot making and the application of tribal tattoos.
At first light, the ships enter the mighty Sepik River and visit the village of Bien where they are famous for their arts and crafts. A true Sepik welcome awaits as you step ashore. Embrace this opportunity to purchase unique carvings and art direct from the artist.
As you depart the Sepik River, enjoy the views as the ship sails past the active volcano at Manam Island.
Explore Madang, famed for its waterfront setting and colonial history. On a town, the tour visits the Madang Museum, Coast Watchers Monument, and the local village of Bil Bil, famed for its pottery.
This morning, welcome local artists on board for a private art exhibition of their work – guests may have the chance to mingle with the artists and talk about their techniques. Later guests are able to view Sepik art on display at Sugen Aben Park, and view demonstrations of bilum bag making and as well as other handicraft.
Today, visit Dregerhafen in Morobe, famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. Explore the village of Gingala where a high-spirited welcome is guaranteed. The markets are open and get the chance to walk through the village with the locals. After lunch, enjoy snorkeling, diving, and kayaks in the blue waters of the lagoon. Finish the day with drinks on the sundeck and a sundeck BBQ.
The battle of Buna-Gona witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during the final stages of WWII. During the war, Buna was the trailhead of the Kokoda Track. Formally known as the ‘Buna Kokoda-Moresby Track’, the expedition team and local guides accompany us through this dense jungle landscape to discover Buna’s dramatic history.
Later on, stop over at Sanananda village to visit the war museum and enjoy Sanananda beautiful tropical gardens.
Picturesque Tufi Fjord is composed of deep inlets, known locally as "ria," formed through ancient volcanic activity. As the ship enters MacLaren Harbour, join a local guide on outrigger canoes as they paddle from the harbor to their remote village in the rainforest. Enjoy the village’s hospitality, with unique cultural performances and art markets.
Later on, explore through the fjords, soaking up the spectacular views before enjoying snorkeling or a little relaxation at a nearby resort.
The Trobriand Islands in the Milne Bay province are historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’. The indigenous population of the islands lives a peaceful and very traditional lifestyle, ensuring their culture remains unchanged. Visit Kitava Island and visit the excellent markets there, which will reveal great artifacts.
Join the Expedition Team on a walk to the Dei Dei Hot Springs on Ferguson Island, where guides share the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs.
At Dobu Island learn of the history of the Kula Ring. View the decorative art adorning the local houses and canoes, and meet the local children as they perform a traditional dance. Later there will be snorkeling at the Bubbling Springs Reef.
Today, say your farewell to Papua New Guinea from the small island of Samarai, at the southern tip of Milne Bay.
Though hard to fathom, in its colonial prime, the tiny island of Samarai was once the region’s most important port. You have the option to join a guided tour of the colonial settlement or head to Deika Deika Island in the Xplorer for a leisurely swim.
As the ship makes its way across the Coral Sea back to Cairns the Expedition Team and guest lecturer hold presentations re-capping the adventure. Reminisce with new-found friends at the Captain’s farewell drinks.
Day 23: Cairns | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning at 7:00 am, arrive at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal disembarking at 8-8:30 am. Say farewell to your adventure discovering the culture and arts of New Guinea.
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.
$12,855
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Coral Deck Stateroom
Identical to the Promenade Deck Staterooms except for their location one deck below. These staterooms have twin portholes rather than picture windows.
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Promenade Deck Stateroom
Located below the Explorer deck and furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk, and armchair are included.
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Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
Comfortably furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk, and armchair are included.
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Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
Comfortably furnished with a junior King size bed which can be separated into two singles. A wardrobe, desk, and armchair are included.
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Bridge Deck Balcony Suite
Suites are equipped with a lounge area, minibar, and personal coffee machine. They have special King sized beds which can be separated into two singles.
Notes
Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day 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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
