Discover the Secrets of Melanesia

Arrive in the urban tropical paradise of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest. Proceed to the hotel to check in for the first night of the expedition. This evening, join fellow voyagers and expert guides for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel prior to the flight to Madang, a picturesque peninsula bordered by islands and waterways. Discover a thriving community renowned for traditional artists and rich forests. Upon arrival, embark on a tour of Madang and its surroundings, including the Coastwatchers’ Memorial Light at Kalibobo, the Madang Museum, and Bilbil Village, before exploring the local markets. Board the ship to settle into the cabin and become familiar with the vessel. Meet the Expedition Team and review the voyage plans before joining the group in the Observation Lounge or on the Observation Deck as the ship sets sail for the Sepik River.

Sure to be one of the highlights of your expedition, you have allowed plenty of time to fully appreciate this remarkable river, its birds, animals and the people that call it home. The Sepik River, the longest in Papua New Guinea, flows from the highlands to the Bismarck Sea. It is a rich arterial river that has fostered great traditional artists. You plan to explore the river by Zodiac, following tributaries and channels in search of local wildlife. Enjoy a warm welcome at Kopar Village where you can experience village life and a traditional Dragon Dance unique to this region. Bring along plenty of the local currency (kina) to purchase unique carvings directly from the artists.

Seldom visited and little known, Manus Island is considered a jewel in the crown of Papua New Guinea. Biologically isolated the Manus Province is home to a high proportion of endemic species and your stop here is likely to be a birding highlight. Once the location of a detention center, part of Australia’s ‘Pacific Solution’, life on Manus Island continues according to traditional customs. Comprised of 10 villages and a population of less than 1,000, your visit to Derimbat Village includes taking part in an elaborate welcoming ceremony before exploring their village and unique way of life with a local guide.

Today, explore the remote beauty of Tsoilik Island, nestled within the New Ireland archipelago in the New Hanover District of Papua New Guinea. This secret South Pacific paradise combines coconut tree studded spectacular white sand beaches surrounded by stunning turquoise water and wildlife filled jungles to explore. Options include enjoying the warm hospitality and an authentic slice of village life with the locals who enjoy a subsistent, traditional lifestyle, exploring dense rainforest searching for birdlife and trying your hand at paddling a traditional outrigger canoe and basket weaving or just exploring this unspoiled tropical paradise. A highlight is exploring the vibrant underwater world of colorful corals and marine life drift snorkeling along the outer reef edge alongside Pipefish, Nudibranchs and Anemone Fish. Make sure you are out on deck to experience your thrilling passage as you sail through the narrow passage separating New Hanover from New Ireland as your adventure continues.

Six beautiful cone-shaped volcanoes ring Rabaul’s dramatic, flooded-caldera harbor. Visit the bubbling hot springs and take in the magnificent views of the harbor and volcanoes from Observatory Ridge. As you explore the island, you can see fascinating reminders of the Japanese occupation, your tour taking in the site of the enormous volcanic eruption that all but destroyed Rabaul town, the underground bunker that was the hiding place of Pearl Harbor commander, Yamamoto, and joining the locals shopping at the bustling Kokopo markets.

A tropical atoll adrift in the azure waters of the Buka Channel, Nissan Island is bathed in rich tropical currents that abound in marine life. Seldom have outsiders had the opportunity to discover this world promising abundant pelagic fish-life and pristine coral reefs. Ashore there are still reminders of the brief, but intensive, World War II activities during which the islands were recaptured by Kiwi, Australian and British forces from the Japanese occupiers. During your time ashore, meet with the friendly locals from all three of the island’s Balil Villages and search the dense woods for some of the elusive birds that occur here. Later the snorkelers will find plenty to discover in the coral reefs that surround Nissan.

Today, discover the treasures of Bougainville, long isolated and in a strange way protected due to the conflict which swirled around its shores. High on many travellers’ wish lists, this autonomous region within Papua New Guinea magnificently marries rugged, jungled terrain with amazing coral reefs offshore and is home to some of the greatest biodiversity in the region both above and below the water. Lying to the east of the country’s mainland and north of the Solomon Islands, it comprises two main islands and several outlying islands and atolls making it both remote and hard to reach, but perfect for exploration by expedition ship. Discover Bougainville’s strong ties and connections with the Solomon Islands, which is reflected in their music, culture and language.

The volcanic New Georgia Islands are found in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands and are characterized by extensive reefs and lagoons, rugged terrain and an abundance of rivers. Nature enthusiasts will relish landing on Kolombangara Island, where you plan to visit the Imbu Rano Lodge and Conservation Area which protects the islands central peak and search for the rare Roviana Rail along with other endemic bird species. Stock up on the local currency to purchase the wood or stone carvings that the people of the Western Province are famous for.

Uninhabited for 150 years, this rugged island cloaked in rainforest and fringed with coral reefs is home to one of the Solomon Islands’ leading community-driven conservation projects Tetepare Descendants’ Association. Receiving international recognition for its conservation and archaeological significance, three species of turtle, including the endangered leatherback, nest on its beaches while other species inhabiting the island and surrounding waters include dugong, the world’s largest skink, endemic Tetepare White-eye and many more. A highlight of your voyage, this afternoon you plan to explore and and enjoy a drift snorkel of the fringing reef with its outstanding marine biodiversity.

Mountainous Malaita is home to one-third of the Solomon’s total population and features pristine rivers and unexploited tropical forests. This morning, you plan to explore the clear and calm waters that surround the island. In the afternoon, you hope to be invited by the world-renowned Kwaio People, led by Chief Esau, to discover their traditional way of life which the community have fiercely guarded alongside their ancestral lands. This invitation represents a rare privilege and is made possible by the team ongoing connection with the community and assistance with the development of innovative community conservation programs. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time in the company of some of the most authentic, yet innovative, communities in the region.

Makira is the most easterly of the main islands in the Solomon’s archipelago. This morning, you anchor in the calm waters of Star Harbor. Join the naturalists for a Zodiac exploration of the abundant mangrove forests that line the shores, and take a short walk to Makira’s south coast where the villagers live much as they have for millennia. Spend time with the locals, who shares with you their traditional song and dance. If you are lucky, the local boys might be surfing on their hand-carved palm wood boards.

Nendö is the largest of the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie to the south-east of the Solomon Islands. The Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira unsuccessfully attempted to establish a colony in 1595. Biologically these islands share more in common with Vanuatu. It is also the home of red feather money, sourced from the Scarlet Honeyeater. Watch the manufacture of red feather money, and join the locals in dances which reverberate through the ages.

Sail to the rarely-visited pacific paradise and culturally rich Torres Islands, Vanuatu’s northernmost islands. A collection of four main islets fringed with white sand beaches, clear azure waters, volcanic rock and cliffs topped with lush tangled jungles, your destination is Loh Island. After a warrior escort and welcome from the Chief, experience the thrilling and rarely witnessed cultural wonder of the lēh-temēt – vibrant ritual headdresses known as temēt (primordial spirits) used during special singing and dancing ceremonial rituals. The colorful headdresses are regarded by the villagers as having the highest of supernatural powers and are destroyed immediately at the end of the dance ceremony. You can have time to enjoy tours of the village, surrounding island or snorkel Loh’s incredible underwater world.

Today, explore Vanuatu’s largest Island, Santo; location of James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Indulge in a swim in the crystalline waters of Champagne Beach with its famed powdery white sand. This afternoon, enjoy Zodiac cruises to the iconic blue holes of Santo. For those with an interest in the history of the island, there is a visit to Lugainville and Million Dollar Point.

Today, visit Ambrym, renowned as the island of volcanoes and magic throughout Vanuatu. You plan to head ashore at a secret location on the northern coast where the traditional Rom dance is still practiced and custom carving is alive and well. A walk through the forest brings you to the ‘arena’ where masked dancers emerge from the forest. The forests of Ambrym offer some excellent walks to go in search of the local birds and plants, accompanied by your naturalists. This afternoon enjoy a final snorkel excursion.

Arrive in Port Vila and disembark after breakfast. Upon disembarking a transfer to the central city hotel or the airport will conclude your voyage. To allow sufficient time for disembarkation procedures, flights from Port Vila should not be scheduled before midday.