This voyage uncovers the pristine wildlife and remote coral atolls and beaches of the idyllic Melanesia region. The expedition will also commemorate the 75th Anniversary of WWII with time to explore the wrecks and remnants of the war in the Pacific theater, and expert guides on hand to discuss the various battle sites, historical significance, and strategies. Traveling aboard the Coral Discoverer, depart from Honiara, Solomon Islands, and journey to key stops in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Highlights
Snorkel and dive in coral gardens and relax on tropical beaches at Nendo
Snorkel and kayak the marine reserves of spectacular Marau Sound
Hear traditional pan-pipe performances at Malaita
Get up close to active volcanoes at Nguna Island and Tanna Island
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Before embarking the Coral Discoverer, enjoy the optional extra of a battlefields tour to key sites from the 1942 Guadalcanal campaign. Visit sites such as Edson’s Bloody Ridge, the U.S. War Memorial at Skyline Ridge, or the Japanese Peace Park Memorial at Mt. Austin.
Board the Coral Discoverer at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure.
Tulagi Island is home to significant World War II history, with fighting occurring here as a prelude to the Battle of the Coral Sea. The original capital of the Solomon Islands, Tulagi, was severely damaged in WWII.
There is excellent scuba diving here, over wrecks of U.S. Navy ships. Sightings of large manta rays are also possible.
Cruise through the scenic Mboli passage, where there is beautiful lush rainforest covering the hills and small villages under the palm trees. The passage itself contains much ship wreckage.
Today, visit the saltwater people of Langa Langa Lagoon. Living on small artificial islands built from sand bars, the residents here are known for shell money making, ‘shark worship’ beliefs, and ship-building skills. Be immersed in the islander’s way of life; witness a warrior welcome, traditional food preparation, fire-making, face tattooing, shell money making, dancing, and panpipe performances. The lagoon also provides opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
This beautiful passage between Big Malaita and Small Malaita islands has its own unique environment. Legends surround the creation of this passage, and the reefs close by are home to the romo (shells) from which money is made. You may enjoy panpipe and kastom performances, basket weaving demonstrations in the village, snorkeling at Onemaruha and an Xplorer cruise through the Maramasike Passage.
Located in the eastern tip of Gaudalcanal, this geographical crossroad separates Gaudalcanal’s calm northern waters from the Tasi Mauri or "weather coast." Five protected marine reserves have been established in Marau Sound, and you will have opportunities for snorkeling in the exquisite turquoise waters. Enjoy a visit to a village on Marapa Island or visit Conflict Bay.
The locals of Na Mugha, Star Harbour, welcome you ashore this morning. Enjoy a colorful cultural performance before exploring the village. Meet the children at the local school and learn about the harbor’s WWII history as a U.S. Army base. Enjoy a scenic zodiac ride through the surrounding mangrove-lined creeks or hike around the edge of the scenic harbor.
Nendo is the largest of the Santa Cruz group of islands, where Alvaro de Mendana unsuccessfully tried to start a colony in 1595. Your last stop in the Solomon Islands, Nendo is known for its particularly fine artifacts, and this is a good opportunity to purchase from the local makers. At Luowa Village, enjoy a cultural performance and snorkel from the white sandy beach.
Enter Vanuatu at the remarkable Ureparapara, an extinct stratovolcano rising 764 meters from the ocean floor. Cruise into the cone of the extinct volcano, surrounded on three sides by 300-meter cliffs. This spectacular island can only be experienced by sea. Enjoy a warm welcome from the villages and the opportunity to witness the local women perform the "water music" in the sea.
Today, visit Million Dollar Point, where the U.S. Navy’s millions of dollars worth of war equipment was scuttled. The wreckage has turned to reef, and nearby is the wreck of the troopship SS President Coolidge.
Enjoy a day of swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
Tanna Island is home to the active volcano Mount Yasur, and the volcanic soil here is very fertile, supporting crops of kava, coffee, coconut, copra and other fruits and vegetables.
Here, learn about the unique Tannese culture and the John Frum Cargo Cult. Visit the local villages at Sulphur Bay and then drive through the forest and up the slopes of Tanna. A short walk brings you to the smoking crater – a rare opportunity to gaze into a live volcano.
Day 12: Port Vila | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning, arrive in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu.
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 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
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
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.
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