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Islands of the South Pacific

Islands of the South Pacific

From AUD $13,190

Description

Our Islands of the South Pacific itinerary departing this coming December 3rd, 2018 pays homage to some of the trailblazing pioneers that explored these lands with the promise of being the first to discover new territories. This 16-night expeditionary voyage takes in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, where guests will discover the diverse traditional cultures and striking natural scenery of Melanesia. Throughout the expedition aboard Coral Discoverer, slip into hidden lagoons, visit colourful coral reefs and walk volcanic calderas with our expedition team.

Trip Name
Islands of the South Pacific
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 63 metres Passenger Capacity: 72 (in 36 rooms) Built: 2005 / Refurbished: 2016 Launched in 2005, Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark standard for small ship cruising in Australia. Refurbished in November 2016, she continues to raise the bar to new levels of sophistication in expedition cruising in the Southern Hemisphere. The 1800-tonne Coral Discoverer is the grand vision of Coral Expeditions, pioneers in expedition and adventure cruises around Australia, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia. Her shallow draught and manoeuvrability allow her to go where larger vessels cannot. Her tender vessel, Xplorer, can seat all 72 passengers for excursions to beaches and rivers. Coral Discoverer is equipped with latest technology active stabilisers to ensure comfortable cruising in open waters and is fitted with modern safety and navigation equipment and wireless internet facilities. Coral Discoverer was built to the exacting international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards and specifications in Cairns, Australia, with one aim in mind; to create the ultimate small ship cruising experience. Australian flagged, and staffed entirely by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be unique. After the refurbishment, the Sun Deck has evolved to become a new social space and the hub of on board community living. This area has been converted into an undercover deck area complete with round ‘Explorer Bar’ with bar stools and sun deck with lounges and an area for outdoor exercise equipment. Guest accommodation has also received a substantial upgrade with the addition of six Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms providing coveted inside/outside living quarters. Each of our other Stateroom grades has also received a full upgrade with updated bathroom fixtures, soft furnishings and artwork making for an even more comfortable stay on board Coral Discoverer. The Coral Discoverer offers five different grades of staterooms, ranging from Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms to Main Deck Staterooms. Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms are on the top deck and have private balconies opening out from french windows. All rooms are furnished with contemporary flair and feature original artwork, a small private en-suite, individually-controlled air-conditioning, an iPod dock, ample storage and Australian toiletries. All staterooms are serviced daily. Each stateroom is spacious, sized between 15sqm (161 square feet) to 20 sqm (215 square feet) and has either a balcony, feature picture windows or porthole windows. Most staterooms can be configured to either junior king or twin bedding. FACILITIES ON BOARD > Sun Deck with undercover area, sun lounges and ample seating > Three fully stocked cocktail bars, including brand new round Explorer Bar on Sun Deck > Spacious, modern dining room, recently refurbished > Forward lounge > Reference library > Gift shop > Open bridge > Workout Area > Wireless internet available for laptops, mobile devices or via onboard guest computer > Limited laundry facilities available > SCUBA diving department (selected itineraries)

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: CAIRNS
Board Coral Discoverer at 8:00am for a 9:00am departure. As we leave Cairns behind take the opportunity to explore your new home for the next 16 nights. Meet the crew and your fellow passengers at evening drinks before sitting down to the first of many delicious dinners.
Day 2 - DAY 2: AT SEA
Spend the day at leisure as we cross the Coral Sea and join our Expedition Leader and knowledgeable Guest Lecturers in the lounge for presentations and briefings on Papua New Guinea ahead of our arrival at Samarai Island
Day 3 - DAY 3: SAMARAI ISLAND AND SEWA BAY PNG
After clearing into Papua New Guinea, we will steam to Normanby Island to spend the afternoon at beautiful Sewa Bay. Visit a traditional village and be welcomed with song and dance at the local school.
Day 4 - DAY 4: EGUM ATOLL & ISLET - PNG
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as we discover spectacular Egum Atoll and Islet, and enjoy our first opportunities for snorkelling over the reef, SCUBA diving and glass bottom boat tours in the clear tropical waters.
Day 5 - DAY 5: LAUGHLIN ISLANDS – BODALUNA ISLAND - PNG
Laughlin 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.
Day 6 - DAY 6: GHIZO AND NJARI REEF – SOLOMON ISLANDS
This morning, after being cleared into the Solomon Islands, we will go ashore in the provincial town of Ghizo. We will wander through the open-air markets, showcasing crafts by the legendary wood & stone carvers of the region. A wander through the food markets is also a must. Ghizo Town is a wonderful example of a shanty town.As we sit down for lunch, we make our way past tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of former US president John F Kennedy. Kennedy swam ashore with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during World War II. In the afternoon, enjoy in-water activities on Njari Island.
Day 7 - DAY 7: ESTRELLA BAY – SANTA ISABEL ISLAND - SOLOMON ISLANDS
Today we explore the coastline of remote Santa Isabel Island, which Mendana’s expedition first sighted in February, 1568. Mendana landed at Estrella Bay and built a small brigantine for exploring the rest of the Solomons.
Day 8 - DAY 8: MANGALONGA - SOLOMON ISLANDS
This morning we anchor off picturesque Mangalonga and savour a full day of in-water activities. Join a snorkel tour, SCUBA dive or glass bottom boat tour before travelling ashore to Maravagi Resort where there is time to explore on a nature walk. Mendana’s expedition first sited the Florida Group Islands from the brigantine Santiago in April 1568.
Day 9 - DAY 9: MALAITA ISLAND - SOLOMON ISLANDS
Malaita is another island of primordial beauty, with a mountainous interior leading down to coastal plains. We will visit the Langa Langa Lagoon: the ‘saltwater people’ here live on small sandbar islands, where they were forced to flee from the head-hunters of mainland Malaita. The locals here are known for their ship-building and shell-money making.
Day 10 - DAY 10: MARAU SOUND – GUADALCANAL ISLAND - SOLOMON ISLANDS
As we cruise to Guadalcanal Island learn about the fierce fighting that took place here during World War II. Follow in Mendana’s footsteps as we enter the picturesque Marau Sound, an area of unspoiled beauty and turquoise waters teeming with colourful fish and coral. Snorkel, SCUBA and kayak in this remote marine haven.
Day 11 - DAY 11: SAN CRISTOBAL AND SANTA ANA - SOLOMON ISLANDS
The locals of Star Harbour, a small village in the southeast of San Cristobal, welcome us ashore this morning. We enjoy a colourful cultural performance before exploring the village. Meet the children at the local school and learn about the harbour’s WWII history as a US base. Then, enjoy a scenic zodiac ride through surrounding mangrove-lined creeks, whilst the more energetic may wish to join a longer hike around the harbour. Later meet the locals on the nearby island of Santa Ana, which is known for its bone fish hooks and imaginative fishing floats.
Day 12 - DAY 12: NENDO – SOLOMON ISLANDS
Our last stop in the Solomon Islands, Nendo Island is an excellent location to view and purchase quality artefacts. We enjoy a cultural performance and an opportunity to snorkel from the beach.
Day 13 - DAY 13: UREPARAPARA - VANUATU
Imagine cruising into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300 meter cliffs, Ureparapara is one of the most spectacular islands in the South Pacific. The only way to experience this island is by sea, and visits from cruise ships are rare. After travelling ashore to the village we will be entertained by the local people with dancing and music, before joining a guided walk around the volcano.
Day 14 - DAY 14: CHAMPAGNE BEACH – ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND - VANUATU
The jewel of Vanuatu, we enjoy the splendour of magnificent Champagne Beach with a day full of fantastic swimming, snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. The adventurous may wish to join our Dive Instructor for a dive over the corals. You may also wish to participate in a guided walk with local guides through the rainforest to the popular swimming spot ‘Blue Hole’.
Day 15 - DAY 15: MALEKULA - VANUATU
We 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. We anchor at the Maskelyne Islands and enjoy the opportunity for snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours.
Day 16 - DAY 16: TANNA ISLAND VOLCANO - VANUATU
This morning we approach Tanna Island and see our first signs of volcanic activity, hot springs bubbling beneath the surface. Today we are in for a real once-in-a-lifetime experience as we board Xplorer and travel ashore to land on Tanna Island’s black volcanic beach. After our landing at Port Resolution, we are met by the villagers, who drive us, local style in the back of their trucks, up through the forest of the lower reaches of Mt Yasur’s active volcano. Continuing on foot, our Expedition Leader guides us to the rim of the caldera, where we peer into the heart of the volcano and its lava pools, which regularly spew ash and rocks. Upon returning to the village we spend time with the locals and learn about their interesting customs, including their worship of Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who they believe is a divine spirit.
Day 17 - DAY 17: NOUMEA – NEW CALEDONIA
Disembark at 3pm in the Noumea, capital of New Caledonia.
Day 18 - Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Main Deck B
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Main Deck A
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Promenade B
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Promenade A
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Bridge Deck Balcony
03-12-201819-12-2018AUD $0Promenade Deck B Sole

Inclusions

    • Discover spectacular underwater worlds at remote snorkelling and diving locations at Egum Atoll and Mangalonga
    • Visit the open-air markets at Gizo and see the legendary wood and stone carvings
    • Learn about historical 14th century voyages that charted the Solomon Islands
    • Be welcomed by the ‘saltwater people’ of Langa Langa Lagoon
    • Experience magnificent cultural performances throughout the Solomons and Vanuatu
    • Swim in the sparkling waters of Champagne Beach and walk through the surrounding rainforest

Map