13 Night Cruise sailing from Noumea to Rabaul aboard Oceanic Discoverer.

Melanesia - A Timeless Paradise
The legendary romance of the South Pacific seas is alive and well in this sparkling collection of treasure islands.

Here, time has stood still. Tradition and custom remain intact. Shy native wildlife thrives in virgin rainforests. Neon-coloured reef fish dart among the coral gardens of the calm, island lagoons. Village artisans create tribal artefacts in the slow, careful way their forebears taught them. Coffee workers sing as they walk in the flower-fragrant mornings to family plantations.

Festivals and events are celebrated with both wild enthusiasm and religious solemnity - and the traditional cup of kava.

Melanesia will charm and delight you. Rediscover ritual, peace, childlike enchantment and reawaken your senses to the warmth of the South Sea Islanders. Take a journey of discovery into the land where minutes and hours pass by ever so peacefully.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: New Caledonia - Noumea and Casey Island
Boarding commences at 9:00am for a 10:00am departure. Enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling or just relax on beautiful Casey Island. Tonight, join the Captain and crew for Welcome Aboard Cocktails.

Day 2: Lifou Island Tour
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 to the churches and beautiful bays. Lifou is sensational for snorkelling with a panorama of sea-life unsullied by man.

Day 3: Vanuatu - Tanna Island Volcano
As we approach Tanna Island we see our first signs of volcanic activity; hot springs bubbling beneath the surface. Travel ashore and land on the black volcanic beach of Port Resolution. Join our Expedition Leader and naturalists on a drive, local style, through the forest and up the slopes of Mount Yasur to view this active volcano that still regularly spews rocks and ash.

Day 4: Pentecost Island and Ancient Rituals
Witness the famous land diving ceremony, the traditional forerunner to the modern day 'bungee jump' which local people believe will ensure a bountiful yam harvest the following year. You may have the opportunity to see sand drawing, a traditional form of art on the island.

Day 5: Champagne Beach and Rainforest
The jewel of Vanuatu. We enjoy the splendour of this magnificent beach and a relaxing day with fantastic swimming, opportunities to explore with our guides and Expedition Leader or an optional tour with the locals.

Day 6: Ureparapara Island and 'Kastom' Dancing
Imagine cruising into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300m cliffs, Ureparapara is one of the most spectacular islands in Vanuatu. The only way to experience this island is by sea and visits from cruise ships are rare. Be entertained by the local people with dancing and join a guided walk to the top of the caldera.

Day 7: Solomon Islands - Nendo Island
Our welcome to 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.

Day 8: Santa Ana
The locals of Santa Ana, a small island southeast of San Cristobal, welcome us ashore with village warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns. Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. Join the naturalist for a guided walk across the island, through shady forests where a myriad of colourful orchids grow.

Day 9: Mangalonga Island and Resort
This morning we anchor off picturesque Mangalonga and savour a full day of in-water activities. Join a snorkel, SCUBA dive or a glass bottom boat tour before travelling ashore to Maravagi Resort where there is time to explore on a nature walk.

Day 10: Arnavon Islands Marine Reserve
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 snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 11: Ghizo and Kennedy Island
Discover tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of John F Kennedy who swam ashore with his crew after PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in WWII. We explore the sandy beaches and snorkel or dive over the coral reef. In the afternoon, we visit the small provincial capital on Ghizo Island. Wander through the open air markets, showcasing crafts by the legendary wood carvers.

Day 12: Buka Island and Bougainville
Travelling in the wake of 18th century French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville we sail the coast of Bougainville Island and embark on an expedition at the island of Buka.

Day 13: Lamassa 'Ogres' and Lambon Island
This morning we board Xplorer and make our way ashore at Lamassa for an unforgettable experience. We are greeted by spear-wielding ogres, an enactment of the greeting of the first Europeans to set foot on this land. Later we explore Lambon Island and its jungle clad beach. Keep an eye out for the island's bright green skinks and beautiful Barringtonia flowers. The island offers fantastic opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and SCUBA diving.

Day 14: Rabaul and Farewell
We enter magnificent Simpson Harbour early in the morning, passing the striking islands known as the Beehives. Our arrival in Rabaul at 8:00am marks the end of our voyage. If time permits, you may wish to take the opportunity to explore the 'ghost town' of Rabaul that lies under volcanic ash deposited when Mt Tavurvur erupted in 1994.

NOTE: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow the itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may effect the operation of the vessel.