Discover the Secrets of Melanesia 2027

Discover the Secrets of Melanesia - Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu 2027 Route

Prices From £10,025pp
October to November | 16 nights

Up To 20% Discount!

Single Cabins Available

Discover the Secrets of Melanesia - Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu 2027 Route

Aboard: Heritage Adventurer

Set sail aboard the Heritage Adventurer for an extraordinary journey into a realm that few will ever encounter. Here, ancient customs and intricately adorned dancers extend their warm embrace, inviting us to delve into the fascinating history, iconic World War II landmarks, diverse cultures, and captivating wildlife of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Join us on this remarkable 17-day expedition cruise for an authentic and unparalleled experience.

In the company of a team of expert naturalists, you will discover hidden archipelagos and remarkable locations such as Papua New Guinea’s legendary Sepik River, Bougainville Island, the New Georgia Islands, and Espiritu Santo, the inspiration for James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, to name just a few. Snorkel through stunning lagoons and reefs, discover incredible birdlife in a diverse array of habitats, and learn about the ways of life for numerous communities as you immerse yourself in the wonders of these captivating lands.

Please note: This itinerary shows the route taken for 2027 departures. 2026 departures are available, taking a slightly different route. Please enquire for full details.

Highlights

  • Discover the hidden gems of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on one unforgettable trip
  • Immerse yourself in a world of unique time-honoured traditions and elaborate customs, and learn all about the destinations’ traditional lifestyles, history and culture
  • Experience a kaleidoscope of cultures in Vanuatu, where more than 100 indigenous languages are spoken
  • Explore along spectacular reefs which are home to masses of fish and coral gardens of every colour
  • Incredible birding opportunities, especially in the Solomon Islands where you will find many endemic species
  • Optional specialised birding programme with customised excursions (fees apply)
  • Snorkelling and kayaking opportunities available

What's Included

  • One night's hotel stay in Cairns pre-voyage including dinner and breakfast
  • Flight from Cairns to Madang pre-voyage
  • Transfers to and from ship for arrival and departure
  • All meals on board ship and drinks with lunch and dinner
  • All excursions shown in itinerary
  • Programme of expert lectures and talks by noted naturalists

Up To 20% Discount!

Book select departures by 30th June and receive a 20% discount off premium suites, and 10% off all other cabins! Rates shown include discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st July 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. New bookings only, subject to availability. Discount applies to voyage cost only and does not apply to landing fees that are included in the trip cost. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Single Cabins Available

This vessel offers single occupancy cabins, which is a perfect option for solo travellers. Travelling alone is often the best way to see the world. No responsibilities, no difficult choices and no trying to please anyone else…just you, your itinerary and your adventurous spirit!

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Cairns, Australia | Fly to Madang, PNG
1 - 2Days

Cairns, Australia | Fly to Madang, PNG

Arrive independently to the urban tropical paradise of Cairns and transfer to your hotel for your included overnight stay. In the evening you will be invited to meet your fellow travellers and expedition guides for an included dinner in the hotel.

You may wish to arrive here a couple of days before your expedition begins to discover this wonderful area that is known as the gateway to natural wonders the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest.

After breakfast on day 2, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Madang, the self-appointed ‘Prettiest Town in the South Pacific’. Lying on an incredibly picturesque peninsula surrounded by islands and waterways, Madang offers the perfect introduction for our voyage. Enjoy a Madang and Environs tour to discover a thriving community renowned for its traditional artists, and the richness of its surrounding forests. Visits will include the Coastwatchers’ Memorial Light at Kalibobo, Madang museum and Bilbil Village. Spend some time exploring the markets before boarding Heritage Adventurer in the late afternoon. After time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship, your captain and expedition team will offer a briefing on what to expect on the voyage ahead.

Sepik River
3Day

Sepik River

Your first full day of exploration may well be on your highlights as you enjoy some time to fully appreciate the remarkable Sepik River, the longest in Papua New Guinea, getting to know all about the birds, wildlife and people that call it home. Flowing from the highlands to the Bismarck Sea, we will explore the river via Zodiac boat, following tributaries and channels in search of local wildlife. We will then make our way to Kopar Village to experience village life and enjoy their traditional Dragon Dance. The world-renowned artists of the region travel long distances to meet the ship and there will be the opportunity to purchase unique carvings, and more, directly from them.

Manus Island
4Day

Manus Island

Considered a jewel in Papua New Guinea’s crown, this seldom-visited remote island is home to a high proportion of endemic bird species, meaning today is likely to a special one for the birding enthusiasts among us.

Once the location of a detention centre, part of Australia’s ‘Pacific Solution’, life on Manus Island continues according to traditional customs. Now home to less than 1,000 people, the island is made up of 10 villages including Derimbat Village which we will visit to experience an elaborate welcoming ceremony and enjoy a walk around with a local guide to learn more about the unique way of life here.

New Hanover
5Day

New Hanover

Today is all about the remote, unspoilt allure of New Hanover, a little-visited gem within Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland archipelago. Expect a classic South Pacific blend of palm-lined white-sand beaches, brilliant turquoise lagoons, and jungle-covered interiors which offer an ideal setting for expedition-style exploration.

Go ashore to experience warm local welcomes and a genuine glimpse of village life, where many communities still follow traditional, subsistence lifestyles. Explore further by Zodiac, cruising waterways that reach deep into the island’s interior before stepping into dense rainforest in search of birdlife such as the Melanesian kingfisher, red-knobbed imperial pigeon, knob-billed fruit dove and mottled munia. Snorkelling also promises colourful rewards, with coral gardens alive with marine life including pipefish, nudibranchs and anemonefish. Later, be sure to spend time on deck as the ship threads the narrow passage between New Hanover and New Ireland.

Rabaul and Kokopo, New Britain
6Day

Rabaul and Kokopo, New Britain

Another day of spectacular landscapes and memorable moments awaits as we arrive in the dramatic flooded-caldera harbour of Rabaul, flanked by six beautiful cone-shaped volcanoes. Enjoy an unforgettable day of exploration as we visit the bubbling hot springs and make our way to Observatory Ridge to take in the magnificent views of the harbour. Accompanied by your expert guides, you will see fascinating reminders of the Japanese occupation here and visit the underground bunker that was the hiding place of Pearl Harbour commander, Yamamoto. We will also have time to see the site of the enormous volcanic eruption that all but destroyed Rabaul town, as well as joining the locals at the bustling Kokopo markets.

Nissan Island
7Day

Nissan Island

Drifting in the clear blue waters of the Buka Channel, Nissan Island is a remote tropical atoll washed by warm currents that attract abundant marine life. Few visitors make it here, and the reward is expedition-style access to pristine coral reefs and the chance to spot pelagic fish out in the surrounding seas.

Ashore, the island also holds poignant traces of its World War II past, when this region saw intense fighting before being retaken from Japanese forces by Allied troops. During our landing, meet the welcoming local communities across the island’s Balil villages, then join guided walks into the forest to look for the more elusive bird species found here. Later, snorkellers can slip into the water to explore the vibrant reef system fringing Nissan, alive with colour and reef-dwelling fish.

Bougainville Island
8Day

Bougainville Island

Today we explore Bougainville, an extraordinary and rarely visited corner of the Pacific whose long isolation has helped preserve much of its natural richness. This autonomous region within Papua New Guinea pairs rugged, jungle-clad landscapes with outstanding offshore reefs, creating a haven for biodiversity both on land and beneath the surface.

Situated east of Papua New Guinea’s mainland and just north of the Solomon Islands, Bougainville’s scattered islands and atolls are remote and difficult to reach, making them ideal for expedition cruising. Alongside time in nature, you’ll also gain insight into Bougainville’s close cultural connections with the Solomon Islands, reflected in local music, language and traditions.

New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands
9Day

New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands

Discover the unique allure of the volcanic New Georgia Islands, nestled within the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. These islands boast a captivating landscape featuring extensive reefs and lagoons, rugged terrain, and a profusion of winding rivers. For nature enthusiasts, Kolombangara Island promises an unforgettable adventure. Our itinerary includes a visit to the Imbu Rano Lodge and Conservation Area, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving the island's central peak, where you can embark on a quest to spot the elusive Roviana Rail, among other exclusive bird species.

Don't forget to stock up on the local currency beforehand, as you may wish to purchase some of the renowned wood and stone carvings crafted by the talented artisans of the Western Province, a must-have souvenir of your journey.

Tetepare Island
10Day

Tetepare Island

This afternoon we visit Tetepare Island, a wild, uninhabited sanctuary that has been without permanent settlement for around 150 years. Draped in rainforest and ringed by coral reefs, Tetepare is celebrated for the work of the Tetepare Descendants’ Association, a community-led conservation initiative that has earned international recognition for protecting both the island’s natural heritage and its archaeological sites.

Wildlife here is exceptional. The beaches provide nesting grounds for three turtle species, including the endangered leatherback, while the island and surrounding waters may reveal species such as dugongs, the world’s largest skink, and the endemic Tetepare white-eye. Time and conditions permitting, explore ashore and then finish the day with a memorable drift snorkel along the fringing reef, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity.

Malaita & Makira
11 - 12Days

Malaita & Makira

On day 11 we will arrive at mountainous Malaita, home to pristine rivers and intact tropical forests, and one-third of the Solomon’s total population. After a morning spent exploring the clear and calm waters that surround the island, in the afternoon we have been invited to spend some time with the world-renowned Kwaio People, led by Chief Esau, to learn all about their traditional way of life which the community have fiercely guarded alongside their ancestral lands. This invitation offers the rare privilege to discover some of the most authentic, yet innovative, communities in the region, and is possible only by your tour operator’s ongoing connection with the community and their assistance with the development of innovative community conservation programs.

The following day you will arrive at Port Mary on Santa Ana Island and enjoy a warm, traditional Solomon Islands welcome. Also known locally as Owaraha (Owa Raha), this beautiful coral island offers a relaxed day of exploration, blending cultural connection with time in nature and on the water.

Browse locally made handicrafts, wander through lush forest trails with your guides, and, if possible, visit the village school to meet local children and learn more about island life. There’s also time to swim or simply soak up the tropical setting. For birdwatchers, keep an eye out for species such as the Sooty Myzomela, Island Imperial Pigeon, Solomons Rufous Fantail and Chestnut-bellied Monarch, among others.

Nendö, Temotu Province
13Day

Nendö, Temotu Province

Lying to the south-east of the Solomon Islands we fill find the Santa Cruz Islands and Nendö, the largest island in this archipelago, and our last point of exploration in the Solomon Islands. We will go ashore here to join the locals in traditional dances and learn all about the manufacturing of red feather money which is sourced from the Scarlet Honeyeater that is found here.

Torres Islands, Vanuatu
14Day

Torres Islands, Vanuatu

Today we reach Vanuatu, the 4th and final country on your unforgettable Melanesia voyage. Our first stop here will take us to the Torres Islands, a rarely-visited pacific paradise and culturally rich area consisting of four main islets fringed with white sand beaches, clear azure waters, volcanic rock and cliffs topped with lush jungles. Our area for exploration here is Loh Island where we will memorably receive a warrior escort and welcome from the Chief and will 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 colourful headdresses are regarded by the villagers as having the highest of supernatural powers and are destroyed immediately at the end of the dance ceremony. We will then have time to enjoy tours of the village, surrounding island or snorkel Loh’s incredible underwater world.

Espiritu Santo
15Day

Espiritu Santo

On day 15 we will continue our exploration of Vanuatu as we reach Santo, the archipelago’s largest island and famously the setting for James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. This morning you can enjoy a walk along the famous powdery white sand of Champagne Beach and take a dip in the surrounding crystalline waters, before setting out on a Zodiac cruise to the iconic blue holes of Santo. For those with an interest in the history of the island, you may want to join a visit to Luganville and Million Dollar Point.

Ambrym
16Day

Ambrym

Today will be the last full day of your voyage and it will be a memorable one as we visit Ambrym, renowned throughout Vanuatu as being the island of volcanoes and magic. At Ranon on the northern coast, we plan to step ashore to take a walk through the forest which will bring us to the ‘arena’ where masked dancers emerge from the forest in a memorable spectacle. In this area the traditional Rom dance is still practised and custom carving is still prominent. We will spend the morning in the forests seeking out local birds and plants accompanied by your onboard naturalist, before enjoying a final snorkelling excursion in the marine life rich, crystal clear waters.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
17Day

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Your voyage concludes in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, where after breakfast this morning you will disembark and join your included transfer to the airport or a central location. Should you wish to extend your stay here, please let us know and we will be happy to help you arrange this.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Heritage Adventurer
Mid range vessel

Heritage Adventurer

Previously known as the MS Hanseatic, the Heritage Adventurer is a renowned authentic expedition ship. Purpose-built with ice-strengthened hull, the vessel combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Designed to match Heritage’s signature experiential expedition travel, the ship accommodates up to 140 guests in welcoming and spacious cabins that feature outside views, separate lounge areas, TVs, en-suite bathrooms and double or twin beds.

Communal areas include a lounge, two restaurant areas including an al-fresco bistro, gym and spa, lecture theatre, library, passenger lifts and outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Papua New Guinea adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

With countless travel experiences and an enduring hunger for adventure, Sheena knows exactly what’s needed to craft a holiday of a lifetime. Her experience and generosity of spirit are legendary and she’ll help you build an itinerary that will make all your dreams come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us
0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

text
close

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

Start your adventure here

From first ideas to final itinerary, we'll guide you every step of the way. Tell us where you'd love to go and a specialist will be in touch.

We take your privacy seriously. See our privacy policy for how we handle your data

Call Us
0161 568 2004
From outside UK:+44 1625 58 11 43

Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm Monday - Friday