Vanuatu, Solomons, New Britain & Bougainville - Coral Expeditions

Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
29 Jan 2026	Port Vila Vanuatu	Embark
30 Jan 2026	Tanna Island, Vanuatu
31 Jan 2026	Nguna Island, Vanuatu
1 Feb 2026	Malekula Island, Vanuatu
2 Feb 2026	Maewo Island, Vanuatu
3 Feb 2026	Moto Lava, Vanuatu	And Rah Island
4 Feb 2026	At Sea
5 Feb 2026	Santa Ana Is, Solomons
6 Feb 2026	Marau Sound, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
7 Feb 2026	Malaita Island, Soloman Islands
8 Feb 2026	Russell Islands, Solomon Islands
9 Feb 2026	Arnavon Islands, Solomon Islands
10 Feb 2026	Choiseul Bay, Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands
11 Feb 2026	Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea
12 Feb 2026	Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea
13 Feb 2026	Rabaul, Papua New Guinea	And Duke of York Islands
14 Feb 2026	Rabaul, Papua New Guinea	Disembark	Fly to Cairns
14 Feb 2026	Cairns, Qld, Australia

16 Night Cruise sailing from Port Vila to Rabaul aboard Coral Adventurer.

Sail north aboard Coral Adventurer as we embark on a 16-night expedition through the remote and less visited outer islands of Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and into the captivating region of Bougainville. Along the way experience striking landscapes, pristine islands and reefs, unique wildlife and small island communities lost in time with rich cultural traditions to share. Climb spectacular Mount Yasur volcano at Tanna Island, followed by an exhilarating dive and snorkel around Nguna Island. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of local villages with captivating performances like the women’s Water Dance at Marau Sound, and the famous Snake Dance of Rah Island. Partake in conservation efforts by helping release turtle hatchlings at the Arnarvon Islands, visit historic World War II battle sites and learn about Malaita’s headhunting past. We spend two days in the rarely visited Autonomous Region of Bougainville to explore its cultural and natural wonders and tumultuous history. Our voyage closes in New Britain’s historic Rabaul – learn about the catastrophic eruption of Mount Tavurvur in 1994 and see a view of the harbour from the volcano observatory.

Enjoy the warm Australian hospitality of our crew, learn from our expert guides who share their knowledge, indulge in fresh locally inspired cuisine, and the company of like-minded explorers on this unique and immersive expedition experience.

Adventure Made Easy – Includes hosted 2 hour and 30 minute charter flight departing Rabaul to Cairns, Medical professionals onboard and links to Visa and Health information.

- Witness the power of nature as you gaze into the depths of an active volcano on Tanna Island.
- Discover the hidden gems of Maewo Island, renowned for its pristine waterfalls and sea caves.
- Immerse yourself in Vanuatu’s rich culture with a mesmerising performance of the famous snake dance on Rah.
- Watch the women perform the Water Dance at Marau Sound, and snorkel over colourful coral gardens enriched by the currents of the ‘Tasi Mauri’ or ‘weather coast’.
- Contribute to conservation efforts by releasing turtle hatchlings at the Arnavon Islands.
- Embark on a two-day exploration of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
- Tour the deserted ‘ghost town’ district of Rabaul before journeying to Kokopo, including visits to the war museum and volcano observatory.

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. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.

Launched in April 2019, Coral Adventurer is a tropical expedition ship purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores in Australia and internationally, that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels.

Coral Adventurer features spacious and vibrant living spaces created by Brisbane interior design firm, Arkhefield, inspired by the company’s Australian ethos and the wide-open spaces the ship visits. The ship’s lightweight dual Xplorer expedition tenders, another trademark feature of all Coral Expeditions vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable and developed to allow easy boarding from the ship and walk-off disembarkation onto remote shores.

The perfect balance between being large enough for ocean voyaging in comfort yet creating the intimate and relaxed atmosphere for which Coral Expeditions is renowned, Coral Adventurer embodies our Australian philosophy of adventure, relaxation, generosity, storytelling, and appreciation for the great outdoors. Carrying a maximum of 120 passengers – Coral Adventurer is purpose-built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style, and safety.

Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.

While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.

A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS
At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.

OUR HOME TURF
When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.

OUR SMALL SHIPS
At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.

OUR CREW
Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.

OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES
We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.

THE FUTURE
As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!