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Heritage Adventurer, 16 Night Discover the Secrets of Melanesia ex Cairns, Qld, Australia to Port Vila Vanuatu
Cruise Heritage Adventurer, 16 Night Discover the Secrets of Melanesia ex Cairns, Qld, Australia to Port Vila Vanuatu
Cruise Line Heritage Expeditions
Ship Heritage Adventurer
Destination South Pacific & New Zealand
Brief Description 16 Night Cruise sailing from Cairns, Qld, Australia onboard Heritage Adventurer
Type of Cruise Expedition
Departure Date 15 Oct 2025
Cruise Description This departure is from Cairns-Madang to Port Vila.

Sail into a world few ever experience as we explore the rich history, cultures and wildlife of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on this 17-day authentic expedition cruise. Visit idyllic islands and isolated villages where unique time-honoured traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome us into their world. From the culturally rich arterial of the Sepik River we sail across the Bismarck Sea exploring remote shores and villages still living traditional lifestyles, and delve into the history, culture and wildlife of New Ireland and New Britain.
Crossing the Buka Channel at Nissan Island we see reminders of intensive World War II action, then enter a long-isolated world as we are among the first travellers to return to Bougainville in more than two decades. Sailing through the turquoise waters of the Solomon Islands, new vistas and unexpected encounters await. Discover one of the conservation jewels of the South Pacific on Tetepare Island, while villagers on culturally-rich Malaita Island still make and use traditional Malaitan shell-money as a dowry and wear it as a status symbol. Experience a kaleidoscope of cultures as we explore Vanuatu, where more than 100 indigenous languages are spoken. With over 80 habitable islands, islanders have closely guarded their own cultures and languages. Our expedition embraces some of these cultures and languages, as we explore one of the happiest places on the planet.
Throughout Melanesia there are spectacular reefs, which are home to masses of fish and coral gardens of every colour. These waters offer some of the greatest marine diversity and snorkelling in the world and everybody will have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty beneath the waves. Whether you are snorkelling or swimming, this ocean aquarium is waiting to be explored and discovered. For birders, this itinerary offers once-in-a-lifetime species on remote islands where few have been before, and endemic birdlife such as the Solomon Sea Eagle, or the Vanikoro White-eye, may be seen. The birding potential is exceptional, and to allow birders to maximise the opportunities on the expedition there is an optional specialised birding programme with customised excursions. This expedition includes the option to join a sea kayaking excursion with an expert guide. Kayakers are rewarded with tranquil, tropical settings and are a source of fascination to the locals who often paddle their canoes out to join them, and invite them back to their villages.

***Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.***
Sailing Dates
15 Oct 2025
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
SS AU $27,650 ‐ ‐ ‐
D5S ‐ AU $21,500 ‐ ‐
WS ‐ AU $27,650 ‐ ‐
HS ‐ AU $37,000 ‐ ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
15 Oct 2025 Cairns, Qld, Australia
16 Oct 2025 Cairns, Qld, Australia
16 Oct 2025 Madang, Papua New Guinea
17 Oct 2025 Sepik River, PNG
18 Oct 2025 Manus Island, Papua New Guinea
19 Oct 2025 Tsoilik Island, Solomon Islands
20 Oct 2025 Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
21 Oct 2025 Nissan Island, Papua New Guinea
22 Oct 2025 Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea
23 Oct 2025 New Georgia Islands, Solomons
24 Oct 2025 Tetepare, Solomon Islands
25 Oct 2025 Malaita Island, Soloman Islands
26 Oct 2025 San Cristobal, Solomon Islands
27 Oct 2025 Nendo Island, Solomon Islands
28 Oct 2025 Torres Islands, Vanuatu
29 Oct 2025 Espiritu Santo Island Vanuatu
30 Oct 2025 Ambrym Island Vanuatu
31 Oct 2025 Port Vila Vanuatu
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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