Melanesian Islands Explorer

Day 1: Cairns, Australia

Arrive in the tropical paradise city of Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest. Transfer to your hotel for the first night of the expedition where you will have an opportunity to meet your fellow voyagers and expedition guides over dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Cairns to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

After breakfast at the hotel, board your flight to Port Moresby, the bustling capital of Papua New Guinea. Enjoy a visit to the National Museum and Arts Centre, exhibiting one of the finest collections of primitive art in the world before boarding Heritage Adventurer in the afternoon.

The Captain and Expedition Team will be waiting to greet you on arrival. You will have time to settle in and familiarise yourself with the ship before an introductory meeting with your expedition team who will outline our voyage plans.

Days 3-4: Louisiade Archipelago, Deboyne and Tagula Islands

We will have a morning at sea which will provide an opportunity to look for seabirds with the possibility of seeing species such as Black Noddy, White and Great Crested Terns, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, Tahiti Petrel and Wedge-tailed Shearwater.

We plan to arrive during the early afternoon (of day 3) in the Louisiade Archipelago which stretch for 400 kilometres along the northern rim of the Coral Sea and is one of the great island arcs of the South Pacific.

Due to their remote location, these islands are rarely visited by outsiders, however, there are literally hundreds of islands, lagoons, extensive barrier reefs and this will be an opportunity to look for the first special birds of the voyage.

Our first afternoon is likely to be an opportunity for snorkelling and exploring ashore on a small island within the archipelago where our introduction to the birds could include seeing species such as Amboyna Cuckoo-dove, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove and White-chinned Myzomela. With the recent splitting of Collared Kingfisher into multiple species, we will also need to make sure we see the kingfishers here as these are now regarded as a localised endemic, Islet Kingfisher.

On our second day in this region, we intend to visit Tagula Island, which is not only the largest island in the archipelago but also home to five endemic bird species: Tagula Honeyeater, Tagula Butcherbird, Tagula Shrikethrush, Tagula Manucode and Tagula White-eye.

The island is also home to a significant number of endemic subspecies and other localised birds and whilst many of these species remain poorly known (due to the infrequency of visits to the island), we hope to find some of them.

Day 5: D’Entrecasteaux Islands

We will awake in the volcanic island chain of D’Entrecasteaux where we plan to visit an impressive geothermal area where hot springs and bubbling mud pools are surrounded by lush vegetation. Here we will have the opportunity to look for a range of species which could include Pacific Baza, Papuan Black Myzomela, New Guinea Friarbird, Puff-backed Honeyeater, Spectacled Longbill and Black-faced Monarch.

Nearby, there will be an opportunity to snorkel over areas where the springs flow out through small vents in the ocean floor sending bubbles towards the surface. This has been described as like “swimming in champagne” and the incredibly clear waters are home to an abundance of fish and some spectacular corals.

During the afternoon, we plan to visit Dobu Island, a small island which is only four kilometres across and there will be an opportunity to explore and learn about the fascinating anthropology of the island. New birds here could include Variable Goshawk, Papuan Eclectus, Tawny Grassbird, Red-capped Flowerpecker and Papuan Black Myzomela. We also hope to find Curl-crested Manucode, a highly localised Bird-of-Paradise which is only found in the D’Entrecasteaux and Trobriand Islands.

Day 6: Trobriand Islands

Located in the Solomon Sea, the remote Trobriand Islands have picture postcard white sand beaches, colourful villages, aquamarine water and spectacular marine life. There will be an opportunity to meet some of the islanders, watch time-honoured dances and learn about the ‘Kula Ring’, a pattern of ceremonial trading relationships that bind the islands with eastern Papua New Guinea in a long-established network of friendship.

Those who wish will be able to snorkel over a kaleidoscope of coral reefs populated by Parrotfish, Neon Damsels and other brilliantly coloured species, whilst for those wanting to look for birds the possibilities include White-bibbed Fruit Dove, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Beach Stone-curlew, Purple-bellied Lory and Black Sunbird.

Day 7: Woodlark (or Muyua) Island

The remote island of Muyua or Woodlark (the name coming from an Australian whaling ship which visited the island) is over 150 kilometres from the closest island of an equivalent size and retains extensive lowland forests, although sadly these remain under threat from international logging companies.

Given its relative isolation, it is believed that there are more than forty species which are endemic to the island including the endangered Woodlark Cuscus, seven endemic frogs, two endemic snakes and five endemic lizards.

Although no endemic birds are known from the island, we can still expect to see a range of specialities with the possibilities including Nicobar Pigeon, Superb Fruit Dove and Red-flanked Lorikeet. There will also be a further opportunity to look for the very localised Islet Kingfisher should we have failed to see this in the Louisiade Islands.

Day 8: Bougainville Island

Although politically Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea, from a biological perspective it has more in common with the Solomon Islands and after being closed to outsiders for many years (due to political problems), the island is now a welcoming destination.

Those on the birding excursion will head up a paved road to explore some mid-elevation forest and whilst the habitat is somewhat degraded, it still offers some excellent opportunities to find a range of localised species on an island that very few birders have had the opportunity to visit.

There are a number of birds which are endemic to Bougainville and nearby islands which we could see and these include Bougainville Rail, Bougainville Monarch, Bougainville Bush Warbler, Bougainville Crow and Bougainville White-eye. Other possibilities include Blyth’s Hornbill, Ultramarine Kingfisher, Meek’s Lorikeet, Solomons Cuckooshrike, Solomons Rufous Fantail and Yellow-throated White-eye.

Day 9: Kolombagara Island, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands

The volcanic New Georgia Islands are found in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands and we plan to spend the morning on the island of Kolombangara and explore the mid-elevation forests of the Imbu Rano Conservation Area where there are excellent chances to see a range of birds we are unlikely to encounter elsewhere. We have decent chances to find both Kolombangara and White-capped Monarchs and there is also the possibility of the elusive and highly localised Roviana Rail which was only described thirty years ago.

Flowering and fruiting trees can also be excellent for Duchess and Meek’s Lorikeets and it is worth spending time at a viewpoint where both Pale Mountain Pigeon and Blyth’s Hornbill can be seen with a degree of regularity as they fly across the valley below.

If we didn’t find it on Bougainville, there should be more chances for Sanford’s Sea-Eagle with Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon, Buff-headed Coucal, Solomons Cockatoo, Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot, Crimson-rumped Myzomela and Solomons Cuckooshrike amongst the other possibilities.

During the afternoon, there is likely to be the opportunity to snorkel the wreck of US Wildcat fighter from the Second World War and the surrounding reefs which have some of the highest fish counts in the world. There may also be the opportunity to explore a small island where we will hope to find some of the ‘tramp’ species which are only associated with the smaller islands with one of the possibilities being Island Monarch.

Day 10: Tetepare Island and Marovo Lagoon

Tetepare is a community run island reserve which like Kolombangara is located in the New Georgia Islands, however, being a lowland island, there will be a number of new Solomon endemics to look for including the highly localised Dark-eyed White-eye which is endemic to Tetepare and the adjacent island of Rendova.

Other possibilities include Melanesian Scrubfowl, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Island Imperial Pigeon, Buff-headed Coucal, Crimson-rumped Myzomela, White-winged Fantail and Kolombangara Monarch. If we are extremely fortunate, both Nicobar Pigeon and Solomons Nightjar are both present with clients on the 2023 voyage having some reasonable views of the nightjar, a bird which remains very poorly known and rarely seen.

The afternoon will concentrate on exploring Marovo Lagoon which is considered to be one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world. There is a unique, double-barrier reef surrounding the extinct volcanoes of the main central islands with a light-filled cave system teeming with marine life.

For those not wanting to snorkel and enjoy the outstanding marine biodiversity and coral reefs, there should be an opportunity to explore the complex of estuarine and island habitats and mangrove forests of the area in a quest for more birds.

Day 11: Malaita

The mountainous island of Malaita in the central part of the Solomon Island is home to one-third of the country’s total population but despite this it has pristine rivers and unexploited tropical forests.

Using a flat-bed truck as transport, we plan to head inland to look for some of the specialities which can be found on the island with those seen in 2023 including Woodford’s Rail, Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-bibbed Lory, Solomons Cockatoo, Steel-blue Flycatcher, Malaita White-eye, Moustached Treeswift, Brown-winged, Singing, Metallic and White-eyed Starlings and the recently split Sahul Sunbird.

In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity to visit the ancestral lands of the Kwaio and learn about the way of life of a people who have fiercely guarded their traditions. This is one of the most authentic communities in this region and is likely to be of interest to all, however, there should be the chance for some opportunistic birding for those who wish to do so.

Day 12: Makira

Makira is the most easterly of the main islands in the Solomons archipelago and during the morning Heritage Adventurer will anchor in the calm waters of Star Harbour at the extreme eastern end of the island.

Here there will be the opportunity to use the ship’s fleet of zodiacs to explore the abundant mangrove forests that line the shores and take a short walk where we can expect to find a number of species which are endemic to Makira with the possibilities including White-headed Fruit-Dove, Sooty Myzomela, Makira Honeyeater and Makira Starling. Other species we could find include Black Bittern, Melanesian Megapode, Island Imperial Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-bibbed Fruit-Dove, Yellow-bibbed Lory, Duchess Lorikeet, Pacific Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Monarch (sometimes split as Makira Monarch), Solomons Rufous Fantail, Cardinal Myzomela and Metallic Starling.

Day 13: Nendo, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands

Nendö is the largest of the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie to the south-east of the main group of islands in the Solomon Islands and our primary goal will be to find Santa Cruz White-eye and Sanford’s White-eye both of which are endemic to the island and not uncommon. We also stand a good chance of finding both Rusty-winged Starling and Temotu Whistler which are only found on Nendo and a handful of other remote islands.

We will also want to be looking and listening out for the extremely poorly known Santa Cruz Shrikebill which the local people are undoubtedly familiar with even though there are considered to be no recent records of this species. We also hope to find the recently split and very localised Santa Cruz Fantail which was previously regarded as a subspecies of Rufous Fantail.

Other possibilities include Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, Pacific Emerald Dove, Red-bellied Fruit-Dove, Pacific Imperial Pigeon, Coconut Lorikeet, Pacific Kingfisher, Cardinal Myzomela and Polynesian Triller.

Day 14: Torres Islands, Vanuatu

During the night the ship will head south for the rarely-visited Torres Islands which are Vanuatu’s northernmost islands. There are four main islets fringed with white sand beaches, clear azure waters, volcanic rock and cliffs topped with lush tangled jungles and our intended destination is the largely uninhabited Loh Island which is less than seven kilometres long.

After a warrior escort and welcome from the Chief, we will experience the rarely witnessed cultural wonder of the lēh-temēt, where vibrant ritual headdresses known as temēt (primordial spirits) are used during special singing and dancing ceremonial rituals. The colourful headdresses are regarded by the villagers as having the highest of supernatural powers and after this unique welcome ceremony we will have time to explore.

There will be an opportunity to enjoy a tour of the village and surrounding island, snorkel Loh’s incredible underwater world or look for birds with the species seen in 2023 including Vanuatu Megapode, Red-bellied Fruit-Dove, Pacific Imperial Pigeon, Coconut Lorikeet, Pacific Kingfisher, Satin Swiftlet, Cardinal Myzomela and Long-tailed Triller.

Day 15: Espiritu Santo

Today we plan to explore Vanuatu’s largest Island, Espiritu Santo and plan to explore a conservation area on the eastern side of the island. A great selection of specialities are possible here including Vanuatu Megapode, Red-bellied Fruit-Dove, Tanna Fruit-Dove, Pacific Imperial Pigeon, Vanuatu Kingfisher, Buff-bellied Monarch, Melanesian Flycatcher, Melanesian Whistler, Vanuatu Streaked Fantail, South Melanesian Cuckooshrike and Vanuatu White-eye.

During the afternoon, there will be several options including a visit to the “Blue Holes of Santo”, natural freshwater springs where the meandering streams that emerge are an incredible colour.

Day 16: Ambrym

The final island of this epic voyage is Ambryn, a modest sized volcanic island to the southeast of Espirito Santo.

It will be well worth being out on deck on the approach as this will be the last chance to look for seabirds with the the possibilities include Streaked, Wedge-tailed and Melanesian Shearwaters as well as Sooty Terns.

We plan to land at Ranon on the northern coast where traditional dances are still practiced and there will be the opportunity to watch masked dancers in a ‘forest arena’.

There will also be a opportunity to go in search of island specialities with Vanuatu White-eye, Grey-cheeked Honeyeater, Satin Swiftlet, Pacific Kingfisher and Red-bellied Fruit-Dove amongst the possibilities.

The cruise activities will conclude with a final opportunity to go snorkelling or further birding for those who wish.

Day 17: Port Vila, Vanuatu

Heritage Adventurer will arrive at Port Vila in the morning with disembarkation taking place after breakfast. There will be a transfer to a central city hotel or the airport to conclude your voyage. To allow time for disembarkation procedures we do not recommend booking flights from Port Vila before midday.

Please note: All itineraries are subject to weather, local conditions and final approval by the relevant authorities. As outlined on the ‘Trip Info’ tab, there is a £400 charge in addition to the cabin prices to join the dedicated birding excursions. The numbers of participants will be restricted, there will be a dedicated guide and specific excursions will not be open to other cruise participants.

THE SHIP

Heritage Adventurer is a purpose built expedition ship (which was previously known as Hanseatic and Resolute) which offers extremely comfortable cabins and passenger facilities and is so smooth that on flat seadays, it is possible to use a telescope to look for seabirds.

Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer will carry a maximum of 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages.

CABINS OPTIONS AND PRICES

BOOK THIS VOYAGE PLUS ‘DRAGONS AND BoPS’ BEFORE 31 JANUARY 2024 AND RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT ON THE COMBINED PRICE*

Main Deck Triple – £9,250 per person

Main Deck Triple Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m² and feature two porthole windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Triple – £9,750 per person

Superior Triple Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m² and feature large panoramic windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Deck 4 Superior – £10,750 per person

Superior Cabins on Deck 4 are a spacious 22m² and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Deck 5 Superior – £11,500 per person

Superior Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m² and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Main Deck Single – £14,450 per person

Main Deck Single Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m² and feature two porthole windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Single – £14,790 per person

Superior Single Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m² and feature large panoramic windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage, and a flat screen entertainment system.

Worsley Suite – £14,790 per person

Located on Deck 6, Worsley Suites are a spacious 22m² and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable chaise-style lounge suite, writing desk, private ensuite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Heritage Suite – £20,000 per person

Located on Deck 6, Heritage Suites are an expansive 44m² and feature large double panoramic windows, king bed, large living area with a sofa, coffee table and chairs and grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub and shower, large writing desk, floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Please note: the above prices are per person and include landing fees, one night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (including dinner and breakfast), pre-voyage flight from Cairns to Port Moresby, all on board accommodation with meals, house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner and all shore excursions and activities.

The price excludes all items of a personal nature such as laundry, other drinks, gratuities, flights, visas and insurance and the optional birding (GB£400) and kayaking programmes (£1,150) which will have their own dedicated guides and excursions. We anticipate that anyone booking with us will want to join the birding programme.

* – terms and conditions apply, new bookings only, subject to availability and excludes landing fees and optional extras, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and must be booked by 31 January 2024