The capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara sits on the northeastern coast of Guadalcanal at the mouth of the Mataniko River. A relatively new city, it grew up around a U.S. military base during and after WWII. In 1952 it superseded Tulagi as the premier city of these islands. Honiara’s U.S. War Memorial provides a comprehensive war-history lesson of the area. Today the town is laid-back and relatively tourist free with a real-life atmosphere.

The Florida (Nggela) Islands in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands blend natural beauty and rich history. Once the capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, Tulagi Island, off the south coast, was devastated during fierce 1942 fighting after Japanese occupation. Today, it’s a peaceful town known for WWII relics, sunken warships, and wreck diving, offering a quiet reflection on its dramatic past.

In Roderick Bay, white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs frame calm, crystal-clear waters. A striking landmark rises from the shallows - the MS World Discoverer, an expedition cruise ship wrecked in 2001, now listing dramatically and creating an extraordinary backdrop for snorkelling adventures.

Kennedy Island, (also Kasolo or Plum Pudding Island), is a tiny forested islet named after John F. Kennedy. In August 1943, after their craft was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, the crew of PT-109, led by Lieutenant Kennedy, abandoned ship, swam ashore, before making their way to nearby Olasana Island. Kasolo Island's lush rainforests are home to the Solomon Islands fruit dove, the Solomon Islands honeyeater and the Solomon Islands flying fox.

They say good things come in small packages. Njari is a tiny island located between the Wilson Strait and Vella Gulf in the Solomon Islands’ north region. An idyllic speck in the ocean, it’s almost entirely covered in trees. With hardly any infrastructure to speak of, the coves and bays remain unspoilt. Thousands of species of fish, rays, turtles, dolphins and sharks swim around the colourful coral.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Your luxury expedition cruise begins in Rabaul, the former capital of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain island. Located inside a flooded caldera, the town’s proximity to a volatile volcano – plus aerial bombardment during World War II – has forced it to rise from the ashes more than once. Most recently the town was rebuilt after widespread destruction caused when Mount Tavurvur erupted in 1994. Thanks to its impressive harbour, buzzing markets and fascinating wartime past, Rabaul is an exciting place to visit. There’s an observatory in the town’s centre, which monitors the country’s two volcanic arcs, and a small museum located in what was a Japanese bunker.

The island of New Britain features the secluded volcanic Kimbe Bay, renowned for its diverse marine ecosystem. The crystalline waters host coral reefs teeming with colourful tropical fish, WWII wrecks and coral-capped seamounts. Inland, treks lead to an active volcano and the rejuvenating thermal waters of the jungle-clad Garu Hot River. The bay's rainforest is home to Blyth’s hornbills, eclectus parrots and red-knobbed imperial pigeons.

Tiny, far-flung Garove is part of the Vitu Islands in the Bismarck Sea and is defined by its rich marine biodiversity. The island wraps around a massive, horseshoe-shaped flooded caldera. Nearby dive sites reveal multi-hued fish darting among sea fans and anemones, while reef sharks, schooling jacks, and barracuda patrol the deep. Back on dry land, tiny villages nestle amid towering coconut palms.

The inhabited Tami Islands, a four-island archipelago south of Finschhafen in the Huon Gulf, are home to skilled carvers. These islanders craft intricate hardwood bowls, particularly the renowned 'Tami bowls' known for their fine craftsmanship and ceremonial use. These bowls, featuring spirit faces with a distinctive three-peaked headdress (oa balan), are highly valued, with some found in New York’s Metropolitan Museum and the British Museum.

Characterised by dense rainforest, the miniscule volcanic island of Crown Island is barely five kilometres from end to end. Rugged jungle trails offer glimpses of birds of paradise, doves and pigeons, while sapphire waters hide colourful coral reefs beneath the surface. Nearby Kar Kar Island is home to one of the country's most active volcanoes, sprawling cocoa plantations and traditional villages dotted among imposing coconut palms.

Madang, a laid-back port town exuding a village vibe, presents a captivating blend of Pacific war history and natural beauty. At the Visitors and Cultural Bureau, WWII artefacts and exhibits recount the battles for this strategic outpost. The surrounding waters host coral reefs teeming with marine life. Rocky hiking trails traverse Mount Wilhelm, offering panoramic views, extending the allure beyond the town.

Manam Island is marked by an active stratovolcano, occasionally emitting ash plumes. The island's rugged valleys, forested crags, villages and cultures coexist in the shadow of this natural colossus. The area boasts numerous coral reefs, and Hansa Bay holds sunken American and Japanese ships, along with bombers and fighter planes. These waters have also witnessed sightings of hammerheads and tiger sharks.

The Sepik River gracefully winds through rainforest and swampland, revealing tribal villages and stilt structures on muddy banks. In these homesteads, traditional ways of life persist with tribal ceremonies, spirit houses, and stories behind intricately carved masks and totems. Crocodiles, symbols of power, coexist with revered birds of paradise like Goldie's and sicklebills, punctuating the landscape with bursts of bright plumage.

Wewak, East Sepik's capital, is a coastal gateway to the vast Sepik River, a winding lifeline through lush sago swamps, nipa palms and tranquil lagoons. Along its banks, stilted villages uphold vibrant traditions, from canoe travel to crafting intricate masks, wood carvings and towering Haus Tambaran spirit houses. Wewak also holds echoes of WWII history, with relics and the Cape Wom Memorial marking Japan’s surrender in Papua New Guinea.

Jayapura, Papua's provincial capital, serves as a base to explore the rugged Baliem Valley. Winding trails lead through verdant highlands to secluded waterfalls and saltwater springs. Traditional life endures in tribal villages hidden in the rainforest, featuring religious ceremonies or mock tribal wars. In Jayapura, museums recount the intense WWII battles, where Allied and Japanese forces clashed for control of the Pacific theatre.