South Pacific

South Pacific

Overview

Cruise the South Pacific by expedition ship, visiting Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Philippines, New Caledonia and Indonesia.

Enjoy idyllic beaches, snorkeling and birdwatching. The South Pacific islands known as Melanesia lie to the north and east of Australia. Together the three independent nations and two dependant colonies form one of the most culturally complex regions in the world, with some 1,293 languages spoken across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It is also a region of great antiquity with New Guinea having been settled for about 45,000 years, the Solomon Islands 35,000 and Vanuatu and New Caledonia for about 4,000 years.

Throughout Melanesia, people still live as they always have, in small scale societies often without strong leadership systems. Instead, communities are bound by family ties and that of complex trade and exchange networks. Trade routes link distant communities, and trading canoe voyages can cover extensive distances. The daily round of crop growing, hunting, and in coastal areas, of fishing, is enriched by many rituals. These often involve the production of intricate carvings and body decorations. Melanesians do not worship gods in a general sense, but acknowledge their ancestors, spirits and other beings that share their landscape.

Our expedition cruises throughout Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people and to be entertained by spectacular cultural performances.

As we travel through the warm waters of the South Pacific there will be ample time for snorkelling, swimming, exploring, birdwatching, village visits and zodiac cruising. Melanesia Discoverer explores the islands of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, while Secrets of Melanesia uncovers the traditions, marine life and idyllic islands of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Discover paradise among Indonesia's lost islands on Indonesian Explorer where we will explore Raja Ampat and little known biodiverse-rich jungle-capped volcanic islands scattered across pristine pellucid waters well beyond traditional tourist routes including Komodo National Park - land of the Komodo Dragon.

For the ultimate adventure, join our incomparable 29-day Grand Pacific Odyssey, a tropical pacific island cruise from New Zealand to Japan.

Book both voyages back to back and save, contact us for details.

Plan a South Pacific adventure today. Questions or ready to book one of these exciting expeditions? Please contact us today or call toll free and speak with an Expedition Specialist.

Overview

Cruise the South Pacific by expedition ship, visiting Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Philippines, New Caledonia and Indonesia.

Enjoy idyllic beaches, snorkeling and birdwatching. The South Pacific islands known as Melanesia lie to the north and east of Australia. Together the three independent nations and two dependant colonies form one of the most culturally complex regions in the world, with some 1,293 languages spoken across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It is also a region of great antiquity with New Guinea having been settled for about 45,000 years, the Solomon Islands 35,000 and Vanuatu and New Caledonia for about 4,000 years.

Throughout Melanesia, people still live as they always have, in small scale societies often without strong leadership systems. Instead, communities are bound by family ties and that of complex trade and exchange networks. Trade routes link distant communities, and trading canoe voyages can cover extensive distances. The daily round of crop growing, hunting, and in coastal areas, of fishing, is enriched by many rituals. These often involve the production of intricate carvings and body decorations. Melanesians do not worship gods in a general sense, but acknowledge their ancestors, spirits and other beings that share their landscape.

Our expedition cruises throughout Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people and to be entertained by spectacular cultural performances.

As we travel through the warm waters of the South Pacific there will be ample time for snorkelling, swimming, exploring, birdwatching, village visits and zodiac cruising. Melanesia Discoverer explores the islands of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, while Secrets of Melanesia uncovers the traditions, marine life and idyllic islands of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Discover paradise among Indonesia's lost islands on Indonesian Explorer where we will explore Raja Ampat and little known biodiverse-rich jungle-capped volcanic islands scattered across pristine pellucid waters well beyond traditional tourist routes including Komodo National Park - land of the Komodo Dragon.

For the ultimate adventure, join our incomparable 29-day Grand Pacific Odyssey, a tropical pacific island cruise from New Zealand to Japan.

Book both voyages back to back and save, contact us for details.

Plan a South Pacific adventure today. Questions or ready to book one of these exciting expeditions? Please contact us today or call toll free and speak with an Expedition Specialist.

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South Pacific Expeditions

Asian Island Odyssey: Exploring the Remote Tropical Islands of Japan, Philippines and Indonesia

Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, invites you on the ultimate tropical island-hopping cruise from Osaka, Japan, through the Philippines and Indonesia to Darwin, Australia, with multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and Karen Bass.

14 Jun 2023

Discover the Secrets of Melanesia: Exploring Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sail into a world few ever experience where unique time-honoured traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome us into their world as we 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.

23 Oct 2023

Discover the Secrets of Melanesia: Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu

Uncover the hidden gems of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Visit remote villages and idyllic islands. Snorkel to discover the vibrant marine life. Birders will be rewarded with once in a lifetime species.

30 Oct 2024

Grand Pacific Odyssey: A Tropical Pacific Island Cruise from New Zealand to Japan

Set sail on a true adventure as we explore reef-fringed tropical islands, visit historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters cruising from New Zealand to Japan on the incomparable 29-day Grand Pacific Odyssey.

21 Mar 2024

Indonesian Explorer: Raja Ampat to Papua New Guinea

Discover paradise on an authentic expedition through Indonesia's remote and little known tropical islands with acclaimed author, scientist and explorer Professor Tim Flannery. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Kwatisore Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discover Jacques Cousteau's "underwater nirvana" Wakatobi National Park and ...

7 Oct 2023

Indonesian Explorer: Raja Ampat to Papua New Guinea

Discover paradise on an authentic expedition cruise through Indonesia's remote and little known tropical islands. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Triton Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discover Jacques Cousteau's "underwater nirvana" Wakatobi National Park and explore the turquoise waters and rainbow corals of ...

13 Oct 2024

South Pacific Sojourn: Vanuatu to New Zealand, Including New Caledonia & Norfolk Island

Highlights during the voyage include exploring the lively markets of Port Vila and snorkelling through a kaleidoscope of colourful reefs in New Caledonia's Lifou Island to uncover a myriad of exotic fish and coral species. Enjoy either a drive or hike to the top of Vanuatu's active volcano Mount Yasur ...

7 Nov 2023

Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia: Cruising the Remote Islands of the Philippines and Indonesia

Explore the undiscovered pristine island paradises of the Philippines and Indonesia with pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions as we sail well off the traditional tourist route with multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and Karen Bass.

27 Jun 2023

Undiscovered Philippines & Indonesia: Cruising Islands of the Philippines & Indonesia, Manila to Darwin

Visit the 'Whale Shark Capital of the World' and swim with the gentle giants and discover the 'eighth wonder of the world' on Bohol Island. Discover one of the Philippines best kept secrets on Ticao Island where the towering Catandayagan Falls tumble down sheer stone cliffs into the ocean in ...

22 Jun 2024

Western Pacific Odyssey: Birding Cruise from New Zealand to Japan

New Zealand to Japan via Norfolk Island, New Caledonia and Melanesia Known in birding circles, simply as the ‘WPO', this expedition incorporates many of the key birding areas in the South West Pacific. First offered in 2007, it is now considered one of the ‘must do' expeditions for any birder ...

21 Mar 2024

Our ship: Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Exploration Cruising' due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration. Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer...

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18 Apr 2023
  The recent "Western Pacific Odyssey: Birding Cruise from New Zealand to Japan" expedition aboard Heritage Adventurer has concluded. The ...READ MORE
17 Apr 2023
The recent "Western Pacific Odyssey: Birding Cruise from New Zealand to Japan" expedition aboard Heritage Adventurer has concluded. The Species ...READ MORE
23 Mar 2023
While most ships are known for passing in the night, pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions brought its sister vessels toget...READ MORE
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