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

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

Grand Pacific Odyssey - Extension: The Ultimate Tropical Pacific Island Cruise from New Zealand, via Papua New Guinea, to Japan

Set sail on a true adventure as we explore the reef-fringed tropical islands, historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters cruising Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Japan on this unforgettable 25-day cruise through paradise.

13 Mar 2025

Grand Pacific Odyssey GPO: A Tropical Pacific Island Cruise from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea

Join Heritage Expeditions on a true adventure expedition cruising the reef-fringed tropical islands, historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters cruising Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, guests on Grand Pacific Odyssey (GPO) disembark in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, or continue on a ...

13 Mar 2025

Indonesian Explorer: Raja Ampat to Papua New Guinea

Discover paradise on an authentic expedition cruise through Indonesia's remote and little known tropical islandswith multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and Karen Bass. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Triton Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the ...

13 Oct 2024

Seabirds & Cetaceans of Australasia: An Epic East Coast Pelagic

Sail remote, uncharted Australian waters in the search for rare and elusive pelagic seabirds and cetaceans on this 9-day birding cruise passing Chesterfield Reefs, through the deep waters of the Coral Sea south to the edge of the Southern Ocean, all locations of an astounding diversity of seabirds.

15 Nov 2024

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

Visit one of Indonesia's top four places to swim with Whale Sharks - Garontalo, discover the 'eighth wonder of the world' on Bohol Island and the secret paradise on Kei Kecil Island the crowning jewel in the Kei Archipelago. Delve into the fascinating history of the Spice Islands at Banda ...

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

Western Pacific Odyssey - Extension: The Ultimate Birding Voyage from New Zealand, via Papua New Guinea, to Japan

Considered one of the 'must do' expeditions for any birder because of its opportunities to see some of the rarest pelagic seabirds in the world, guests have the option to disembark in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, or continue on a specially-priced extension through to Japan.

13 Mar 2025

Western Pacific Odyssey WPO: A Grand Birding Voyage from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea

Heritage Expeditions renowned birding voyage, Western Pacific Odyssey is considered one of the 'must do' expeditions for any birder because of its opportunities to see some of the rarest pelagic seabirds in the world, guests on Western Pacific Odyssey (WPO) disembark in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, or continue on a ...

13 Mar 2025

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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09 Aug 2023
Pioneering small-ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is taking its citizen science programme to the next level giving guests the...READ MORE
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
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