DAY ONE: DARWIN
Board Coral Adventurer at 7:30am for a 9:00am departure. Departing from Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf, ready to begin our voyage toward Banda Neira Island.

DAY TWO: AT SEA
As we cross the Timor Sea you will have time to relax and explore the Coral Adventurer, enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks, and join presentations with our Expedition Team.

DAY THREE: BANDA NEIRA
An armada of Kora Kora Canoes flanking the Coral Adventurer welcome us to Banda Neira. Once ashore we explore the old colonial town, and tour the nutmeg plantations, museums and markets. There is a great opportunity to snorkel over the lava flow of Gunung Api volcano.
Dinner tonight will be hosted under the stars at the 17th-century Fort Belgica, where we will be joined by local artists displaying their arts and crafts and dancing. We will dine on Bandanese cuisine as the sun sets over the fort.

DAY FOUR: SAPARUA & MOLANA ISLAND
Saparua has a relaxed and traditional environment, with very few tourists. The Dutch East Indies Company established Fort Duurstedt in 1691, and the island is full of history. The locals greet us with flowers and a welcome dance before we join our guides and guest lecturer for a tour of the fort and village. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful white sands of Molana Island.

DAY FIVE: SOUTH HALMAHERA
We spend today cruising South Halmahera, stopping at the lush mountainous islands and snorkelling the colourful fringing reefs with their abundant marine life.

DAY SIX: TERNATE
Boarding the Xplorer, we cruise to Ternate and journey to the Sultan’s Palace. Built in 1834 and restored in a semi-colonial style, the Sultan’s Palace still houses the Sultan’s family. On a guided walk throughout the palace grounds, we view numerous artefacts from the Dutch & Portuguese eras and learn about the ‘magic of the crown’.
During our afternoon exploration of Ternate, we enjoy a High Tea with a view over the islands, and learn of the clove plantation history. A visit to the unique Fort Tolukko which presides over the foreshore gives impressive views of volcanic Mt Gamalama.

DAY SEVEN: TOBELO
Awake in Tobelo Bay surrounded by lush green islands and a jigsaw of coral atolls. Today we visit the elementary school and communal House or Hibualamo, where we will be entertained by cultural performances. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Tobelo markets today.

DAY EIGHT: AT SEA / AMSTERDAM ISLAND
We spend the morning crossing the Halmahera Sea before being welcomed to Amsterdam Island with an enthusiastic and colourful grand reception. Amsterdam Island is known for WW2 history, with the shoreline and sea floor displaying remnants of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.

DAY NINE: AURI ISLANDS
The Auri Islands lie within Cenderawasih Bay (Cenderawasih means “Paradise” in the Bahasa language). Here we relax on beautiful beaches, snorkel the reefs, visit the local fishing camp and explore the islands’ perimeter onboard the zodiacs.

DAY TEN: KWATISORE
We enter Cenderawasih Marine Park and go in search of the biggest fish in the sea, the extraordinary whale shark. It is possible to swim with these majestic animals and we may have a chance to snorkel among them. Visit Kwatisore Village to learn about the local culture through traditional dances and games and listen to their talented string band. Local handicraft will also be available for viewing and purchase at the market.

DAY ELEVEN: MAMBERAMO RIVER
Today, the Coral Adventurer enters the Mamberamo River. This vast river is the Amazon of New Guinea, an almost completely unexplored region that is home to villages and tribes whose culture is still relatively undisturbed. Our visit to this raw and primeval area will be exploratory, with the potential to visit local warrior tribes and enjoy the wilderness surroundings.

DAY TWELVE: JAYAPURA
Known as ‘Hollandia’ until 1963, Jayapura is now a melting pot of sights and exotic aromas. Visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art, and cruise on a longboat to see the stilt towns built over the tranquil lake. We will be welcomed at Asei Village by the local dancers and their accompanying traditional instruments, and view bark paintings and other artefacts.

DAY THIRTEEN: VANIMO
This morning we enter Papua New Guinea at Vanimo. In Vanimo village, locals put on cultural demonstrations including sing sings, traditional clay pot making and the application of tribal tattoos.

DAY FOURTEEN: SEPIK RIVER
At first light we enter the mighty Sepik River and visit the village of Bien where they are famous for their arts and crafts. A true Sepik welcome awaits us as we step ashore. Embrace this opportunity to purchase unique carvings and art direct from the artist.
As we depart the Sepik River, enjoy the views as we sail past the active volcano at Manam Island.

DAY FIFTEEN: MADANG
Explore Madang, famed for its waterfront setting and colonial history. On a town tour visit the Madang Museum, Coast Watchers Monument, and local village of Bil Bil, famed for its pottery.
This morning we welcome local artists on board for a private art exhibition of their work – guests will have the chance to mingle with the artists and talk about their techniques. Later guests will be able to view Sepik art on display at Sugen Aben Park, and view demonstrations of bilum bag making and as well as other handicraft.

DAY SIXTEEN: DREGERHAFEN
Today we visit Dregerhafen in Morobe, famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. We will explore the village of Gingala where a high-spirited welcome will be guaranteed. The markets will be open, and we get the chance to walk through the village with the locals. After lunch, we enjoy snorkelling, diving and kayaks in the blue waters of the lagoon. Finish the day with drinks on the sundeck and our sundeck BBQ.

DAY SEVENTEEN: BUNA AND SANANANDA
The battle of Buna-Gona witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during the final stages of WWII. During the war, Buna was the trailhead to the Kokoda Track. Formally known as the ‘Buna Kokoda-Moresby Track’, our expedition team and local guides accompany us through this dense jungle landscape to discover Buna’s dramatic history.
Later we stop over at Sanananda’s village to visit the war museum and enjoy Sanananda beautiful tropical gardens.

DAY EIGHTEEN: TUFI FJORD
Picturesque Tufi Fjord is composed of deep inlets, known locally as ‘rias’, formed through ancient volcanic activity. As we enter MacLaren Harbour, we join local guides on outrigger canoes as they paddle us from the harbour to their remote village in the rainforest. We will enjoy the village’s hospitality, with unique cultural performances and art markets.
We later explore through the fiords, soaking up the spectacular views before enjoying snorkelling or a little relaxation at a nearby resort.

DAY NINETEEN: KITAVA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS
The Trobriand Islands in the Milne Bay province are historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’. The indigenous population of the islands live a peaceful and very traditional lifestyle, ensuring their culture remains unchanged. We will visit Kitava Island and visit the excellent markets there, which will reveal great artefacts.

DAY TWENTY: DOBU AND FERGUSSON ISLANDS
Join our Expedition Team on a walk to the Dei Dei Hot Springs on Ferguson Island, where guides share the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs.
At Dobu Island learn of the history of the Kula Ring. View the decorative art adorning the local houses and canoes, and meet the local children as they perform a traditional dance. Later there will be snorkelling at the Bubbling Springs Reef.

DAY TWENTY ONE: SAMARAI
Today we say farewell to Papua New Guinea from the small island of Samarai, at the southern tip of Milne Bay. Though hard to fathom, in its colonial prime, the tiny island of Samarai was once the region’s most important port. We have the option to join a guided tour of the colonial settlement or head to Deika Deika Island in the Xplorer for a leisurely swim.

DAY TWENTY TWO: AT SEA
As we make our way across the Coral Sea back to Cairns the Expedition Team and guest lecturer hold presentations re-capping our adventure. Reminisce with new-found friends at the Captain’s farewell drinks.

DAY TWENTY THREE: CAIRNS
This morning at 7:00am we arrive at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal disembarking at 8-8:30am. Farewell the end of your adventure discovering the culture and arts of New Guinea.