Discover, Plan & Go!

You will have the chance to view Traditional Villages, WWII Sites and Snorkeling. You will also get the chance to see scattered across the Western Pacific lie some of the most remote and spectacular island chains in the world. Seldom explored by outside visitors, our voyage of discovery includes a unique combination of age-old primitive island cultures, mementos of World War II sites in the Pacific, and some of the most spectacular snorkeling opportunities on Earth.

Explore some of the most remote and least visited islands in the South Pacific. Meet residents of villages who still live much as their ancestors did - medicine men, clan chieftans. Investigate the ruins of the "Venice of hte South Pacific," Nan Madol. Watchi villagers perform traditional dances handed down from generation to generation. You will tour World War II sites in Chuuk, the Soloman Islands and Guam. Visit marine and bird reserves and sanctuaries.

Days 1-2 - Depart U.S for Guam, U.S.

Lose a day en route as you cross the International Date Line. Upon arrival you will transfer to the Guam Hayatt Regency for overnight.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: dinner

Day 3 – Guam

Enjoy a tour of Guam including Plaza de Espana and Isla Center for the Arts. Board the Spirit of Oceanus.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 4 - Gaferut Atoll, Yap

Birds and turtles have discovered Gaferut’s charms, but few others visit this migratory resting place. Birdwatchers keep a lookout for noddies, terns, and boobies. Just a few steps offshore great snorkeling awaits you.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Ifaluk, Yap

The inhabitants of Ifaluk are the most traditional of all the Eastern Caroline Islands, and the inner lagoon is shallow and breathtakingly beautiful. Visit with villagers, and see them perform dances. The reefs here are alive with colorful fish and deep-sea fans that will delight snorkelers.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Satawal Island, Yap

Some of the best traditional navigators in the Pacific live here, still navigating by the stars and ocean swells. Visit their village and go snorkeling on the reef.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Tonoas Island, Chuuk

Appreciate the World War II history of this mangrove-fringed island in a beautiful lagoon. Have time for snorkeling or swimming.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - At Sea

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Pohnpei Island, FSM

The snorkeling is magnificent here, and birdwatchers will want to keep their eyes peeled for the endemic Pohnpei fantail and Pohnpei flycatcher. But the highlight of the island is the ruins of Nan Madol, said to be over 700 years old.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-11 - At Sea

Cross the Equator en route. As we cruise between islands, our Exploration Leader and other experts will brief us on the natural history and cultures we are about to visit.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Santa Isabela Island, Solomon Islands

Anchor off Kia village, once home to headhunters. Other enduring traditions here include making tapa cloth from the bark of the paper-mulberry tree and tinting it a pale blue using a dye made of crushed orchid leaves.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Guadalcanal was the focus of a six-month battle that was a turning point in the Pacific War. The fierce fighting that took place here littered the area with relics, both on land and sea.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - At Sea

Accommodations: tba

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 15 - Tikopia, Soloman Islands

The Solomon Islands have long been known for their fierce headhunting tribes; which has led to the islands’ isolation until only recently. Tikopia, in particular, is home to a remote society that has changed little over the years. It is still ruled by four clans, each with a chief who may only be approached by crawling.

Accommodations: tba

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 16 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Visit the local village, where you’ll meet with the villagers, and have the opportunity to purchase handicrafts. Ambrym is the home of Mt. Marum and Mt. Benbow volcanoes and holds the greatest reputation for sorcery in Vanuatu. The island is also known for traditional crafts such as tam-tams (vertical, slit drums) and tree fern sculptures.

Accommodations: tba

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 17 - At Sea

Accommodations: tba

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 18 - Nadi.Lautoka, Fiji

Disembark the Spirit of Oceanus and check into your individual day room at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Accommodations: tba

Included Meals: breakfast

Reverse Itinerary - Fiji to Guam

Days 1-2 - Depart for Fiji

Day 3 - Nadi/Lautoka, Fiji

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Day 6 - Tikopia, Solomon Islands

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Guadalcanal, Salomon Islands

Day 9 - Santa Isabela Island, Solomon Islands

Days 10-11 - At Sea

Day 12 - Pohnpei Island, FSM

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - Tonoas Island, Chuuk

Day 15 - Satawal Island, Yap

Day 16 - Ifaluk, Yap

Day 17 - Gaferut Atoll, Yap

Day 18 - Guam, U.S.

Day 19 - Depart

Ports and Places

Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

This single island and its airfield were the focal point of the 6-month Guadalcanal Campaign, a turning point in the Pacific War of 1942-1943. Many sites on and around Guadalcanal include Bloody Ridge, Henderson Field (now the Solomon’s international airport).

Santa Isabela Island, Solomon Islands

Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

Villages built on stilts over tranquil lagoons, waters that sparkle with phosphorescence at night; this is home to great artisans and fishermen.

Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Pohnpei offers some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Micronesia. The tropical forest teems with more than 40 species of birds, reptiles, and deer. Said to be over 700 years old, the Venice-like community of Nan Madol once had canals, stone towers etc.

Tonoas Island, Chuuk (also known as Truk), FSM

The center for the Japanese Navy during World War II, this island still has many remains of the battle known as Operation Hailstone.

Satawal Island, Yap, FSM

The island of Satawal is the home of one of Micronesia’s most legendary figures, master star navigator Mau Pialug. He was responsible for starting the revival of traditional Polynesian voyaging 20 years ago, and today, giant canoe houses once more dot the landscape.

Ifaluk, Yap, FSM

Home to approximately 650 people, the island of Ifaluk is powerfully traditional. In their cooperative culture, the men fish to supply the entire island, and there is no word for “anger.”

Gaferut Atoll, Yap, FSM

Three species of boobies, two species of noddies, and three species of terns (including the fairy tern) nest on this uninhabited atoll. Offshore, excellent snorkeling awaits, and if you’re lucky, you may see some of Yap’s many manta rays.

Guam, U.S.

Spanish influence is seen in the mestiza, a style of women’s clothing, and in the architecture of Guam’s southern villages. As the Catholic Church gained prominence, Guam became a regular port of call for Spanish galleons that crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean. Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji. Lautoka is the sugar city, surrounded by the blue Pacific Ocean on the western side and green-gold sugar cane and pine trees on the others. Centuries-old banyan trees and colonial residences line Mill View Road.

Ambrym, Vanuatu

A primeval world of seething active lava lakes, ancient tree ferns, eerie mist-shrouded jungle, and jagged black moonscape, it’s no wonder the people of Ambrym are steeped in a rich history of sorcery.

Tikopia, Solomon Islands

Descended from voyaging Tongans, Tikopian culture differs from its neighbors, and still follows a traditional lifestyle. Women wear tapa cloth skirts and cook in communal ovens. Men catch flying fish with airborne nets resembling tennis rackets and chew beetle nut.

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: Single and triple rates are available upon request where applicable.

Land Cost Includes: Two nights hotel accommodations with breakfast included, $475 per person which covers all taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected; all airport/ hotel transfers; South Pacific cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare from US to South Pacific; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1000 per person is required to confirm. Cancellations made more than 90-days prior to departure are subject to a $250 per person fee. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout the South Pacific is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in zodiacs. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.