trip specifics

price

 

Superior	$7249
Majestic	$7749
Premium	$8099
Classic	$8699
Explorer	$10049
Gr. Titan	$11049
Owners	$16149

Prices Per Person

Fuel Supplement $15 per night 

Traditional Villages, WWII Sites and Snorkeling. 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 the South Pacific," Nan Madol. Watchi villagers perform traditional dances handed down from generation to generation. Tour World War II sites in Chuuk, the Soloman Islands and Guam. Visit marine and bird reserves and sanctuaries.

Day 1 - Arrive in Guam

Lose a day en route as you cross the International Date Line. Upon arrival transfer to the luxurious Guam Hayatt Regency, where you can relax and stretch your legs on the white-sand beach of Tumon Bay.

Accommodations: Guam Hyatt Regency
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Guam

A morning tour introduces you to the southernmost of the Mariana Islands. First visited by Magellan in 1521, Guam’s culture has a significant Spanish influence: notice the colorful mastizas worn by the women and in the architecture of the southern villages. Board the Spirit of Oceanus in time for lunch and set sail. Spend the afternoon settling into your stateroom and meeting your Exploration Team.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 3 - Gaferut Atoll, Yap

This tiny atoll is only 0.2 miles long! While its sliver of white-sand beach is barely visible above water, its isolation makes it a perfect sanctuary for hundreds of nesting frigates, boobies, noddies and terns, including the elegant fairy tern. The snorkeling just off the atoll is spectacular.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Ifaluk, Yap

The approximately 650 inhabitants of Ifaluk are some of the most traditional of all the Eastern Caroline Islands. As you make your way by inflatable excursion craft from the ship to the island, you are greeted by singing villagers, adorned in shell necklaces, exotic flowers and colorful body paint. Experience your first ceremonial dance before taking a plunge into Ifaluk’s shallow lagoon, brimming with tropical fish and vivid sea fans.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Satawal Island, Yap

Some of the most renowned sailors in the Pacific live on Satawal Island, traveling phenomenal distances in outrigger canoes, navigating by the stars and the ocean’s waves. Visit their village and feel the energy and rhythm of a traditional dance. One-of-a-kind canoe houses dot the shore and underwater, a snorkeler’s paradise awaits.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Tonoas Island, Chuuk

Chuuk (also known as Truk), fringed in mangroves in a picturesque lagoon, was the center for the Japanese Navy during World War II. Snorkel around a sunken Japanese destroyer, or explore the remains of the battle known as Operation Hailstorm.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we cruise between islands. Your Exploration Leaders and other experts will brief you on the natural history and cultures of upcoming islands.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Pohnpei Island, FSM

Let the mist of a rushing waterfall cool your face as you traverse the tropical forest of Pohnpei, teeming with over 40 species of birds, reptiles and deer. Visit the ancient ruins of Nan Madol (“the Venice of the Pacific”), said to be over 700 years old. Savor an authentic hot lunch—served on a giant leaf—keeping your eyes peeled for the endemic Pohnpei fantail and flycatcher in the trees above.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - 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 11 - Santa Isabela Island, Solomon Islands

Travel by inflatable excursion craft several miles up an inlet to the village of Kia (watching your ship’s wake for flying fish!) and follow a trail to the village center, once home to headhunters. Watch as women make tapa cloth from the bark of the paper-mulberry tree and color it pale blue with a dye of crushed orchid leaves. At night, water sparkles with phosphorescence under stilted thatched-roof huts.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands were the site of the 6-month Guadalcanal Campaign during the Pacific War in 1942-1943. Many relics are still found scattered both on land and sea. Visit the battlefields of Bloody Ridge and Henderson Field or explore a sunken Japanese freighter with mask and snorkel. It’s difficult to believe that Guadalcanal’s white-sand beaches and sparkling, clear lagoons were once the site of fierce fighting.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - At Sea

More time to relax onboard and learn more about upcoming island visits.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - Tikopia, Soloman Islands

You’ll have to get on your hands and knees and crawl if you want to approach one of the four clan chiefs residing on Tikopia, where villagers have tremendous pride in their customs. As a result, little has changed over time. Men catch flying fish with nets shaped like tennis rackets and women wear tapa cloth skirts and cook in communal ovens. Explore craft markets and village huts, built low to the ground and curved to deflect strong winds. Enjoy dance performances and a hike to “Te Rota,” a mountaintop crater lake.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

You haven’t experienced Ambrym until you’ve taken part in the powerful and mysterious Rom dance. Feel the ground tremble beneath you as dancers sporting colorful masks and head-to-toe cloaks made of dried banana leaves pound giant carved wooden ‘tam tams’ into the ground—the rhythmic stomping and chanting will leave you mesmerized. Ambrym is also steeped in a rich history of sorcery—explore its seething active lava lakes, eerie mist-shrouded jungle and jagged black moonscape and you will quickly understand why. Here you will also find some of the best woodcarvings in the Pacific.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16 - At Sea

Soak up the majesty of a brilliant yellow sun as it blazes over the horizon. Absorb the expertise and camaraderie of those around you and enjoy some downtime.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17 - Nadi /Lautoka, Fiji / Depart Home

Lautoka is the sugar city, surrounded by azure Pacific Ocean on one side and green-gold sugar cane on the other. Disembark for a visit to the original village of Fiji, Viseisei, where you’ll take part in a traditional Kava ceremony and be treated to local song and dance. Tour the delicate orchids of the Garden of the Sleeping Giant before checking into a day room at the luxurious Westin Denarau Resort for some downtime. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Accommodations: na
Included Meals: breakfast

Reverse Itinerary - Fiji to Guam

Day 1 - Arrive Fiji
Day 2 - Nadi/Lautoka, Fiji
Day 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu
Day 5 - Tikopia, Solomon Islands
Day 6 - At Sea
Day 7 - Guadalcanal, Salomon Islands
Day 8 - Santa Isabela Island, Solomon Islands
Days 9-10 - At Sea
Day 11 - Pohnpei Island, FSM
Day 12 - At Sea
Day 13 - Tonoas Island, Chuuk
Day 14 - Satawal Island, Yap
Day 15 - Ifaluk, Yap
Day 16 - Gaferut Atoll, Yap
Day 17 - Guam, U.S.

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 US$1000 per person is required to confirm a reservation, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received prior to departure are subject to cancellation penalties per person. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

We highly recommend our travelers
protect their investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Insurance

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.

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