Join Heritage Adventurer this afternoon in the heart of New Zealand’s commercial capital, Auckland. Upon your arrival, your Captain and Expedition Team will be eagerly waiting to greet you and guide you to your cabin. Take some time to settle in and become acquainted with the ship. Seize the opportunity to get to know your Expedition Team and Guides as they introduce themselves and share our exciting voyage plans. Feel free to join them in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we embark on our journey to the Hauraki Gulf.

You find yourself at daybreak in the Mokohinau Islands, also known as the Mokes, a cluster of small islands in the Hauraki Gulf. This afternoon, Heritage Adventurer sails northwards through the Hauraki Gulf. Join the naturalists on deck to watch for whales and seabirds, as these waters usually have a few cetaceans, including Short-beaked Common Dolphin, Long-finned Pilot Whale, and occasionally Bryde’s Whale.

Spend today sailing north to Norfolk Island, an area rich in seabirds. There's a good chance to see Sperm Whales here. Take some time to relax, join the naturalists on deck, and enjoy presentations as you prepare for the arrival at Norfolk Island.

You have a full day to enjoy Norfolk Island, a former penal colony Captain Cook encountered in 1774 and named after the Duchess of Norfolk. This morning, you have the opportunity to explore the beautiful St Barnabas Chapel. This five-year labor-of-love features mother-of-pearl inlays, stained glass windows, and a spectacular vaulted timber ceiling. This afternoon, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Kingston, a former brutal outpost for British prisoners and Australia's second-oldest settlement. Alternatively, visit the Norfolk Island Botanical Gardens with its 40 endemic or unique species, including 15 plant species considered to be critically endangered. For the more active, you may wish to walk in the National Park towards Mt Pitt. The tracks wind through lush palm forests and stands of Norfolk Island Pine, leading to remarkable views of the island and ocean.

Continuing your journey northwards, today you arrive in the tropics, sailing across the Tropic of Capricorn and into the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.

This morning, you find yourself sailing along the southern shores of New Caledonia before passing through the extensive barrier reef that surrounds the island, making your way to Noumea. Today, a full day is set aside for exploring the history, culture, and beauty of New Caledonia. Visit the local institution Port Moselle Market, Noumea, and mingle with the locals over the astounding range of fresh produce, souvenirs, and handcrafts from around the island before continuing to the Maritime Museum for a journey through the history of the islands, including their discovery by Captain Cook. A highlight of your day will be the visit to the Tjibaou Cultural Center, which introduces the traditional Kanak culture via six architectural pavilions. There may also be an opportunity to visit Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue. This reserve is home to the unique Kagu bird. Enjoy a traditional lunch before spending a relaxing afternoon at the beach and snorkeling.

This tropical island has been described as a taste of France in the Pacific, where Melanesian traditions blend with French sophistication. New Caledonia is a fragment of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana, and it is believed that New Caledonia detached and became an island tens of millions of years ago. It is this isolation which explains both the extent of biodiversity and the incredible levels of endemism on this delightful tropical island. This afternoon enjoy an exploration of Noumea with our local guides. Heritage Adventurer will remain in port overnight so you can enjoy the evening ashore.

Enjoy your time aboard as you sail through the tropical waters of the South Pacific. Relive the experiences of the past days, watch your passage unfold by the pool or in the Observation Lounge, and prepare for your arrival in the Solomon Islands.

Your passage early this morning has you cruising through Iron Bottom Sound, named after the large number of Japanese and American ships and aircraft sunk here during the intense World War II naval battles. Located on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, by the Mataniko River, Honiara was founded by the British as a military base during World War II. Honiara witnessed the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, where the Allied forces eventually overcame the Japanese invasion. Options for today include exploring Honiara's bustling central market and visiting historic sites, including Henderson Airfield, war memorials, and the open-air war museum.

Sailing westwards through the Solomon Islands chain today, you'll experience remarkable oceanic topography shaped by volcanic activities and bountiful reefs. The Solomons combine incredible tropical seabirds with marine mammal watching. On previous voyages, Kogias, including Dwarf Sperm Whales and even rare Pygmy Sperm Whales, have been regularly spotted. Spinner and Pantropical Spotted Dolphin are the most frequently observed dolphin species, and Pygmy Killer Whales are fairly regular. Blainville’s, Cuvier’s, and even Longman’s Beaked Whales have all been seen on previous voyages, while flying fish reach some of their highest diversity in this area. There is also the opportunity to discover the rich history and cultures of these islands in the lecture theatre.

Today, you discover the treasures of Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Island, long isolated and, in a strange way, protected due to the conflict that swirled around its shores. Bougainville is emerging once again as a newly vibrant and remarkably pristine island paradise, home to some of the greatest biodiversity in the region, both above and below the water. The plan is to explore the area around Arawa, including the Panguna Copper & Gold Mine site – the setting for the movie Mr. Pip – with great opportunities to access the island’s interior and its reefs. Enjoy a unique shopping experience under the thatched roof of the Arawa Markets among the hum and chatter of hundreds of locals.

Today we will be sailing between Bougainville and New Ireland. Options include relaxing poolside, joining lectures or joining the expedition team observing the impressive numbers of seabirds and cetaceans known to visit this stretch of ocean. It can be particularly good for Kogias (the Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whale), along with the blackfish: False Killer Whale, Pygmy Killer Whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale and Melon-headed Whale.

The capital of Papua New Guinean province of New Ireland and the largest town on the island of the same name, Kavieng is known for its ancient Malagan culture. After breakfast, say your farewell and take a transfer to Kavieng Airport, or continue on a specially-priced extension through to Japan. We ask you not to book any onward flights (Domestic or International) until mid-afternoon to account for any delays and the time it takes to travel to the airport. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.