Arrive on the sun-soaked shores of Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, and explore its blissful beaches, turquoise waters, and dense jungles. Experience Fijian culture with warrior dances and firewalks, while learning about the city's sugar trade and legendary duel origins. Wander through botanical gardens, lively markets, and temples, or relax at the mineral-rich mud pools. Don’t miss the stunning Blue Lagoon and nearby Savala Island, offering pristine beaches and vibrant reefs perfect for snorkeling.

Sea days offer the ideal chance to relax and unwind. Whether you hit the gym, visit the spa, whale watch, read, or soak up the sun, they perfectly balance the busier shore days.

Unlike Espiritu Santo with its raised coral reefs and white sand, Ambrym is a volcanically active island with dark sand beaches. Ambrym is known as the island of magic and is the source of five local languages that all evolved on Ambrym. This handful of languages contributes to the well over 100 languages of Vanuatu. Some of Ambrym’s magic takes place in the lush greenery of the local community of Ranon. Here the people perform a very special and traditional ‘Rom’ dance. Participants prepare their masks and costumes in secrecy and the dance is reserved for special occasions.

Included Shore Excursion:
Rom Dance

Pentecost Island, a 37-mile tropical island, was named by Louis Antoine de Bougainville after spotting it on May 22, 1768. The island has no towns, and most residents live in villages, growing their own food. Pentecost is famous for its traditional land diving ritual, first showcased by David Attenborough in 1960 and later inspiring bungee jumping. From April to June, men and boys, using only vines tied to their ankles, leap from towers built with saplings to ensure a good yam harvest and as a fertility rite.

Included Shore Excursion:
Pentecost Land Diving

Champagne Beach is a world-renowned destination, ranked ninth on CNN's top 100 beaches in 2003 and consistently listed among the best globally. Its stunning white sand, turquoise water, and serene surroundings make it a true natural beauty. Named in the 17th century after volcanic bubbles resembling champagne, this pristine beach is on Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo Island, near Hog Harbor. The island also boasts crystal-clear blue holes, filtered by underground limestone caves, adding to its allure.

Included Shore Excursion:
Champagne Beach with Water Music Women

Nendo Island, part of the Solomon Islands, is a hidden gem known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The largest of the Santa Cruz Islands, Nendo offers pristine beaches, lush tropical forests, and vibrant coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving. The island's remote location and traditional villages provide visitors with an authentic experience of Solomon Islands’ life, where you can explore ancient customs, local crafts, and the warm hospitality of the islanders. Nendo Island is ideal for those seeking adventure, tranquility, and a deeper connection with nature and indigenous culture.

Included Shore Excursion:
Nendo Island Village Visit
Snorkeling

Port Mary is the name of the bay adjacent to Ghupuna, the main village in Santa Ana. A bright white sand beach with huge shade-giving trees runs along the shoreline in front of the tidy village. The houses here are made with local materials and most are built on stilts. Islanders generally welcome visitors with traditional songs and dances performed by members of the three different villages on Santa Ana. Some local people will also set up stands offering souvenirs for purchase. The Solomons are best known for strings of traditional shell money and elegant carvings based on local stories and legends.

Included Shore Excursions:
Ghupuna Village Warrior Challenge and Mudmen
Hiking
Water Activities

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Njari is a small island almost entirely covered in trees with just a small sand spit at its eastern end. A labyrinth of reefs and coral heads make an approach quite difficult. Recently a small wooden jetty has been built on the southern side. The small beaches invite one to relax, but swimming from the beach is almost impossible as the corals are too close. To enjoy the underwater world one has to enter the water from Zodiac snorkel platforms, a short distance from the shore, where an amazing array of fish and coral will be visible. Two hundred and seventy nine different fish species have been seen during a single dive; the fourth-highest fish count ever recorded. An indication of why this island is considered a top spot for snorkeling in the Solomon Islands.

Included Shore Excursion:
Water Activities
 

Rabaul, on the northeastern tip of New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, offers surreal experiences. Located within a volcanic caldera, the town was nearly destroyed by Mount Tavurvur in 1994. Despite its remote location and active volcano, Rabaul thrives through its deep-water port and boasts WWII history, including Japanese tunnels. The slow pace of life allows visitors to fully appreciate the dramatic landscapes.

Included Shore Excursion:
Baining Fire Dance

Jacquinot Bay is a large open bay on the eastern coast of the island of New Britain. It is a tranquil place with white sandy beaches and tropical palm trees all around. There is also a well-known beautiful waterfall that flows out of the mountainside with freezing cold water right onto the beach. But during WWII, however, it was not a quiet place. It was, in fact, an important base for the Australian Army who liberated it in November 1944. This base was used to support Australian operations near Rabaul which were conducted in early 1945 in conjunction with advances on the northern side of New Britain.

Included Shore Excursion:
Jacquinot Bay Exploration

Kuiawa (Kuyau) is part of the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province, located 200 km from the capital and southwest of Kiriwina. Known for their ceremonial yam cultivation, Trobriand Islanders use magic to boost growth. The island features yam houses for storing large yams and villages lined with almond and frangipani trees. Famous for carving, dancing, and their unique version of cricket, locals celebrate harvest season with lively competitions.

Included Shore Excursions:
Kuiawa Island Exploration
Snorkeling

Tufi, located on the southeastern peninsula of Cape Nelson in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, is set on a tropical fjord formed by volcanic activity. Surrounded by uncharted coral reefs, it attracts divers eager to explore its rich underwater life. While Tufi serves as the region's administrative center, traditional ceremonies remain vital, with locals wearing tapa cloth made from mulberry bark. Dance is central to the culture, featuring performers in elaborate headdresses adorned with bird-of-paradise plumes. Tufi is also renowned for its diverse birds and butterflies, holding several records for size.

Included Shore Excursions:
Zodiac Cruise
Snorkeling

Fergusson is one of the three biggest and mountainous islands in the Milne Bay Province, and part of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands. On Fergusson’s south side are the famous Dei Dei geysers — natural hot springs that periodically erupt with vapour steam next to mud pools and a warm stream. The hot springs are still used by locals to cook food in palm frond and pandanus leaf baskets placed into the boiling hot water. Birds in the area include Eclectus Parrots, Yellow-bellied Sunbirds and the endemic Curl-crested Manucode – a bird-of-paradise.

Included Shore Excursion:
Deidei Village and Hot Springs

Dobu is a small island in the D’Entrecasteaux Group, located near Fergusson and Normanby Islands. Once feared for black magic and local "witch" doctors, it was studied by Reo Fortune in the 1930s, leading to the book “The Island of Sorcerers.” Dobu is also part of the Kula ring, where participants exchange traditional mwali and soulava (armbands and necklaces). A walk through the main village reveals a school, church, and trails lined with thatched houses and gardens along the shore.

Included Shore Excursions:
Dobu Island Village Visit
Snorkeling


 

Deka Deka Island, shaped like a narrow arrowhead and located near Logea Island in southeastern Papua New Guinea, is a remote tropical paradise. Emerging from the turquoise waters of the Louisiade Archipelago, it features lush greenery and pristine beaches. Uninhabited and untouched, it attracts only adventurous visitors seeking serenity. A stunning beach stretches from the jungle, leading to shallow, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling among tropical fish. Renowned for its beauty, Deka Deka Island offers a tranquil escape for relaxation, desert island fantasies, or spearfishing adventures.

Included Shore Excursion:
Snorkeling

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Thursday Island, or TI, is the ultimate Aussie retreat. Enjoy a cold beer on a pub deck with views of the turquoise sea and the island's remote beauty. Though it's the most populated of the Torres Strait Islands, it has fewer than 3,000 residents spread over 3.5 km². Named by Captain Owen Stanley in 1848, Thursday Island has a rich history, including a pearl trade and a unique Japanese presence during WWII, which spared it from extensive bombing. Visitors can explore heritage sites like Green Hill Fort, the Customs House, and the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.

Included Shore Excursion:
Welcome to Thursday Island

Reach the northernmost point of Australia, a spot only for the truly adventurous. Here, you can survey the Torres Strait's island-studded waters while keeping an eye out for lurking crocodiles. The dense eucalyptus rainforest is home to diverse plant species, including the striking Cooktown orchid and medicinal Pandanus palm, as well as unique wildlife like colorful finches and elusive tree kangaroos. The region is rich in cultural heritage, with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities having lived here for thousands of years. Discover their traditions, art, and deep connection to the land in this tropical part of Queensland.

Included Shore Excursion:
Hiking

Days at sea offer a chance to relax and catch up on activities like hitting the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, reading, or soaking up the sun, providing a perfect balance to your busy shore excursions.

Yirrkala is an Aboriginal community in northeastern Arnhem Land, home to about 800 residents. The Yolngu have lived in the area for over 40,000 years but settled in larger numbers after a Methodist mission was established in 1935. In the 1960s, Yirrkala gained fame when the Yolngu opposed a bauxite mine on their land, sending the Yirrkala Bark Petition to the Australian government. The town is renowned for its Aboriginal art, featuring the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum. Nearby, Wurrwurrwuy, a unique stone arrangement from the mid-19th century, is listed on the Australian National Heritage List and illustrates the Macassan sea cucumber trade.

Included Shore Excursion:
Yirrkala Aboriginal Art

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Nestled along the rainforest-covered coastline of the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory, the historic ruins of Victoria Settlement reflect the challenges of colonial expansion. Established in 1838 as a re-supply post for ships and to assert British territorial claims, the settlement's weathered brick chimneys now stand as a testament to its brief existence. The beautiful yet harsh environment contributed to its decline, with a suffocating climate and isolation leading to its abandonment after just 11 years. Today, the area is part of Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, home to diverse wildlife, including six marine turtle species and dugongs, and recognized as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. The park is jointly managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the traditional Iwaidja landowners.

Included Shore Excursion:
Expedition Activities

Known as the "Island of Smiles," Bathurst Island offers a joyful escape into the Tiwi Islands and their rich Aboriginal heritage. Inhabited for over 40,000 years, the islands are famous for their vibrant textiles made from natural ochres, featuring intricate dot and geometric designs. Engage with local artists, enjoy totem dances, and participate in smoke ceremonies. The community’s passion for Australian rules football is evident, with around 35% of residents involved in the sport. The stunning coastline is home to diverse marine life, including dugongs and dolphins, while echoes of World War II history add intrigue to this beautiful destination.

Australia's northern capital, Darwin, is a tropical city that serves as a historically isolated outpost, located 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne. Named after Charles Darwin, this vibrant destination features nearby beautiful islands and a blend of Pacific flavors. Explore Kakadu National Park's waterways by airboat and enjoy the serene sounds of nature in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Visitors can relax at Mindil Beach, where evening markets offer souvenirs and fiery Asian cuisine. Despite its remoteness, Darwin has a rich history, including its role during the Pacific War and the devastation of Cyclone Tracy in 1973, which you can learn about in local museums.