Itinerary Departs: October 26, 2009.

Day 1: Rabaul and Captain’s Welcome
Boarding commences at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure. Enjoy time to relax, settle in an explore Oceanic Discoverer as we cruise Simpson Harbour, set against a stunning backdrop of six towering volcanoes. Later, join the Captain and his crew at the Captain’s Welcome Cocktails as the sun spectacularly sets over the Coral Sea.

Day 2: Witu Islands
Enjoy a full day to discover the Witu Islands – the day offers fantastic snorkelling and SCUBA diving opportunities. Join the Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturers on a guided glass bottom boat tour over the stunning reefs, home to over 800 different species of tropical fish and in excess of 400 different varieties of coral.

Day 3: Crown Island
Join our Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturers as we board the Xplorer and head ashore on this uninhabited island. Known as a turtle nesting ground and home of the giant lizard we explore the beaches of this seldom visited island. Spend time relaxing or snorkelling in the beautiful clear waters.

Day 4: The Mighty Sepik River
Sure to be a highlight, this morning we enter the mouth of the Sepik River. One of the world’s great river systems, the Sepik flows for 1,126 kilometres from the Central Highlands to the sea. The river is one of the least developed regions of PNG and is the lifeblood of 430,000 people who depend almost entirely on products from the river and surrounding rainforests for their livelihoods. Oceanic Discoverer will cruise upriver to the middle Sepik region renowned for its unique artefacts. Sepik people are amongst the greatest primitive artists on earth and each village has its own distinctive style. We anchor this evening in this mighty river whilst overhead hundreds of flying foxes stream through the sky.

Day 5: Sepik River and Boisa Island
An early morning start offers a great opportunity for bird watching. Join the Guest Lecturers to identify Spotted Blue-eyed Cockatoos, Wagtails, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great Billed Heron, the enormous Blyth’s Hornbill and others as we cruise back down river. On farewelling the great Sepik we arrive at Boisa Island where villagers were evacuated following volcanic eruptions on neighbouring Manam Island in 2004. An abundance of children, outrigger canoes and genuine friendliness ensure an unforgettable experience.

Day 6: Historic Madang
The historic town of Madang sits on a peninsula surrounded by a number of picturesque islands. Famed for its diving, the waters surrounding Madang offer excellent visibility and many WWII wrecks to explore. Discover the town and enjoy the opportunity to purchase a large selection of artefacts from the Sepik region. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, diving and a harbour exploration.

Day 7: The Island of Tuam
Tuam, in the Sassi group of Islands, offers a mix of both mainland and Bismark Archipelago cultures. Their prized trinkets and decorations include dog’s teeth, spondyllus shells and wonderful balsa wood and sago bark headdresses. We enjoy the welcome dances and village hospitality.

Day 8: Tufi Fjords
Today enjoy a true highlight as we discover the scenic beauty of the rarely visited Tufi Fjords. Similar to Nordic fjords and featuring 25 individual canyons with sheer basalt cliffs, these are the only fjords in Papua New Guinea and offer a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. Soak up the spectacular views as we cruise close to the towering cliffs before boarding Xplorer to travel ashore to meet the friendly locals. Then, enjoy the opportunity to discover the region’s numerous white sandy beaches, take a leisurely swim and snorkel over spectacular fringing reefs.

Day 9: Dobu and Fergusson Islands
We are greeted by a flotilla of canoes as we approach the Dobu anchorage. Our Guest Lecturers will share with you the history of the Kula Ring where Dobu Island was a pivotal link between the north and south Kula trade routes. Meet the local primary school children who will welcome us with a traditional dance performance. After lunch we join the Expedition Leader on an excursion to the Dei Dei Hot Springs, where the traditional landowner shares the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs. Keep an eye out for the Blue-eyed Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots and Blyth’s Hornbills native to this region.

Day 10: Bona Bona Island
Enjoy a relaxing morning on board as we sail Papua New Guinea’s rugged southern coastline and soak up spectacular views of the Owen Stanley Range which majestically towers above. Later, join the Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturer aboard Xplorer to visit remote Bona Bona Island. The island rarely receives visitors and the locals will take delight in showing you their hand crafted canoes, artefacts and fishing tools. Before returning to Oceanic Discoverer there is time for a leisurely swim in the warm tropical waters. This evening, join the Captain and his crew at he Captain’s Farewell Cocktails.

Day 11: Port Moresby and Farewell
Awaken to stunning views as we enter Port Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour. Enjoy breakfast before farewelling new-found friends and disembarking Oceanic Discoverer at 08:00am.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow the itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.

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