Sail into a world that few have ever experienced: idyllic islands and isolated villages where unique time-honored traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome you into their world. Sail from Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, to discover the beauty of the outer Solomon Islands. Relax on this 12-day voyage as your ship glides into secluded bays, and takes you to remote oceanic islands where the art of traditional navigation lives today. This journey offers some of the greatest underwater experiences in the world, with an abundance of marine life and coral gardens that draw you in to explore a magical underwater world.
Day 01: Arrive Honiara, Solomon Islands
Destination1 Dinner
Arrive in the port town of Honiara and transfer to the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel for the first night. This evening meet with your fellow travelers and the expedition team over dinner at the resort.
Day 02: Embark in Honiara
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning enjoy a tour of Honiara, visiting historical sites including the iconic Japanese and American war memorials. Birdwatchers head to Mt Austen in search of some of the Solomon Islands’ most spectacular birds including the Solomon sea eagle. Board the Spirit of Enderby this afternoon.
Day 03: San Jorge Island | Santa Isabel
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
One of the largest and highest islands in the Solomon Islands, most of Isabel remains unexplored and undiscovered. Head for the remote southern shores around Thousand Ships Harbor, which is nestled between San Jorge Island and the high peaks of southern Santa Isabel. Beautiful uninhabited islands dot the waters and verdant forest covers slopes which surround the harbor as you are treated to a warm welcome and have the opportunity to explore the forest and coral reefs.
Day 04: Malaita
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Mountainous Malaita is home to one-third of the Solomon’s total population, with pristine rivers and unexploited tropical forests. Enter the seldom-visited Kwai Harbour, where the local people choose to live on small artificial islands off the coastline. You are treated to a rapturous welcome on tiny Ngongosila Island where the houses stand shoulder to shoulder. In this one small area several tribal groups overlap and these differences are readily apparent in dance and language. This afternoon the beautiful uninhabited Leli Island is the ideal snorkel site.
Day 05: Makira
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Makira is the most easterly of the main islands in the Solomon’s archipelago. Nearby to the east lies Santa Ana, a small raised coral atoll. Sea caves on the island are believed to be the site of first habitation in the Solomons, dating back to 1280 BC. This morning anchor in the calm waters of Star Harbour. Join the naturalists for a Zodiac exploration of the abundant mangrove forests that line the shores and take a short walk to Makira’s south coast where the villagers live much as they have for millennia. Spend time with the locals, who share with you their traditional song and dance. If you are lucky the local boys might be surfing on their hand-arved palm wood boards.
Day 06: Nendo, Temotu Province
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Nendö is the largest of the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie to the southeast of the Solomon Islands. The Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira unsuccessfully tried to establish a colony there in 1595. Biologically these islands share more in common with Vanuatu. This is the home of red feather money, sourced from the scarlet honeyeater. Venturing inland visit a village where the ancient traditions are still very much alive. Watch the manufacture of red feather money and join the locals in dances which reverberate through the ages.
Day 07: Duff Islands
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Duff Islands are a cluster of 11 small islands on the edge of the vast Pacific Ocean. Navigate the Zodiacs through the shallow passages in the reef to visit the only inhabited island, Taumako. Here you are welcomed by the Polynesian-speaking local people, who live on hand-crafted artificial islands of coral stone within the lagoon. These islands are exceptionally remote and the people largely cut off from the outside world; learn about their continued use of traditional sailing canoes.
Day 08: Vanikolo
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today explore the archipelago of Vanikolo, with its five islands encapsulated by a dramatic barrier reef which offers superb diving and snorkeling. French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse was stranded here after both his vessels, La Boussole and Astrolabe, struck this reef in 1788. On the shore visit a monument to Le Perouse, erected by fellow explorer Dumont Durville in 1827. Join the naturalists on a forest walk in search of the endemic white-eye and monarch or marvel at the delicate Vanikoro orchid. You also have a good chance to see the recently rediscovered Vanikoro flying fox.
Day 09: Vanua Lava, Vanuatu
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning arrive in Vanuatu at the northern outpost of Vanua Lava, the largest island in the Banks Islands which is crowned by the volcanically active Mt Séré’ama. Visit the administrative center of Sola or for a more active option, climb through the waterfalls behind the town for some excellent views over the bay. This afternoon explore the nearby offshore islands for snorkeling and beach combing. The surrounding waters are home to the recently discovered Vanuatu petrel.
Day 10: Espiritu Santo
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a full day ashore on Vanuatu’s largest Island, Santo, location of James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Early morning sees the birders ashore in search of many of Vanuatu’s endemic birds. Take the opportunity to swim in the beautiful waters of Champagne Beach. This afternoon use the Zodiacs to visit the iconic blue holes of Santo. For those with an interest in the history of this island there is a visit to Lugainville and Million Dollar Point.
Day 11: Ambryn
Ship1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Spirit of Enderby makes an inaugural visit to Ambryn, renowned as the island of volcanoes and magic throughout Vanuatu. Plan to head ashore at Ranon on the northern coast where the traditional Rom dance is still practiced and custom carving is alive and well. A short walk through the forest brings you to the ‘arena’ where masked dancers emerge from the forest. The forests of Ambryn offer some excellent walks to go in search of the local birds and plants, accompanied by your naturalists. This afternoon enjoy a final snorkel excursion.
Day 12: Disembark in Port Vila, Vanuatu
1 Breakfast
Arrive into Port Vila early morning and disembark. Upon disembarking a transfer to your central hotel or the airport concludes your voyage.
| Place | Night (s) | Hotels |
| Honiara | 01 | Solomon Kitano Mendana |
| Honiara | 01 | Ship |
| San Jorge Island | 01 | Ship |
| Malaita | 01 | Ship |
| Makira | 01 | Ship |
| Nendo | 01 | Ship |
| Duff Islands | 01 | Ship |
| Vanikolo | 01 | Ship |
| Vanua Lava | 01 | Ship |
| Espiritu | 01 | Ship |
| Ambryn | 01 | Ship |
- Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
- Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
- 11 nights in accommodation as per the program.( 01 Night in Hotel & 10 Nights in Ship)
- Meals as per Itineary.
- Guide Services ( English language )
- Entrance fees to the monuments.
- All taxes.
• International flights
• Personal Expenses.
• Camera / Video Camera Fees.
• Medical Aid.
• Tipping.
• Travel Insurance.
• Visa If any.
• Accommodation in good hotels.
• Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
• Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
• A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
• If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
• While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
• Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
• In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
