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FROM

$11,690pp

Package #316

Join Coral Expeditions onboard expedition vessel Coral Geographer for a 13–night expedition voyage through the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This voyage reveals the remote coral atolls and beaches of the idyllic Melanesia region, with time to explore the wrecks and remnants of the war in the Pacific theatre, and expert guides on hand to discuss the various battle sites, historical significance, and strategies. This journey recognises the sacrifices and honours the legacy of Allied and Axis Forces that fought in the theatre of the Pacific War. These battles were fierce confrontations between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy with combined forces of Allied nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom forces. Many significant battles took place in the South Western Pacific countries of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu , and this expedition visits battle sites where relics remain either on land or below the sea. Pacific Islanders were greatly impacted by the war on their doorstep with some playing crucial roles, like the scouts who found John F Kennedy after his patrol boat was sunk. This expedition explores the history of the period and will also offer guests an immersion into the idyllic island landscapes, strong cultural traditions of Pacific Islanders and the renowned warmth and hospitality of the peoples of the Pacific. Special guest lecturer Rear Admiral Allan du Toit will join you onboard to share his knowledge. Package Inclusions

13 night Expedition Voyage aboard Coral Discoverer Daily guided excursions on the Xplorer and Zodiac tender vessels, and kayaks where conditions allow All meals, chef-prepared on board Showcase wines, selected beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner service 24 hour coffee and selection of teas Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Events, and Open Bridge Access with the Captain Comprehensive and fully guided sightseeing in each destination All entrance fees to National Parks and Ports PLUS! Ultimate Cruising guests also receive chauffeur driven luxury car transfers from your home to your nearest airport and return (within 35 km) Your Ship

Coral Expeditions is a 35-year-old Australian pioneering expedition cruise company. We operate and manage a fleet of three small expedition ships taking guests to some of the most beautiful, yet undiscovered, regions of Australia, Asia-Pacific, South-Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Over 8,000 travellers from all over the world travel with us every year who are attracted by our relaxed small ship atmosphere and itineraries which larger ships cannot replicate. At a time when the cruise industry is moving to larger and less personal ships, we have limited the size of our ships to maximise the expedition experience. Our small-batch cuisine is freshly prepared onboard with a simplistic and generous approach to quality and freshness, accompanied by quality Australian wine. We operate to high Australian standards of safety with Australian crew wherever we go. We were the first to offer interpretive programs reflective of the destinations we visit and to employ Expedition Leaders, Guest Lecturers, Marine Biologists, and SCUBA Instructors – a tradition that continues today. As sister ship to Coral Adventurer (launched April 2019), Coral Geographer will remain true to our pursuit of authentic expeditions. When designing our next generation of ships, we stubbornly resisted the trend to go large and glitzy. We remain small enough to go to untouched places, focusing on bringing small numbers of like-minded guests closer to nature and cultures with personal attention and professional Australian service. Arriving in 2021, the 120-passenger ship will feature the same state-of-the-art specifications and expedition features as Coral Adventurer – However, due to popular demand, she will have an increased number of 6 bridge deck suites with horizon bathtubs. Cruise Highlights

HONIARA An optional pre-cruise tour in Honiara includes visits to the Memorial at Skyline Ridge, the site of the Battle of Edson’s Ridge and others, before boarding Coral Geographer at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure. Cruise past Tassafaronga Point, where US Forces intercepted eight Japanese destroyers, before arriving at our overnight anchorage in the Florida Group of Islands. MANGALONGA & IRON BOTTOM SOUND At Mangalonga Island, we go ashore for an early morning birdwatching excursion with the chance to spot some of the many colourful species here, including claret-breasted fruit doves. We will also dive and snorkel nearby Popondaka Reef – the fishlife here is prolific and it also common to see feather stars and colourful anthias. Later this afternoon we will cruise Iron Bottom Sound, so named for the 32 allied ships that were sunk here during WWII. After cruising by , site of the key Battle of Savo Island, we will pause over the wreck of the HMAS Canberra and pay tribute to the 94 men who lost their lives as result of the attack: it remains the largest Australian warship ever lost in battle. MAROVO LAGOON One of the world’s natural wonders, this vast double barrier lagoon has been proposed for World Heritage listing. It was also a key supply base of the Japanese War machine during WWII, and therefore the target of relentless Allied plane attacks. Here we will snorkel and dive waters teeming with tropical fish, and meet the expert Marovo carvers who are famous for the intricate pieces they create from ebony, rosewood and mother-of-pearl. GHIZO & This morning, go ashore in the provincial town of Gizo to wander through the vibrant open-air markets. Divers may wish to dive the wreck of the Toa Maru with a local operator. Later, we cruise by Kennedy Island, where John F. Kennedy and his crew came ashore after their patrol boat was sunk. This afternoon, snorkel or dive at Njari Reef – a marvellous underwater world considered to be the best snorkelling location in the Solomons. ARNAVON ISLANDS & KIA This marine reserve is home to the largest rookery of endangered Hawksbill Turtles in the South Pacific, and supports some of the healthiest coral reefs. Protected by the unique Arnavon Community Marine Conservation Area, many of the rangers are from surrounding islands. Go ashore at Kerehikapa Island with the chance to see turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests. Later we cruise into Dart Sound and meet the locals at the village of Kia – where many of the committee members and rangers live. & MBOLI The old capital of the Solomons, Tulagi is filled with wartime history. Be welcomed by a traditional Solomon Islands warrior welcome, followed by music and dance performances. A guided walking tour of Tulagi reveals its history. This afternoon cruise the Mboli passage: this narrow waterway is the location of a station where Allied warships replenished water supplies, and the final resting point for WWII wrecks. Located at the Eastern tip of Island, this area of verdant tropical islands is a geographical crossroad, separating Guadalcanal’s calm northern waters from its Tasi Mauri or ‘weather coast’. Five marine protected reserves have been established here to protect the special environment. Here we will visit the local village with an opportunity to purchase handmade local craft, before spending the afternoon snorkelling, diving and kayaking the lagoon. STAR HARBOUR Be welcomed by the locals of Star Harbour this morning. Enjoy a colourful cultural performance before exploring the village, meet the children at the local school and learn about the harbour’s WWII history. NENDO Our last stop in the Solomon Islands, Nendo Island is an excellent location to view and purchase quality artefacts. Enjoy a cultural performance and an opportunity to snorkel from the beach. UREPARAPARA One of the most spectacular islands in the South Pacific, Ureparapara is an extinct volcano rising 764m above sea level. Cruising into the cone of the volcano, surrounded on three sides by towering ridges, is an unforgettable experience. Be welcomed by cultural performances, including ‘water music’ a percussive, hypnotic music created by slapping and moving the water, accompanied by the women’s vocal harmonies. Meet the friendly locals and explore the village. MILLION DOLLAR POINT Luganville, the site of a WWII Allied base, is surrounded by extraordinary dive sites. One of these is Million Dollar Point, named for the thousands of tons of war machinery that were dumped here. SS President Coolidge, is also a significant shipwreck here. Sailing into a minefield, she ran aground on the beach before capsizing. A very special shipwreck, it is considered by many to be the best wreck dive in the world. NGUNA Nguna Island has white sand beaches and the surrounding waters are marked as the Nguna-Pele Marine Protected area – home to numerous reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove forests and intertidal lagoons. The island’s coral gardens provide a stunning environment for snorkelling and diving. The Island also contains two extinct volcano craters, Mount Tapuora and Mount Marow. Excursion options include volcano treks, snorkelling & diving, and village explorations. TANNA This morning we approach Tanna Island and see our first signs of volcanic activity, hot springs bubbling beneath the surface. We are in for a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are met by the villagers, who drive us local style in the back of their trucks up through the forest of the lower reaches of Mt Yasur’s active volcano. Continue on foot to the rim of the caldera, and peer into the heart of the volcano and its lava pools. Return to the village to spend time with the locals and learn about their interesting customs. Departure Dates & Pricing Cruise departs Honiara 30 November 2021. Prices are per person in Australian Dollars and subject to availability and to change at any time.

CORAL Geographer TWIN SHARE PER PERSON SOLE USE* Bridge Deck Balcony Suite $22,390 N/A Explorer Deck Balcony $16,950 $25,425* Promenade Deck $13,690 $20,535* Coral Deck $11,690 $17,535*

Cruise Category Expedition Onboard Features Meals + Wine On-Board Lecturer Shore Excursions trip itinerary Day 1 Honiara Day 2 Mangolonga & Iron Bottom Sound Day 3 Marovo Lagoon Day 4 Ghizo & Kennedy Island Day 5 Arnavon Island & Kia Day 6 Tulagi & Mboli Day 7 Marau Sound Day 8 Star Harbour Day 9 Nendo Day 10 Ureparapara Day 11 Million Dollar Point Day 12 Nguna Day 13 Tanna Day 14 Port Vila The Vessel

Technical Details

Tonnage 5599 Built Date 2021 Crew 48 Capacity 120 Length 93.4mM Cruise Category

Luxury Expeditions Soft Adventures Coral Geographer We are proud to announce the build of our fourth expedition ship. As a sister ship to Coral Adventurer (launched April 2019), the Coral Geographer will remain true to our nature of authentic expeditions. When designing our next generation of ships, we stubbornly resisted the trend to go large and glitzy so we can remain small enough to go to untouched places, focusing on bringing small numbers of like-minded guests closer to nature and cultures with personal attention and professional Australian service. Her shallow draught and manoeuvrability allow her to go where larger vessels cannot. The 120-passenger ship will feature the same state-of-the- art specifications and expedition features as Coral Adventurer, however, due to popular demand, she will have an increased number of 6 bridge deck suites with horizon bathtubs. Construction is well under way and we look forward to providing you regular updates on her build and future sailing schedule. Expedition capabilities > Two trademark Xplorer tenders seat all passengers and facilitate comfortable shore excursions > Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration > Lecture lounge for daily expedition briefings and expert presentations > Small onboard library featuring books on destinations and wildlife > Shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems allowing access to locations closed to large cruise ships Marine immersion > Navigator lounge in the bridge > Over 1000 square metres of open deck space including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views > Engine room tours and a high level of crew interaction with guests Food and wine features > Single seating dining with communal table serves buffet breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners > Showcase galley with viewing window creating fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian and local produce > Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks > Curated wine cellar featuring boutique wines and exceptional vintage Australian reds Vessel Features

Gratuities

Meals + Wine

On-Board Lecturer

Shore Excursions

Solo Traveller Friendly

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