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Home , Kennedy Island, SS President Coolidge, Tulagi

2020 VOYAGES TRAILS OF THE Solomons &

IMAGE ∏ Man wearing head-dress at Ureparapara

> A Passage to the Solomons > Battles & Beaches: The 75th Anniversary of WWII Expedition Paradise Of the south pacific FOR TRUE EXPLORERS Melanesia, from Papua New Guinea to the Solomons, Vanuatu, and , is an area of stunning diversity, home to over 1,000 languages and a multitude of unique customs. Our voyages take you through this string of island civilisations to encounter ancient tribal cultures, magnificent volcanic islands and idyllic white beaches. or dive over vibrant coral reefs and sunken wreckage from WWII. These in-depth journeys explore hard to reach islands and immerse you in the wild beauty, varied traditions, and wartime history of these regions. Our special voyage with the Australian Geographic Society Battles & Beaches of the South Pacific visits significant battlefield locations and commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific Theatre. 1

The Expedition Experience We explore remote locations that are hard to get to or not often touched by tourists, with shore excursions that promote adventure and environmental and cultural appreciation. Our small group size ensures that your experience is personal, with minimal impact on the communities and environments we visit. Enjoy excursions or activities each day. Expedition leaders and lecturers who are experts in the region accompany every voyage, providing commentary on culture, conservation, history, and the region’s unique geology, plants and wildlife to help you connect with these special places. Snorkelling & Scuba The opportunity to snorkel and scuba dive over spectacular coral gardens and WWII wrecks, and come face to face with brightly coloured tropical fish is a highlight of these cruises. Beginners can snorkel or experience introductory and resort- style dives, while more challenging dives are available to experienced divers. Our Dive Instructor accompanies you every step of the way. Snorkelling equipment is assigned to each guest at the start of your cruise. is subject 2 to medical clearance and medical certificate. See our website for more information.

INCLUSIONS WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED Expedition Note: ›› All excursions and sightseeing ›› Pre and post flights, These are expedition itineraries covering remote regions. Your ›› Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs, kayaks accommodation & travel Master and Expedition Team will make changes to the daily insurance and glass bottom boat schedule when necessary to maximise guest experience. These ›› Entry visas to Australia ›› Snorkelling and Scuba introduction itineraries are indicative - some variation may occur due to ›› Alcoholic beverages outside ›› Daily lectures and briefings weather conditions, safety or local community requirements. of lunch and dinner service ›› All meals, chef-prepared on board ›› Telephone and Internet We recommend that you do not arrive to the embarkation port ›› Selected wines, selected beers, services on the day of boarding or depart on the day of disembarkation juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner ›› Laundry due to unexpected changes that may occur in scheduling. ›› Coffee and selection of teas ›› Scuba diving ›› All entrance fees to National Parks and Ports IMAGES ∏ 1 The Solomons is home to many endemic bird species ›› Tips and gratuities ∏ 2 Child paddling an outrigger canoe, Island trails of The Solomons & Vanuatu

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Expedition Highlights

> Snorkel and dive almost every day (diving optional extra) over vivid coral gardens and relax on white-sand beaches at Egum Atoll, and Mangalonga > See the rich tradition of canoe-building at Budibudi > Experience the famous water music at > Enjoy enriching cultural visits to remote island communities and learn about ‘kastom’ and the Kula Ring > Spot and interact with wildlife, including Hawksbill turtles, dolphins, and pygmy parrots at important conservation areas 2 > Visit historic WWII wrecks and significant sites such as the sunken SS President Coolidge at Million Dollar Point, , Iron Bottom Sound, , and Havannah Harbour > Cruise into the cone of a sunken volcano at Ureparapara > Visit Torokina in Bougainville, site of the Japanese surrender > Cruise Iron Bottom Sound and pause to pay tribute to lost seamen at wreck sites like the HMAS Canberra

DEPARTURE & FARES

11 Nights - Departs: 12 Oct 2020 from Cairns aboard Coral Discoverer Bridge Deck Promenade Promenade Main Deck Main Deck Stateroom Deck Cat A Deck Cat B Cat A Cat B Twin Share $14,190 $12,170 $11,150 $10,650 $10,140 3 Sole Use n/a n/a $16,725* n/a n/a

13 Nights - Departs: 23 Oct 2020 from aboard Coral Discoverer

Bridge Deck Promenade Promenade Main Deck Main Deck Stateroom Deck Cat A Deck Cat B Cat A Cat B Twin Share $14,480 $12,410 $11,370 $10,860 $10,340 Sole Use n/a n/a $17,055* n/a n/a

Prices are per person, listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST. *Limited sole use occupancy available.

IMAGES ∏ 1 Beach-side house at Egum Atoll | 2 opportunities abound 3 Woman weaving palm fronds, Solomon Is | 4 Coral gardens at Mangalonga 4 A PASSAGE TO THE SOLOMONS BATTLES & BEACHES: 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WWII ITINERARY: 11 NIGHTS CAIRNS TO HONIARA ITINERARY: 13 NIGHTS HONIARA TO PORT VILA

DAY 1: DEPART CAIRNS DAY 1: DEPART HONIARA S Board the Coral Discoverer at 8:00am for a 9:00am departure. Enjoy the optional tour to key sites of the campaign. Board the Coral Discoverer at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure. DAY 2: CROSSING THE CORAL SEA Join the Expedition Team for an introduction to your voyage. DAY 2: This island is home to significant WWII history. Be welcomed to a DAY 3: SAMARAI & NUAKATA ISLAND small village, and swim and snorkel in Roviana Lagoon. Enter Papua New Guinea at Samarai, before we spend the afternoon at Nuakata in the Daiwari Islands to experience cultural DAY 3: & KENNEDY ISLAND demonstrations, hike to skull caves, or snorkel over coral reefs. Visit Kennedy Island, where John F. Kennedy swam ashore after his PT-109 patrol boat sank. Stroll through Gizo’s open-air markets and DAY 4: FERGUSSON ISLAND & DOBU ISLAND see the region’s legendary carvings. Optional extra: dive over the Visit Dei Dei Hot Springs and hear the mythical tales of this wreck of Toa Maru, a Japanese merchant ship. fascinating place. Later, learn the history of the Kula Ring at Dobu Island and snorkel over the Bubbling Springs Reef. DAY 4: BUIN & KANGU BEACH, BOUGAINVILLE During WWII, Japanese fortified this jungle coast. Here, the DAY 5: EGUM ATOLL destroyer Hatsuyuki was sunk, and Admiral Yamamoto’s plane was Enjoy an unforgettable experience at remote Egum Atoll. Enjoy shot down by US fighters. Relax and swim from the peaceful beach. opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and glass-bottom boat tours over colourful reef systems, and visit the local village. DAY 5: CAPE TOROKINA, BOUGAINVILLE The Japanese surrendered at Bougainville in 1945 aboard HMAS DAY 6: LAUGHLAN ISLANDS Diamantina. Go back in time with a guided tour of the village and the Laughlan Islanders specialise in canoe building, and here we find former Allied airstrip bombed by the Japanese. seagoing canoes under construction. At Bodaluna, locals share their way of life, then we enjoy the opportunity to swim or snorkel. DAY 6: This uninhabited island is protected by a conservation project and is DAY 7: GHIZO ISLAND & NJARI REEF an important nesting site for turtles. Enjoy snorkelling in the lagoon Visit Gizo’s open-air markets and see the region’s legendary or join local rangers on a turtle tagging program. carvings. Optional Extra: Scuba dive over Japanese ship wrecks. Later, snorkel at Njari Reef to admire the rainbows of tropical fish. DAY 7: TASSAFARONGA POINT & IRON BOTTOM SOUND Snorkel at the site of a Japanese transport ship and pause to pay DAY 8: ARNAVON ISLANDS tribute above the wreck of HMAS Canberra in Iron Bottom Sound. This marine reserve is home to the largest rookery of endangered Hawksbill Turtles in the South Pacific. At Kerihikapa Island, there is DAY 8: TULAGI & GHAVUTU ISLAND a chance to see turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests. Later, Tulagi is a significant site of wartime history. Be greeted by a visit the remote villages of Kia or Boeboe for dance and singing. traditional warrior welcome, take a township tour, and enjoy magnificent diving opportunities in the nearby harbour. DAY 9: MAROVO LAGOON One of the world’s natural wonders, this isolated lagoon has been DAY 9: MBOLI PASSAGE proposed for World Heritage listing. Enjoy the opportunity to sit This narrow waterway was a water supply point for Allied forces. down with locals, learn about village life, and admire their intricate Cruise the channel in Xplorer and spot shipwrecks. carvings of ebony and mother-of-pearl inlay. DAY 10: AT SEA DAY 10: MANGALONGA & SANDFLY PASSAGE DAY 11: UREPARAPARA Visit Mangalonga Island to snorkel and dive on the reef. We may Cruise into the cone of this extinct stratovolcano, surrounded on also enjoy a birdwatching walk on the island . This afternoon, enjoy three sides by 300 metre cliffs. Be warmly welcomed by the locals a scenic cruise through the island passages to spot shipwrecks. and witness the women perform water music in the sea. DAY 11: MARAU SOUND DAY 12: LUGANVILLE & MILLION DOLLAR POINT This area of verdant tropical islands is a geographical crossroad. Million Dollar Point offers diving and snorkelling over a vast dumping We may hear the panpipes played and watch the women perform ground of Allied war machinery. Close by, the wreck of SS President water music. There are five protected marine reserves established Coolidge is an extraordinary dive site. here, and we will snorkel in the turquoise waters. DAY 13: HAVANNAH HARBOUR DAY 12: ARRIVE HONIARA Visit the township and explore the harbour, a notable war anchorage. Disembark in Honiara at 8:00 am. DAY 14: ARRIVE PORT VILA Arrive in Port Vila at 7:00am to disembark at 8:00am.

PAPUA PAPUA NEW GUINEA NEW GUINEA Cape Torokina SOLOMON ISLANDS Buin

Arnavon Is Ghizo Tulagi Fergusson Is Ghizo Marovo Lagoon Rendova Mboli Passage Laughlan Is Tetepare Mangalonga Tassafaronga Egum Marau Sound HONIARA Samarai Atoll HONIARA SOLOMON ISLANDS Ureparapara VANUATU

Million Dollar Point Havannah Harbour CAIRNS PORT VILA CORAL DISCOVERER

Sundeck Bar SUN DECK Bridge Deck Bar

A05 A03 A01 Bridge Lounge BRIDGE DECK A06 A04 A02 WC

Workout Area B21 B19 B17 B15 B11 B09 B07 B05 B03 B01 PROMENADE DECK B22 B20 B18 B16 B14 B12 B10 B08 B06 B04 B02 Classic small ship Coral Discoverer is built for environmentally responsible small-ship Galley cruising, with refined steering capabilities, C09 C07 C05 C03 C01 active stabilisers, shallow draught, and a nimble Xplorer Boarding Dining Room MAIN DECK Xplorer tender to bring you close to remote C08 C06 C04 C02 destinations with ease. Reception With only 72 guests, an intimate atmosphere and warm Australian hospitality make you feel STATEROOM CATEGORIES SHIP SPECIFICATIONS at home. Spacious lounge areas, communal Bridge Deck Balcony Length 63 metres dining and open decks provide the opportunity BridgeMain Deck Deck Balcony Category Staterooms B BeamFeatures 13 metres • 20sqm • Private Balcony Draught 3 metres to relax or spend time with old and new friends. Main Deck Category A Promenade Deck Cat A Staterooms Staterooms• One Xplorer tender 36 & two Zodiacs Promenade Deck Category B • 18sqm • Picture Window Guests• Open Bridge 72 PromenadePromenade Deck Deck Cat Category B Staterooms A Top Speed 14 knots • Single seat dining • 15sqm • Picture Window Main Deck Cat A Staterooms • Three cocktail bars • 18sqm • Porthole Windows • Panoramic Sun Deck with daybeds Main Deck Cat B Staterooms • Spacious lounge and deck areas • 15sqm • Porthole Windows

5 IMAGE ∏ Man wearing head-dress at Ureparapara

EXPERIENCE CORAL ASSURANCE WHEN BOOKING DIRECT WE CARE: Our team is motivated solely to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. WE KNOW: Our knowledge of our ships and itineraries ensure you get the best advice. WE COMMIT: You will not get a better price elsewhere.

Contact us today or speak with your travel agent.

Online www.coralexpeditions.com Email [email protected] Free call (Australia) 1800 079 545 Outside Australia +61 7 4040 9999 UKP: Sales09 917Office 4440;+44 0800 0203 500 934 732 7170 (out of AKL agents) E: [email protected] Head office PO Box 2093 Cairns 4870 QLD Australia ∏ 2 Child paddling an outrigger canoe, Solomon Islands www.cruiseworld.co.nz ABN 51 010 809 417 Issued October 2019