Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea & the Daintree - Cruise & Land Journey

North of Nadi through sugarcane plantations and past the Sabeto Mountains is Lautoka, nicknamed the Sugar City for the local agriculture and its big processing mill. With a population of around 50,000, it's the only city besides Suva and, like the capital, has a pleasant waterfront. It's the sailing point for Blue Lagoon and Beachcomber Cruises but is otherwise unremarkable for tourists, itself having few hotels and fewer good restaurants. Locals recommend the city as a less-expensive place to shop for clothing, but note that it can take as long as 45 minutes to drive here. Legend has it that Lautoka acquired its name when two chiefs engaged in combat and one hit the other with a spear. He proclaimed "lau toka" (spear hit) and thus the future town was named.

Bula! Welcome to Fiji and the nation’s second largest city, Lautoka, nestled in the heart of sugar-cane country. This sweet start to your voyage opens up a world of blissful beaches, turquoise seascapes, dense jungle and the always-smiling Fijian locals. 

Your journey of discovery begins with a warm greeting by the Captain and crew as you step on board Scenic Eclipse II. Sip on a glass of Champagne as you explore your luxurious suite, then join your fellow guests at the Sky Bar to toast the start of an unforgettable voyage.

Please book your flight to arrive into Nadi prior to 02:00 PM.

Look out for smoke in the air as you approach Tanna this morning. Mount Yasur is regarded as the world’s most accessible active volcano, regularly shooting sparks into the sky. Captain James Cook first observed ash eruptions in 1774, and the mountain is considered a sacred area by members of the island’s John Frum Cargo Cult, who believe their deity resides inside.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, there may be the opportunity to explore alongside your Discovery Team by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or to snorkel in clear waters with tropical marine life. Optional helicopter^ and submersible^ experiences may also be available.

Pentecost Island is a lush mountainous, tropical island stretching over 37 miles from north to south. It was named after the day on which the first European, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, sighted it on 22 May 1768. There are no towns on Pentecost - most of the islanders live in small villages and grow their own food in small gardens. Local traditions are strong, including the age-old ritual of land diving. This unique ritual was first given international exposure by David Attenborough in the 1950’s. Later, in the 1980’s, New Zealander AJ Hackett used the idea to invent bungee jumping. Every harvest season, the people of Pentecost construct the tower using saplings and branches held together with forest vines. It can take more five weeks to complete. Each young man who jumps must carefully select his own liana vine. Men and boys as young as seven jump from 60 -90 feet with only those vines attached to their ankles. This ceremony is believed to ensure a good yam harvest. It is also a fertility rite for men.

Pentecost Island, largely untouched and mountainous, is famed for its daring land-diving ritual. Once a rite of passage and blessing for the yam harvest, this extraordinary tradition inspired the modern sport of bungee jumping. Visitors can also experience the island’s rich culture and meet its welcoming communities, who live in harmony with the lush, dramatic landscape.

Espiritu Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu’s archipelago, enchants with Champagne Bay, one of the world’s most exquisite beaches where a freshwater spring flows into the lagoon creating a spa-like bubbling sensation at low tide. Inhabited by the Ni-Vanuatu, who preserve Melanesian traditions, you’re welcomed ashore with a lively string band and mesmerising performance of water music performed by local women. Taste seasonal fruits, nuts, and kava, a revered local drink, before a bus ride to swim in a stunning blue hole, immersing you in the island’s vibrant culture and natural wonders.  

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, there may be the opportunity to explore alongside your Discovery Team by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or to snorkel in crystal clear waters. Optional helicopter^ and submersible^ experiences may also be available.

Set on Ndende Island, also known as Nendö, Lata offers a peaceful introduction to the Solomon Islands’ natural beauty and island life. Welcoming local communities share insights into their traditions and daily rhythms, while pristine beaches and clear waters invite exploration. Beneath the surface, vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life make snorkelling a highlight, revealing an unspoilt underwater world in a tranquil setting.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, you may have the opportunity to join your Discovery Team for Zodiac cruising, kayaking, snorkelling or a guided nature walk. Optional helicopter^ and submersible^ experiences may also be available.

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.

Also known as Owaraha, Santa Ana Island is a remote coral atoll in the southeastern Solomon Islands, offering a rare glimpse into traditional island life. Explore vibrant villages, meet welcoming locals, and discover handcrafted items that reflect generations of cultural heritage. Along the shoreline, pristine beaches and clear waters invite relaxation, while snorkelling reveals colourful coral reefs and thriving marine life beneath the surface.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, there may be the opportunity to explore with your Discovery Team by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or to snorkel in the calm, clear waters surrounding the island.

Honiara is the capital city of the Solomon Islands on the north-western coast of Guadalcanal Island. It is the hub of all activity in the archipelago which has recently undergone an ‘urban boom’. Discover the cities beautiful landscapes and the significance of the city in the World War II.

The Solomon Islands’ largest island, cloaked in tropical rainforest, boasts palm-fringed coasts and pristine white-sand beaches. Surrounded by clear waters teeming with wildlife, the island invites you to delve into history through World War II relics and monuments, including the Battle of Guadalcanal sites. A guided tour of Honiara unveils its wartime significance, with stops at the bustling main market, Vilu War Museum, Cultural Centre, National Museum, and National Archives, blending natural beauty with rich heritage.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, you may be able to join your Discovery Team to explore by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or discover the surrounding waters with a snorkelling experience.

Alotau is the provincial capital of the Milne Bay Province located in the southeast bay of Papua New Guinea. The town and surrounding area has been an important staging ground during World War II and we will see remains and memorials dating back or referring to the war. On a tour of the town, visitors will appreciate lovely vistas of the bay and experience the markets, which are frequented not only by locals, but also by islanders selling their products or looking for produce to take back into Milne Bay. Alotau is an important port facility for the islands and attracts many vendors of handicrafts from different islands.

Located at the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea, Alotau is framed by lush rainforests, sheltered bays, and coral-rich waters. Nearby villages and islands offer opportunities to explore vibrant reefs, discover hidden waterfalls, and encounter dramatic volcanic landscapes. The region is also deeply connected to local traditions, with village life reflecting generations of cultural heritage. Whether exploring by water or ashore, Alotau provides an authentic introduction to Papua New Guinea’s natural diversity and an authentic introduction to Papua New Guinea’s natural diversity and deeply rooted cultural richness. 

Tonight, indulge in refined French cuisine at Lumière+, where elegance meets exceptional culinary craftsmanship. Enjoy exquisite dishes paired with fine wines in a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for a special evening.

Doini Island offers a peaceful tropical setting just off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay Province. Fringed by palm-lined shores and surrounded by clear waters, this small island is known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty.

Spend time enjoying the island’s tranquil surroundings, whether relaxing along the shoreline, exploring shaded walking paths, or taking in the coastal scenery. Beneath the surface, colourful coral reefs and diverse marine life thrive in the warm waters of Milne Bay, one of the South Pacific’s most celebrated marine regions.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authorities’ approval, you may have the opportunity to explore with the Discovery Team by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, snorkel nearby reefs, or join a guided walk to sites such as the Skull Cave or historic WWII remains.

Awake to another peaceful morning at Doini Island, with time to enjoy the calm atmosphere of this tropical setting before Scenic Eclipse II departs at midday. Take in the island’s quiet beaches, gentle coastal views, and shaded walking paths, or simply relax on board and savour the stillness of Milne Bay a little longer before continuing your voyage.

Tourism is the lifeblood of Cairns (pronounced Caans). The city makes a good base for exploring the wild top half of Queensland, and tens of thousands of international travelers use it as a jumping-off point for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Barrier Reef, as well as boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rain-forest treks.It's a tough environment, with intense heat and fierce wildlife. Along with wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah and tree kangaroos in the rain forest, you'll find stealthy saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and jellyfish so deadly they put the region’s stunning beaches off- limits to swimmers for nearly half the year. Yet despite this formidable setting, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are far from intimidating places. The people are warm and friendly, the sights spectacular, and—at the right time of year—the beachside lounging is world-class.

Enjoy a final morning aboard the Scenic Discovery Yacht, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and ports you’ve explored. After farewelling your Captain and crew, disembark in Cairns, where a private transfer takes you to Silky Oaks Lodge to begin your next chapter in the Daintree. On arrival, you’re welcomed with a refreshing elixir and guided through the lush grounds to your Treehouse Retreat, an elegant haven nestled above the Mossman River. As afternoon light softens, settle in with your complimentary in-suite mini bar, replenished daily for your enjoyment. Tonight, savour a seasonal three-course dinner in the open-air Treehouse Restaurant, paired with selected premium wines. The evening unfolds beneath a canopy of stars, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the rainforest.