Expedition Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea And Indonesia: Island-Hopping To Hidden Pacific Gems

Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, straddles a volcanic isthmus between two harbours, offering a rare blend of Pacific Rim sophistication, Māori heritage, and dramatic natural beauty. Must-do experiences include a wine-and-oyster afternoon on Waiheke Island and the panoramic ascent of Maungawhau (Mount Eden) overlooking the harbour and Rangitoto Island. The ideal cruising season runs from November through March, when long summer days, calm seas, and pohutukawa trees in scarlet bloom make the Waitematā Harbour approach truly unforgettable.

The Bay of Islands, on New Zealand's North Island, is a maritime paradise of 144 islands steeped in Māori and colonial history. Must-dos include visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, dolphin watching, and cruising through the Hole in the Rock at Piercy Island. November through March brings the warmest weather and calmest seas, ideal for water-based exploration of this subtropical haven.

Kuto Bay on the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, is a beach of almost surreal beauty where prehistoric Araucaria pines frame waters of impossible turquoise above pristine coral reefs. Visitors must snorkel both Kuto and sacred Kanumera Bay, visit the natural swimming pool at Oro Bay, and taste traditional Kanak bougna cooked in banana leaves. September to December offers the best weather for exploring this UNESCO-protected lagoon paradise.

The Solomon Islands span 1,500 kilometers of the southwestern Pacific, combining pristine coral reefs, dense rainforest, pivotal WWII sites, and vibrant Melanesian culture. Must-dos include diving Iron Bottom Sound's wartime wrecks, snorkeling the world's largest saltwater lagoon, and experiencing traditional panpipe music. The dry season from May through October offers calm seas and ideal exploration conditions.

Rabaul is a partially buried volcanic town in Papua New Guinea's Simpson Harbour caldera, where the steaming Tavurvur cone, extensive Japanese wartime tunnels, and vibrant Tolai cultural traditions create one of the Pacific's most extraordinary port experiences. Visit during the dry season from May through October for volcano hikes, wartime archaeology, and diving enriched reefs.

Jayapura is the capital of Indonesian Papua, a frontier city where MacArthur's WWII headquarters overlooked Yos Sudarso Bay and the Museum Loka Budaya holds an extraordinary collection of Papuan art including ritual carvings and bilum bags. Must-do experiences include exploring the Sentani lake communities and their bark painting tradition, visiting the WWII landing sites, and birdwatching in the Cyclops Mountains reserve. May through October offers the driest conditions in this equatorial city.

Arguni in West Papua sits at the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, where the world's richest coral reefs harbour over 500 coral species, walking sharks, and pygmy seahorses in waters of almost incomprehensible biodiversity. Must-do experiences include diving the pristine reefs, searching for birds of paradise in the forest canopy, and encountering marine life found nowhere else on Earth. October through April offers the calmest seas and best diving visibility.

Komodo Island is the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage national park protecting approximately 5,700 Komodo dragons — the world's largest lizards — alongside one of Indonesia's richest marine ecosystems with world-class diving and snorkeling. Must-do experiences include guided dragon walks with park rangers, diving the nutrient-rich reefs of Batu Bolong, and hiking Padar Island for its iconic tri-colored beach panorama. April through November offers the clearest skies and best underwater visibility.

Bali, Indonesia's Island of the Gods, is a cultural and natural wonderland where ancient Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and vibrant artistic traditions converge around the cruise port of Benoa. Must-dos include Ubud's Tegallalang terraces, the cliff-top Uluwatu sunset kecak dance, and feasting on babi guling suckling pig. The dry season from April through October offers the most comfortable conditions.