Solomon Islands Secrets: cruise from Guadalcanal to the Sepik River

Auckland, one of New Zealand's most populous cities, is located on the North Island of New Zealand. Auckland, known as Tamaki Makaurau, is based around twin harbours called Waitemata and Manukau Harbour extending up to volcanic hills to the west. Auckland has so much to offer when you combine an urban environment, stunning diverse landscapes and warming polynesian culture. Read more about Auckland, New Zealand

Norfolk Island is a small inhabited island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. With a sub-tropical climate tempered by the surrounding sea, tourists will find a host of things to do, including bush walking, visiting elegant convict-built Georgian buildings, bicycling, and fishing. Visit Emily Bay, where the great crescent shaped beach offers excellent safe swimming for families and snorkelling over coral reefs. Read more about Norfolk Island, Australia

Isle of Pines is a stunning islet off the coast of New Caledonia’s main island. Isle of Pines is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters and of course, tall pine trees! Melanesian people lived on the islet for over 2000 years before James Cook saw the islet in 1774 and gave the island its name due to the New Caledonian pines and their slender form. Read more about Isle Of Pines, New Caledonia

Maré is the second-largest, southernmost island of the Loyalty Islands, located in the archipelago of New Caledonia. Like the nearby island of Lifou, Maré is a ring-shaped coral reef known as an atoll, a former atoll that has been raised by 120 metres making Maré the highest island in the New Caledonian archipelago. The people of Maré, around 6,900, are mainly of Melanisan heritage who speak in their indigenous language of Nengoné. Read more about Mare Island, New Caledonia

Port Vila, the vibrant capital of Vanuatu, is located on the island of Efate and serves as the country’s main cruise port and cultural hub. Set along the picturesque shores of Vila Bay, this welcoming harbour town blends laid-back island charm with a rich mix of Melanesian, French and colonial influences.

Wander through colourful local markets, enjoy waterfront cafés and restaurants, or discover the history and traditions of Vanuatu at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and National Museum.

Just beyond the town centre, a range of natural wonders await—from the crystal-clear waters of the famous Blue Lagoon to the lush rainforest surrounds of Mele Cascades, one of Efate’s most beautiful waterfalls.

For those seeking adventure, Port Vila offers everything from snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and exploring nearby islands like Hideaway, Iririki and Erakor, to unique experiences such as the world’s only underwater post office. Read more about Port Vila, Vanuatu

Ambrym is an island in the archipelago of Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) in the South Pacific. It remains volcanically active, with two volcanic cones Benbow and Marum that still rumble away, and smaller vents and fractures that ooze steam and lava. The centre of the island is dominated by a massive 1900 year old 12 km diameter desert-like caldera that hosts multiple craters. Read more about Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Pentecost Island, which takes its name from the day on which it was first sighted by Europeans, is one of the 83 islands that make up the nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. It lies 190 km due N of the capital Port Vila. The island is long and narrow, with a mountainous interior, rain forest vegetation, streams and waterfalls. Read more about Pentecost, Vanuatu

Champagne Bay is located to the NE of the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu (New Hebrides until 1980), an island nation located in the South Pacific. The archipelago of Vanuatu lies at the centre of the other island groups Fiji, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation; and its highest peak is Mt Tabwemasana at 1879m. Read more about Champagne Bay, Vanuatu

Nendo is the largest, and most important of the Santa Cruz Islands, located in the Temotu province of the Solomon Islands. The island is also known as Santa Cruz, a name "Santa Cruz" given to the island in 1595 by the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, who unsuccessfully tried to start a colony there. With a population of 553 inhabitants Lata is the largest town on the island and is the provincial capital of the province which has a population of about 20,000 people. Read more about Nendo Island, Solomon Islands

Santa Ana Island is a raised coral atoll in the Makira-Ulawa Province of the Solomon Islands, east of Papua New Guinea. Port Mary, situated on a small bay of the same name on the SW of the island, is the main town. Each cruise ship Zodiac that arrives at the beach landing is greeted by a fierce “welcoming committee”, composed of local men, masked and mud-smeared, dressed in warrior costumes and brandishing spears, shields, and machetes. Read more about Santa Ana Island, Solomon Islands

Honiara, located on the northern coast of the island of Guadalcanal, is the capital of the Solomon Islands, which lie between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Pijin is the principal language. The climate is tropical, and while the most pleasant time to visit is winter, July to September, the cooling sea breezes temper the humidity and heat along all coasts year-round. Read more about Honiara, Solomon Islands