Frontier Lands of Papua New Guinea - From Cairns to Madang Cruise

Embark Cairns: Arrive at Trinity Wharf (berth to be advised) for boarding at 7:30am for a 9:00am departure. Cruise across the Coral Sea and spend the afternoon relaxing as you are welcomed onboard Coral Adventurer. Join our expedition staff as they introduce you to the journey and the many experiences you will enjoy. This evening, join the Captain’s welcome drinks and meet your crew and fellow guests as the sun sets.

Embark Madang: Make your own way to the Cairns International Airport for check-in and charter briefing at 7:30am before joining the charter flight departing 10:30am. After the charter flight guests will be transferred from Madang Airport to Madang Resort. Light finger food and refreshments provided. There will be time to visit markets along the waterfront outside the resort before a transfer to join the ship at 4:00pm before a 5:00pm departure. This evening, join the Captain’s welcome drinks and meet your crew and fellow guests as the sun sets.

Spend today relaxing onboard, listen and learn from our Guest Lecturer presentations, or enjoy an engine room or bridge tour.

Located off the south-eastern tip of New Guinea in the China Strait, choose to explore the colonial settlement of Samarai, with a chance to purchase pearls from a local pearl farmer, or go for a snorkel at nearby Ebuma Island.

Join our Expedition Staff on a walk to Dei Dei Hot Springs on Fergusson Island, where the people share their mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs located at the base of an extinct volcano. Locals still use the hot springs to cook food in palm frond baskets. Learn of the history of the Kula Ring at Dobu Island and meet the local primary school children, who will welcome us with a traditional song, and spend some time snorkeling in the Bubbling Springs Reef.

Historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’, the Trobriand Islands offer a glimpse of traditional cultures largely unspoiled by outside influence. Be greeted at the small island of Kuiawa with an enthusiastic Trobriand’s welcome.

Today enjoy a true highlight as we discover the scenic beauty of the Tufi Fjords. Featuring 25 individual canyons with sheer basalt cliffs, these are the only fjords in Papua New Guinea and offer a wealth of sightseeing opportunities.  Aboard Xplorer, travel to the entrance of one of Tufi’s most scenic fjords where you will be met by local villagers in traditional dress aboard outrigger canoes. Have the opportunity to board one of the outriggers as the locals paddle up the creek under the rainforest canopy. Here, spirits and sorcery remain integral to village life, and we will learn about bush medicines, fire making, mat weaving and traditional tattooing.  Deep in the rainforest, have the chance to witness the tribesmen perform a traditional sing song in their ceremonial dress. Later, discover white sand beaches, or snorkel or dive over spectacular fringing reefs.

We land at Buna beach, home to some of the toughest fighting in the WWII Pacific campaign. Enjoy a welcome from the local residents, and then be guided through the jungle to visit the areas where Allied forces clashed with Japanese forces. In Sanananda, see the local monuments and pay tribute to fallen Australian soldiers at the war museum, located at the far end of the Kokoda Track. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the lush gardens surrounding the village.

We arrive at Morobe Harbour early in the morning and cruise in the Xplorer to view the stunning forest from the Mou River. We receive a warm Oro Province welcome and enjoy exploring the village with local guides. At high tide, we may be able to cruise further into a picturesque hidden bay.

In the morning, during a relaxing visit to the village, we are entertained with singing and dancing performances and join a local guide around the village. Board an outrigger canoe to explore further up the river with a guide and experience snorkelling and diving at the Biangatu Island reef in the Fly Islands.

At the beautiful anchorage of Dregerhafen, you will enjoy a high-spirited Papua New Guinea welcome and explore the market which is famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. There are many WWII artefacts in this area. After lunch, enjoy snorkelling, diving, and kayaking in the blue waters of the lagoon.

Visit Busen or Maringis Villages at Karkar Island and enjoy welcome sing sings before touring the copra and cocoa processing areas. In the afternoon there is opportunity to snorkel off the fringing reef and bommies close to shore.

As we arrive at the mouth of the famed Sepik River we are greeted with stunning views of the landscape and this mammoth river which cuts a swathe through lush forest. Our first stop on the Sepik River is at the village of Bien, where local villagers greet us on their canoes and follow with dance performances. There is an opportunity to purchase highly sought-after hand-crafted artefacts, masks and carvings at the Sepik market.

Disembark Madang: Arrive in Madang to disembark Coral Adventurer at 8:00am. Enjoy an included tour of Madang with a member of our expedition team until midday. For those joining our post-cruise charter flight back to Cairns, this will be a direct flight to Cairns, with  Coral Expeditions staff member to accompany you.

Disembark Cairns: Disembark Coral Adventurer at 6:30pm in Cairns and bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew. A post cruise transfers to Cairns CBD hotels or the airport is included.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.