Reiseverlauf

Reiseverlauf abhängig von Wetter- und Eislage. Beschriebene Naturerlebnisse / Tiersichtungen sind mögliche Ereignisse auf den Expeditionen und nicht garantiert.

• Tag 1

  Darwin
  Sa., 6. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Australia's capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city, and a historically isolated outpost of this vast, diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator, a full 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne, the city was named in honour of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history, beautiful islands nearby, and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavours, colourful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia's gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in, before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city's soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach, as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect great place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavours. Stroll the stalls, grab some food, and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote, but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War, as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942. This relaxed unassuming city has a deeply resilient backbone, however, and you can explore the museums to learn more of the war's impact on Darwin, as well as the devastating effects of one of Australia's worst natural disasters, Cyclone Tracy in 1973.

• Tag 2

  Day at sea
  So., 7. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

• Tag 3

  Pulau Nai
  Mo., 8. September
  Ankunft 13:00
  
  Pulau Nai or Nai Island belongs to the Moluccas archipelago, the so-called “Spice Islands”. It is a mere dot in the eastern limits of the Banda Sea, yet brimming with the key elements of paradise: sun, coconut palms and white sands.The abundant coconut palms provide the raw ingredient for one of the primitive local industries, the drying of coconut kernels to produce copra, from which coconut oil is later extracted. The other main industry on the island also makes use of the natural bounty. Agar seaweed is sprouted on long ropes anchored in the sea and then harvested and dried.Birders will enjoy listening for and spotting some of the local birdlife like the Kancilan Pulau (Island Whistler) and the Kehicap Kai (White-tailed Monarch). Maybe they will even confirm the presence of the Papuan Pitta, attired imperial-like with splendid blues and reds.The waters around Pulau Nai also offer their own idyllic experience. Snorkelling will allow you to cross the divide into the world of tropical coral ecosystems. Look for the different coral formations like brain, staghorn, fire and plate corals, as well as a range of fish that associate with these surreal coral gardens. If you cannot tell the difference between a wrasse and a damselfish, or a parrotfish and a surgeonfish, then rest assured your Expedition staff will be there to help you, allowing you to just enjoy the magical experience as you float along almost effortlessly.

• Tag 4

  Bicari Bay
  Di., 9. September
  Ankunft 06:00
  
  

• Tag 4

  Triton Bay
  Di., 9. September
  Ankunft 13:30
  
  In 2008, the Kaimana Regency declared a 6000 square kilometer (over 2,300 square mile) Marine Protected Area around the waters of Triton Bay. Conservation International maintains an office in Kaimana and a field station out in Triton Bay where visiting scientists can do their work studying the staggering marine biodiversity of the reserve. It is truly second to none, and the area offers everything from the tiniest pygmy seahorses, to large and graceful whale sharks. Triton Bay is known for its beautiful soft coral gardens as well as nesting green turtles, and a population of coastal Bryde’s whales.

• Tag 5

  Pulau Momon
  Mi., 10. September
  Ankunft 06:30
  
  Pulau Momon in West Papua is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. This remote island, or pulau, is one of Indonesia’s hidden gems. Witness chartreuse jungles rise from pristine, aquamarine oceans. Admire thundering waterfalls, unspoiled beaches and coral reefs which are rich in marine life.

• Tag 5

  Sebakor Bay
  Mi., 10. September
  Ankunft 14:30
  
  Sebakor Bay, carved out of Western Papua, promises stunning seascapes of dazzling white sand beaches, sparkling blue waters, and thick, lush rainforest. Sparsely populated, the bay holds Karas Island - where the unique language of Karas is spoken - and the Semai Islands. Exotic and remote, few people are lucky enough to soak in the glories of this far-flung corner of the world. The true beauty of Sebakor Bay lies below the surface of the seas. This area, to the west of the Bomberai Peninsula, is renowned for its incredible underwater caves. Mesmerising wildlife encounters also draw visitors from afar to these distant waters to discover their mysteries, which include vibrant coral reefs and exotic marine species thriving in this one of the best warm water marine environments in the world. On the beaches dotting the bay, soft white sand feels like powdered sugar underfoot, and clear, shimmering blue waters beckon for refreshing swims and hours spent snorkelling below heavenly blue skies.

• Tag 6

  Missool Island, Raja Ampat
  Do., 11. September
  Ankunft 13:30
  
  The Raja Ampat region of West Papua, with its multiple islands and intricate system of reefs lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This region has been called the most biodiverse area of ocean on the planet. One of the four larger islands is Misool, and the mystery and beauty of the deep aqua lagoons and mysterious vertical jutting rock formations defy description. Underwater surrounding Misool are steep coral walls and drop-offs that are festooned with table corals, staghorn corals, and orange and purple sea squirts. Snorkellers may see giant clams nestled into the coral formations while fish in rainbow colors sprinkle the reef above. On land visitors may enjoy beach activities and bird watching, or a nature walk to observe the marsupial fauna that live on Misool.

• Tag 7

  Fam Island , Raja Ampat
  Fr., 12. September
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  Otherworldly in their far-away beauty, the Fam Islands emerge spectacularly from beautiful blue waters just 80 miles from West Papua's shores. These tiny drops of land, coated with coconut palms and fringed by blissful sand beaches, are part of the diverse and dazzling Raja Ampat Archipelago. The waters glow in neon shades of blue and green, giving way to small islands tangled with mangroves and hidden away lagoons. A few small villages make up the population of the isles, so you can explore and enjoy this unspoiled scenery away from crowds. For those who love to snorkel, the Fam Islands are nothing short of paradise - an explosion of life and colour and one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet. As you explore, you might spot natural wonders below, like delicate Acropora, brain-like Favia, and intricate Gorgonian sea fans. Each snorkel feels like a celebration, swimming above underwater confetti in the form of millions of tiny, colourful tropical fish. Graceful manta rays can often be seen gliding through the waters, moving effortlessly above the riot of life below, and it's possible to glimpse eels, angelfish and lionfish in this most extraordinary of ecosystems.

• Tag 7

  Pulau Penumu, Raja Ampat
  Fr., 12. September
  Ankunft 14:30
  
  Admire incredible views of clustered karst islands emerging from idyllic turquoise seas. Brilliantly biodiverse and breathtakingly beautiful, Pulau Penumu specialises in astonishing island scenery. Ascend to the convenient wooden viewing point, where an extraordinary panorama of emerging karst islands - each coated in lush mangroves - unfurls before you. A stunning sight, the islands punctuate gorgeous light blue waters blotched with deeper and darker hues. Seek out more of Pulau Penumu's naturally beautiful views by hiking up to the Star Lagoon, which promises another five-star vision. Head up through the island's tropical flora to overlook the lagoon's distinctive celestial-shaped waters spreading below. Refresh after your exertions with meaty coconuts, freshly cracked open for their sweet, hydrating water. Just to the north of the Fam Islands, Pulau Penumu also offers enriching swimming and snorkelling opportunities, and fabulous, tranquil beaches spread out wherever you look. The views alone make this island a true gem of Raja Ampat and Indonesia's Coral Triangle.

• Tag 8

  Pulau Wayag, Raja Ampat
  Sa., 13. September
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  

• Tag 9

  Pulau Ayu
  So., 14. September
  Ankunft 04:30
  
  

• Tag 10

  Day at sea
  Mo., 15. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

• Tag 11

  Vanimo
  Di., 16. September
  Ankunft 13:00
  
  Only about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Indonesian border, Vanimo is the capital of the Sandaun (or Sundown) Province. It is one of only two towns in this remote region of Papua New Guinea. Although the Sepik River originates in the province, it bypasses Vanimo far to the south. The Sandaun Province is relatively undeveloped, but Vanimo has lovely beaches and some picturesque villages in the vicinity. The interior is covered in rainforest and logging is an important activity putting to use Vanimo’s port and protected bay.

• Tag 12

  Ali Island
  Mi., 17. September
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  Ali Island is one of the four islands located close to Aitape, off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea. The eastern shore of Ali Island has a beautiful white sandy beach and offers swimming and snorkeling. The five villages on the island connect via well-maintained trails that lead to the school and Catholic church closer to the northern end of the island. The indigenous populations of this island are welcoming to guests and yet maintain their unique way of living and dressing, with colorful ceremonial headdresses, arm bands and grass skirts. A village walk will take visitors past the clean local homes and gardens, to the Catholic church with its interesting paintings of the via crucis. Chat with the islanders or relax on the beach.

• Tag 13

  Madang
  Do., 18. September
  Ankunft 08:30
  
  The very first houses of Madang were located on a small peninsula jutting into the Bismarck Sea –the land between today’s port and the Forum Park. The site had been chosen for its deep harbor and the fresh sea breeze. Found some 40 kilometers south of Cape Croisilles, the northern point of Astrolabe Bay, the port and station were originally called “Friedrich Wilhelms-Hafen” after the Prussian Crown Prince. The station had been built in 1891 to be the provincial headquarters of German New Guinea from 1892 onwards. After WWI and the eviction of the Germans, the town’s name was changed to Madang. Madang was occupied by the Japanese during WWII and to honor the coastwatchers working behind enemy lines, the Coastwatchers Memorial Lighthouse was inaugurated at the entrance to Madang Harbor at Kalibobo in 1959. Not only is this a shining light for shipping, it has also become an iconic feature of Madang. Today the town has a population of some 36,000 inhabitants and is connected by road to Hansa Bay in the north and Lae and the highlands to the south. Cattle, cocoa and copra are important produces from Madang Province. With more than 170 languages spoken in the province, the small museum holds interesting pieces relating to the history and cultures of Madang and surrounding areas. Several of the trees along Modilon Road show hundreds of resting fruit bats waiting for the evening’s flights, some of them find their way to the Main Market.

• Tag 14

  Garove Island
  Fr., 19. September
  Ankunft 13:30
  
  The volcanic island of Garove is part of the Witu Islands and once had a 5-kilometer-wide (3.1 miles) caldera. The island was historically used to produce copra and cocoa and in fact still is today. Most of the villages are located around the exterior of the volcano. Steep cliffs explain why there is only one area settled on the inside. A promontory at the entrance’s southwestern corner is taken up by the school and the catholic church of the village of Widu the only village inside the caldera.

• Tag 15

  Rabaul
  Sa., 20. September
  Ankunft 08:30
  
  If surreal and unique experiences are your thing, then the Papua New Guinean town of Rabaul should tick your travel boxes. Found on the north eastern tip of New Britain Island (the largest island off mainland PNG) Rabaul, the former provincial capital, has quite a remarkable location. The town is inside the flooded caldera of a giant volcano and several sub-vents are still quite active today!The lively city was almost entirely devastated by Mount Tavurvur in 1994, covering the city in ashfall, but thankfully costing no lives. Since then, thanks to Rabaul's deep-water port, commerce has been on the up, and a few shops and hotels have managed to find an audience. However, Rabaul's remote location together with the volcano still being one of the most active and dangerous in Papua New Guinea means tourism in not rife.Rabaul has an impressive WWII history which includes a 300-mile network of tunnels dug by Japanese POW designed to conceal munitions and stores. After the Pearl Harbour bombings, the Japanese used Rabaul as their South Pacific base for the last four years of WWII, and by 1943 there were about 110,000 Japanese troops based in Rabaul. Post war, the island was returned to Australia, before it was granted independence in 1975.It should be noted that patience is a virtue here. However, that is not all bad. The slow pace of transportation allows travellers to marvels at the quite astonishing landscape. Divers will also be richly rewarded – the marine life of the island is extraordinary.

• Tag 16

  Day at sea
  So., 21. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

• Tag 17

  Kennedy Island
  Mo., 22. September
  Ankunft 14:00
  
  Wild, uninhabited and historical, Kennedy Island is a tiny piece of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Part of the remote Solomon Islands, the island is situated 15 min away by boat from Gizo, which is capital of the Western Province. Kennedy Island was formerly known as Plum Pudding Island, after an incident dating back to World War II. Incident involving one of the most famous figures of history.John F. Kennedy, a lieutenant at the time, was a castaway on the island with his crew when their torpedo ship, PT 109, was shot sunk by the Japanese troops in August 1943. It is said that the future president swam dragging an injured crewmate by holding the strap of his life jacket in his teeth until reaching the island. He and his crew fed themselves with coconuts during two days before being found by Solomon Islanders. JFK even kept a coconut shell from the island on his desk in the Oval Office throughout his presidency.For our history buffs, some artefacts dating from the crew’s passage can still be found on site. An island marked by history in short, but not only. Discovering Kennedy Island is an experience not to be missed for diving and nature lovers. The waters that surround the island are a submerged world of great richness and variety of colourful fishes and corals.

• Tag 18

  Mbili Island
  Di., 23. September
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  

• Tag 19

  Santa Ana
  Mi., 24. September
  Ankunft 13:30
  
  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.

• Tag 20

  Day at sea
  Do., 25. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

• Tag 21

  Champagne Beach
  Fr., 26. September
  Ankunft 08:30
  
  As world famous beaches go, Champagne Beach is one of the big hitters. In 2003, CNN ranked it number nine in its list of top 100 beaches and independent travel specialists permanently include it on their list of 50 best beaches worldwide. It’s one of the world’s greatest natural beauties: picture-perfect beach white sand, turquoise water and nothing – save for the occasional cow or curious turtle - around. With only coconut plantations and a few friendly locals to keep you company, this might just be the island of your dreams.The glorious name “Champagne Beach” was given to the island in the 17th century, when Pedro de Quirós believed he had reached the famous unknown southern land or the “Tierra Australis Incognita” (or Australia as we now know it). He believed the effervescent bubbles of volcanic origin that bubble up from the crystal clear waters were reminiscent of the bubbles of Champagne. Additionally, the coastline is shaped like an art deco Champagne saucer, so the name stuck!The beach is located on the largest yet least populated island in the 40-island Vanuatu archipelago, near the village of Hog Harbor on Espiritu Santo Island. If you want to venture beyond the beach, then Espiritu Santu is also famed for its blue holes. The island is home to some of the clearest waters on Earth, benefiting from natural filtering from underground limestone caves. Ride or paddle your way through emerald green rainforest amid the sound of birdsong for an experience that will make your soul sing.

• Tag 22

  Ambrym Island
  Sa., 27. September
  Ankunft 06:30
  
  Unlike Espiritu Santo with its raised coral reefs and white sand Ambrym is a volcanically active island with dark sand beaches. Ambrym is known as the island of magic and is the source of five local languages that all evolved on Ambrym. This handful of languages contributes to the well over 100 languages of Vanuatu. Some of Ambrym’s magic takes place in the lush greenery of the local community of Ranon. Here the people perform a very special and traditional ‘Rom’ dance. Participants prepare their masks and costumes in secrecy and the dance is reserved for special occasions.

• Tag 23

  Day at sea
  So., 28. September
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

• Tag 24

  Lautoka
  Mo., 29. September
  Ankunft 09:00
  
  It doesn’t get much sweeter than arriving on the sun-soaked shores of the Sugar City. Fiji’s second-biggest settlement opens up a world of blissful beaches and turquoise seascapes while its dense jungle lures the adventurous deep into its embrace. Experience rich Fijian life and see dramatic displays like warrior dances and remarkable local practices like firewalks which kick up burning embers into the night's sky. Legend says the city took its name after two chiefs faced each other in a duel. A spear pierced one of the chiefs leading to the shout of 'lau-toka!' or 'spear hit!' Sugar is Lautoka’s main trade but its botanical gardens are a sweet insight into the tropical plant life that thrives here - from pearl white lilies to tall fragrant orchids. Explore temples charming cafes and mills - or barter for some of the juiciest mangoes you’ll ever taste at the city’s lively market. You'll only be able to resist the beaches for so long and it doesn’t get much more stunning than the Blue Lagoon - a heavenly blend of woven together turquoise shades. Remote wild and unspoiled these are some of the best tropical beaches in the world. There's more rejuvenating relaxation at the mineral-rich mud pools and spas fuelled by the volcanic activity below. Savala Island is a teardrop of sand offshore and another beautiful place to wander with the soft powder between your toes - along sandy spits that peter out into the water. Or swim and snorkel among its envied reefs thronging with fish life.