Spice Islands Explorer Cruise with Darwin Stay

14 Day Cruise Package

Discover the legendary Spice Islands of the Moluccas with this spectacular 14 day cruise package (Sept & Oct 2018). Follow the historic spice trail as you explore these colourful and vibrant islands - take in the rich heritage of Sultanate of Ternate, see traditional ceremonies and dances of Indonesia and West Papua, take in spectacular lava flow at Mount Gamalama, snorkel and dive pristine coral reefs, explore an underwater plane wreck and swim or snorkel with the gentle giants of the sea – the Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua. Live the stories you’d love to tell on this varied voyage. Themes include: Northern Territory, Departs from Darwin, Small Expedition Ship, Returns from Darwin. + Show more

Package Includes

  • 12 Day Coral Expeditions Spice Islands Cruise (Indonesia)
  •  Return Flights to Darwin (pricing options below)
  • All Flights (e.g. home to Adelaide, Biak to Darwin & Darwin to home)
  • 11 Nights Twin Cabin Accommodation aboard Coral Discoverer
  • 2 Nights Accommodation in Darwin
  • All meals aboard the Coral Discoverer, 24 hour coffee and tea, FREE Guided Glass Bottom Boat Tours, FREE Snorkeling and Introductory SCUBA Session, All Entrance Fees
  • Return Airport and Port Transfers (If cruising Biak to Darwin - Biak Airport to Port transfer not included)

Highlights

  Darwin   Spice Islands of the Moluccas   Banda Neira   Kora Kora Canoes   Fort Belgica   Bacan Islands   Bacan Archipelago   Pulau Kasiruta   Fishing Villages   Ternate   Fort Tolukko   Mount Gamalama   Volcanic Mountain   Cengke Afo Clove Plantation   Sultan's Palace   Run Island   Tobelo   Karkara Island   Traditional Dances & Games   Molana Island   Saparua   Duurstede Fort   Roon Island   Japanese Zero Plane Wreck   Underwater Plane Wreck   Snorkelling   Whale Sharks   Swim with Whale Sharks   Cenderawasih Marine Park   Kwatisore Village   Local Markets   Biak   Glass Bottom Boat Tour   Living Reef Coral Lagoon   Banda Sea   Arafura Sea   Scuba Diving   Cyclone Tracy Museum   Mitchell Street restaurants and cafes   Mindil Beach Sunset Markets   Cullen Bay Marina   World War II Oil Storage Tunnels
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Departure Dates

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Descriptions

Day 1 Welcome to Darwin

Fly to Darwin this morning and feel the spirit of the Top End. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, stroll the streets that are lined with tropical flowers and trees. It's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a blend of tropical frontier outpost and outback hardiness. You will be personally met at the airport by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel  to begin your adventure! You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Darwin.

Meet and Greet Personalised Arrival Transfer, Overnight Darwin Accommodation.

Day 2 Board Coral Discoverer & Cruise to the Spice Islands

Cosmopolitan Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory and Australia's only tropical city, the city is vibrant and has a wealth of things to see and do . Immerse yourself in the colourful, local Aboriginal culture, cruise around beautiful Darwin Harbour and meet the fearsome crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove. Spend the day exploring Darwin at your own pace before Today you will be personally met at your hotel by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred to Darwin Wharf to begin your cruise.

Feel the excitement as you step onboard, you have now begun your epic journey to the legendary Spice Islands - expect the tropical islands to be mountainous, perfumed, and fertile, with smoking volcanoes and coral reefs teeming with colourful fish. You can look forward to absorbing the wild beauty and varied traditions of these regions, and learn about their pivotal role in maritime history.  Don't forget your passports!

This evening, join your fellow travellers at the Captain's Welcome Drinks in anticipation of your remarkable journey discovering the Spice Islands.

Meet and Greet Personalised Port Transfer, Special Captain's Welcome Drinks, Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 3 At Sea

As you cruise across the Timor Sea towards Banda Neira, spend the day at your leisure.

The on board staff will ensure your comfort whilst you travel. Take in interpretive lectures by professional guides, enjoy a drink from the sun deck new as you soak in the panoramic views or take the opportunity to visit the bridge and observe the Captain navigate around the islands.

Your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be truly unique.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 4 Banda Neira & Spice Islands

In the middle of the Banda Sea lies the centre of the Spice Island trade. Originally the world’s sole source of nutmeg and mace, these islands have attracted traders since at least 2,000 years ago. Enjoy learning about this enchanted fragment of history.

As you come to shore at Banda Neira, be welcomed by Banda’s famous Kora Kora canoes and delight in seeing them in action. Enjoy your lunch on board the Coral Discoverer before exploring Fort Belgica, built in 1611. Explore the beautiful relic as you take in the holistic view of a volcanic mountain, the overview of city and nearby port.

Join the locals for a traditional dance and music performance, before finishing your day with a glass of champagne as you watch the sun setting over the fort.
 
Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 5 Banda Neira & Run Island

This morning, you may choose to either wander through the streets of Banda Neira, passing the remnants of mansions constructed during Dutch colonialism and enjoy your morning tea along the water front. Or you may prefer to spend the morning snorkelling or diving on the nearby lava flow reef system. 

Visit Run Island next and learn about the strange connection it holds to Manhattan, as forged on the Treaty of Breda between the English and Dutch.

 Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 6 Molana Island & Saparua

This morning you will awake at Molana Island. Enjoy a relaxing start to the day with time for a morning snorkel over the pristine reef environment. An almost deserted island, Pulau Molana is just off the coast of Saparua and with no crowds you should have,  fabulous beach all to yourself.

Later, visit the historic town of Saparua; known for its pleasant beaches, coral reefs and historic Dutch fort. A crowd will then lead you to 17th century Duurstede Fort, where a war party will dance for you.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 7 Bacan Islands: Pulau Kasiruta

Today you will visit the historic Bacan Islands. Head ashore at Pulau Kasiturta, the second largest island in the Bacan archipelago, taking in its dense rainforest and mountainous terrain. Visit a local fishing village before spending your afternoon enjoying water activities off the splendid, unspoilt beaches on its coast.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 8 Ternate

Enjoy a visit to Fort Tolukko - originally a defense fort, as well as a storage centers for Ternate genuine spice. Located at very strategic place, it is settled on the hilltop that offers the perfect place to monitor all the movements that occur in Ternate Sultanate Palace. 

The Ternate Sultan’s Palace is truly interesting, visit the palace and learn about the kingdoms history. To the rear of the palace is the impressive volcano Gamalama. It is often referred to as the peak of Ternate is believed to have many sacred values to the local community. Take in the panoramic views as you enjoy a scenic drive that will take you to a spectacular lava flow off the volcano, which has been active in recent years. 

Next you may explore the local markets, or visit the Cengke Afo Clove Plantation, home to what experts believe is the oldest clove tree in the world, between 350 and 400 years old.

This afternoon, discover a nearby reef system and enjoy time to snorkel.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 9 Tobelo

Cruise around to the northern tip of Halmahera to the humble town of Tobelo - a major transport hub for north-eastern Halmahera. Enjoy the views of the bay which is surrounded by lush green islands and beautiful coral reefs. Venture to the communal House or Hibualamo with a chance to see into the island's native culture and be entertained with traditional dancing, music and singing.

If time allows, you may enjoy snorkelling or swimming at the nearby Karkara Islands.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 10 At Sea

Spend a relaxing day at sea. 

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind. Whether that is attending presentations by the Guest Lecturer and Expedition Team, writing home to your loved ones or simply topping up your tan on the sun deck, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to your busy days spent exploring shore side.

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 11 Roon Island

Located just north of the border between West Papua and Papua New Guinea, Palau Roon ( Roon Island ) is a remote, majestic island. The Bay here is a destination for those interested in exploring forgotten WWII wrecks and amazing marine diversity on rich reefs. 

Renowned for its nearby dive and snorkelling spots, including a Japanese Zero plane underwater wreck - if you are interested in exploring the underwater ecosystem you may encounter a beautiful array of sea animals, including the tiny Pygmy Seahorse all the way to the great Wobbegongs (bottom-dwelling sharks). Conditions permitting, you may like to take a glass bottom boat tour and experience the reefs up close and personal without even getting wet!

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer.

Day 12 Cenderawasih Bay & Kwatisore

Deep in the heart of this flourishing equatorial wilderness is a biodiversity hotspot – Cenderawasih Bay. Cenderawasih Bay is dotted with hundreds of small islands and atoll’s, home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in Indonesia. Cruise into the Cenderawasih Marine Park and feel the excitement build as you go in search for the biggest fish in the sea, the majesctic Whale Shark. Nature permitting, you will see these beautiful creatures interacting with local fishermen and swim with these gentle leviathans enjoying countless breath-taking encounters. This is one of the very few places in the world where is is possible to swim with these sublime animals and you may even have a chance to snorkel among them.

Later, visit the Kwatisore Village to absorb the local culture through traditional dances and games. 

Overnight Accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer. 

Day 13 Biak

Arrive into Biak this morning and enjoy a tour of the town. Visit the Binsari Cave, used by Japanese troops during WWII as a hiding place and logistic storage and other local attractions before boarding your charter flight back to Darwin. On arrival in Darwin, you will be personally met by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

Airport Transfers, Overnight Darwin Accommodation.

Day 14 Say Goodbye to Darwin

Today marks the end of your journey through the Spice Islands. You will be personally met by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to the railway station, from the railway station on arrival in Darwin to your hotel and from your hotel to the airport to meet your flight home.

Meet and Greet Personalised Departure Transfer.

Flights Included

This package includes all flights as detailed below in the price section (including all fees, levies and taxes). 

Airport Transfers Included

You will be personally met DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel and from your hotel to Darwin Wharf to begin your cruise. You will also be transferred from the cruise terminal to the Biak airport for your flight to Darwin. You will also be personally met by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from Darwin Airport to your Darwin hotel and from your Darwin hotel to Darwin airport for your flight home.

Darwin Accommodation Included

You have 2 choices of accommodation in Darwin. Our "Deluxe" central Darwin has superior facilities, stylish rooms and first class service (typically 4 stars). Alternatively, why not treat yourself? The “Luxury” hotels are upscale with a more luxurious feel for the discerning traveller and great for celebrating an anniversary (typically 5 stars).

Coral Expeditions in Detail

Use this tool for full details and images on Coral Expeditions:
Overview Coral Discoverer Coral Adventurer Coral Geographer
On Board Facilities Dining & Lounge Inclusions Shore Excursions

Overview

Coral Expeditions is Australia’s pioneering expedition cruise operator, sailing for four decades. The fleet of three specialised expedition ships and tenders take guests to some of the most beautiful, yet undiscovered islands and coastal regions of the world. Travellers are attracted by the relaxed small ship atmosphere and itineraries that larger ships cannot replicate.

Coral Expeditions offer the ultimate in boutique, personalised cruising, limiting the size of their ships to maximise the expedition experience. Cuisine is prepared small batch on board using quality Australian produce and wine. Operating to high Australian standards of safety with Australian crew wherever they go. Coral Expeditions were the first to offer interpretive programs reflective of the destinations they visit and to employ Expedition Leaders, Guest Lecturers, Marine Biologists, and SCUBA Instructors – a tradition that continues today. 

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Spice Islands Explorer Cruise with Darwin Stay

 14 Day Cruise Package

$ 10469 *

*Starting holiday costs per person, two share, for low seasons (A$). Seasonal surcharges apply outside of low season. Early Bird Specials require travel outside of the next 6 months (ie travel in more than 6 months time). As prices vary based on travel dates, be flexible with dates to get the for the best deals! Itinerary and vehicle types subject to change without notice. Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices apply, book now. Passports and visas for Indonesia are required. Some governments and service operators have Covid vaccination requirements. Your included flights advised via email with 24 hours to select alternative flights, routing or airline (alternatives may be at a higher price). Included flights may not be the most direct routing. Arrive earlier/stay longer for specified airports only. Stop-overs are not possible. Subject to Booking Conditions, see Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp372

Departures Departs: 19/09/18 and 30/09/18

The Spice Islands Explorer Cruise with Darwin Stay is very popular. Many dates book out well in advance, please book soon.

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