16 October

Indonesia: Sorong

17 October

: Ayu Atoll

18 October

French Southern Territories: Amsterdam Island

Amsterdam Island is one of the most remote islands on earth, situated in the southern Indian Ocean roughly equidistant from Africa, Australia and Antarctica. The island is home to the exceedingly rare Amsterdam albatross, along with Indian yellow-nosed and sooty albatross, soft-plumaged and grey petrels, Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals.

19 October

Indonesia: Manokwari (Irian Jaya)

20 October to 21 October

Indonesia: Cenderawasih Bay

The broad sweep of Cenderawasih Bay, off the northern coast of Papua, is known for its spectacularly biodiverse coral reefs. These waters are home to dolphins, dugongs and four different species of turtle, but the star attraction is the resident population of whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea.

22 October - At sea

23 October

Indonesia: Jayapura

Jayapura, also known as Port Numbay, is the capital of Indonesia’s Papua province. This busy city is well off the tourist trail, and provides an introduction to the fascinating customs of the region. Nearby sights include beautiful Lake Sentani, where you can take a trip on a local longboat out to one of the islands.

23 October

Papua New Guinea: Vanimo

24 October

Papua New Guinea: Wewak

25 October to 26 October - At sea

27 October

Papua New Guinea: Lae

28 October

Papua New Guinea: Crown Island

29 October

Papua New Guinea: Madang

Madang, first settled by Germans during the 19th century, was once known as the ‘prettiest town in the Pacific’, and retains its charm despite significant damage during the Second World War. There is some great snorkelling and diving just offshore, while the city’s towering casuarina trees support a noisy population of flying foxes.

30 October - At sea

31 October

Papua New Guinea: Kimbe

1 November

Papua New Guinea: Garove Island

Garove is a flooded volcanic caldera, with most of the inhabitants living on the outside of the volcano, and just one village inside the steep-sided caldera itself. Visiting ships are met by curious locals in outrigger canoes, and you may be welcomed ashore with a traditional ‘sing-sing’.

2 November

Papua New Guinea: Tami Islands

This small archipelago consists of four atolls around a central lagoon, where the vibrant coral reefs attract plenty of divers and snorkellers. The islanders lead a simple village life and are renowned for their intricately carved ‘Tami bowls’, traditionally used for dowry payments.

3 November

Papua New Guinea: Tufi

The laid back town of Tufi enjoys a beautiful setting, on a fjord-like inlet that was shaped by volcanic activity rather than ice. The coral-rich waters off the coast make this a diver’s paradise, and there are also many traditional villages in the area where the locals dress in clothes made of tapa, a cloth produced from the bark of the mulberry tree.

4 November

Papua New Guinea: Alotau

Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay province, on the remote eastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea. Milne Bay was the scene of heavy fighting during the Second World War, and today you can dive amongst the wreckage left behind. Alotau also serves as a base for visiting the nearby islands, including the fascinating Trobriand archipelago.

5 November

Papua New Guinea: Doini Island

6 November - At sea

7 November

Arriving in Cairns

Cairns is a buzzing tourist hub, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. A snorkelling trip out to the reef is the most obvious excursion to take here, but other options include riding the Skyrail cableway over the rainforest canopy or swimming in the croc-free saltwater lagoon.