Local men perform a tribal dance with a large headdress & wooden drums, seen on a Frontier Lands of Papua New Guinea cruise.
Aerial view of a small white expedition ship cruising a Papua New Guinea cruise in deep blue water beside green islands.
Local men stand and play drums & guitars while singing among thatch buildings, seen on a Papua New Guinea cruise.
Frontier Lands of New Guinea cruise guests ride in a wooden carved canoe paddled by native locals in celebratory dress.
Travelers on New Guinea cruises sit in a small boat & point up into the green trees.
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Asia / Pacific Pacific Islands Cruise

Frontier Lands of New Guinea

Travel from Australia aboard the 120-guest Coral Adventurer or 72-guest Coral Discoverer to the remote sights and sounds of the rarely visited New Guinea. On these New Guinea cruises, experience some of the world’s most striking and intact cultural regions as they emerge into the 21st century and venture into the most remote corners of Papua New Guinea on a series of distinct departures with trip lengths to suit a range of travel needs.

The main, 13-day New Guinea cruise is an opportunity to immerse into the wild and rugged scenery of Papua New Guinea that is rarely seen and mostly inaccessible by land. Papua New Guinea is home to the largest area of intact rainforest outside of the Amazon. This voyage uncovers little-visited islands, volcanic mountains and pristine rainforest wilderness areas forged by mighty rivers. Sail past spectacular Kadovar Islands, known for its volcanic activity. Venture up the mighty Sepik River to see riverfront village life little changed in hundreds of years. Buy traditional crafts such as masks and carvings at the village market of Bien. Snorkel, swim or dive on vibrant reefs at the Fly Islands and visit the unique Bubbling Springs Reef at Dobu.

An alternative 13-day itinerary, Papua New Guinea Discoverer, follows a similar southbound route but offers almost entirely different visits. The feel is the same (cultural immersion, water-based activities, WWII history), however there are unique opportunities to support sustainability efforts.

An alternative 22-day itinerary—Through the Islands & Atolls of Micronesia—is not listed (inquire for details). Cruise westbound from Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, to Sorong, Indonesia, with visits to all four states of the Federated States of Micronesia: Yap, Cuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae.

Read on for details about this Papua New Guinea cruise, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Pacific Island cruises.



Itinerary

Papua New Guinea Discoverer Itinerary

The Papua New Guinea Discoverer itinerary cruises from Madang, Papua New Guinea, to Cairns, Australia. An optional pre-cruise charter flight can connect travelers from Cairns to the embarkation point. This itinerary uniquely travels offshore of the main island, with New Britain Island’s archaeological artifacts a highlight, and travels Papua New Guinea on the smaller 72-guest Coral Discoverer.

Route map of Papua New Guinea Discoverer cruise, operating between Cairns, Australia & Madang, Papua New Guinea, with visits along the eastern shoreline.
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Day 1
Fly Cairns, Australia to Madang, Papua New Guinea & Embark

Make your own way to the Cairns International Airport for check-in and charter briefing before joining the charter flight. After the charter flight, be transferred from Madang Airport to Madang Resort, where light finger food and refreshments will be provided. Board the ship at 4:00pm in this bustling Papua New Guinea port town, where your remote island adventure begins. Join your 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.

Optional, Included Charter flight: Cairns to Madang. This will be a direct flight from Cairns, with no stopover in Port Moresby, with a staff member to accompany guests. Limited seats available. Contact your Adventure Specialist for more information, or for cruise-only pricing.

Accommodations

Coral Discoverer

Meals

lunch, dinner

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Days 2 - 11
Exploration of Papua New Guinea

Throughout this expedition, the expedition team may make changes to the itinerary in order to maximize the experience. Visiting these remote communities is subject to approval of the local landowners. Below are the key destinations the ship aims to visit.

Umboi & Tuam Island
Discover volcanic Umboi’s cultural heritage, then explore Tuam Island’s rich trading history dating to the Holocene era and unique windbreak innovations.

Kumbun Island & Pulia River
Cross the Dampier Strait to visit Apalo Village on New Britain Island’s remote southwestern tip. Engage with local fishing life and the methods and customs that exist today. In the afternoon, cruise the jungle-flanked Pulia River by Xplorer.

Lababia Village & Biangatu Island
Experience colorful welcome rituals and traditional bilum weaving demonstrations at this seaside village on Papua’s mainland. Spend the afternoon exploring the biodiverse underwater worlds of Biangatu Island. Snorkeling and diving is available in Biangatu Island.

Sea Day
Enjoy onboard activities and presentations as you sail towards the remote islands of southeastern Papua New Guinea. Take time to process the cultural connections you’ve already made on this unique voyage.

Goodenough & Wagifa Island
Engage with vocational training and climate resilience projects in Bolu Bolu Village. Visit the community tourism school and enjoy water activities at nearby Wagifa Island, perfect for snorkeling and diving.

Sewa Bay & Boia Boia Waga Island
Choose between a moderate jungle walk to search for wildlife or visit Pwanapwana Village for a cultural experience. Later, relax on the white beaches of uninhabited Boia Boia Waga Island. Snorkeling and diving is available.

Deboyne Island & Surrounding Lagoons
The ship will be positioned for the best water activities based on conditions. The Deboyne Lagoon features diverse reefs and islands teeming with marine life, offering excellent opportunities for kayaking and snorkeling.

Exploration of the Calvados Chain
Discover pristine atolls in the Calvados chain. Your expedition team will source the best locations for snorkeling, diving, swimming and kayaking amongst these remote coral formations.

Tawali & Nuakata Island
This morning, rise early for a walk in search of endemic bird-of-paradise through uneven jungle pathways. Enjoy a traditional Mumu lunch before visiting Nuakata Island to learn about the Hale Vaka Initiative and traditional canoe building.

Samarai Island
Discover the island of Samarai, once a key maritime hub connecting Australia and East Asia. Stroll through its vibrant local markets and learn about its pivotal role in regional trade and navigation before continuing towards the Coral Sea.

Accommodations

Coral Discoverer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you sail towards Australia. Reflect on your Papua New Guinea discoveries and enjoy presentations about the remarkable places you’ve visited.

Accommodations

Coral Discoverer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 13
Disembark Cairns, Australia

Arrive in Cairns at 12:30pm for disembarkation at 1:30pm. Bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew. A post-cruise transfer to Cairns central business district hotels or the airport is included.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Charter flight from Cairns to Madang (AUD1,000 per person in 2026, included in cruise fare – contact AdventureSmith for cruise-only pricing); pre-cruise transfer (if taking Cairns to Madang charter flight); post-cruise transfer; all excursions and sightseeing (excluding optional extras); snorkeling & equipment (Scuba diving at additional cost); use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and kayaks; daily lectures and briefings; all meals, chef-prepared on board; selected wines, beers, spirits, juices and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner service; coffee and selection of teas; all entrance fees to national parks and ports; expedition diary, along with a photo and video gallery documenting the highlights of your voyage; standard WiFi on board; tips and gratuities.

Exclusions

Airfare, pre-cruise transfer (if making your own way to Madang), pre- and post-cruise accommodation, scuba diving (contact AdventureSmith for pricing & details), entry visas, travel permits, insurance of any kind, items of a personal nature including but not limited to phone communications, WiFi upgrades and bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. A name change/transfer of the booking to another person is considered a cancellation and cancellation penalties will apply. An AUD200.00 per person fee may be charged for any amendments not requiring a date change after booking is confirmed. There is an AUD500.00 per person fee if a date change is made more than 90 days before departure. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Papua New Guinea Discoverer cruise begins in Madang, Papua New Guinea (MAG), and ends in Cairns, Queensland Australia (CNS); an optional, added-cost charter flight may be pre-booked for those wishing to fly from Cairns to Madang for embarkation (see Inclusions). Plan flights to arrive to Madang ahead of the 4:00pm boarding and 5:00pm departure on Day 1. Plan flights to depart Cairns anytime after the 1:30pm disembarkation on the final day. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights  resource page.

Internal Flights

An optional, added-cost, pre-cruise charter flight from Cairns to Madang (AUD1,000 per person in 2026, included in cruise rate) is available and must be pre-booked through your Adventure Specialist, who can provide additional details such as luggage weight limits.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving (contact AdventureSmith for pricing & details), small boat excursions, kayaking, wildlife observation and cultural tours. Please remember, if you are a certified diver, to bring your certification card and logbook. Additional pre-cruise dive requirements include completing a questionnaire, a medical assessment and resulting doctor’s statement (your Adventure Specialist can provide full details).

Room Configuration

Limited double occupancy cabins for solo use may be available at a sole use rate in the Coral, Promenade and Explorer Deck categories. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children 0-3 years of age at time of the cruise are free of charge. Two adults and one child traveling together can be accommodated in two staterooms only aboard Coral Discoverer (there are no pullman bunks). On all ships, two adults and two children traveling together may request two rooms next door to each other.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

As a condition of travel, guests must provide evidence of travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage OR complete a credit card authorization form for expenses incurred during a medical evacuation. Proof of travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage OR a completed authorization form must be provided prior to boarding.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Listed prices for this trip are based on foreign currency exchange rates and may vary. USD pricing will be calculated at the time of final payment based on the market conversion rate plus a 1% banking conversion fee of total invoiced amount. Please contact AdventureSmith for current pricing.

Oct 13 - Oct 25, 2026
Coral Discoverer • 13 days
small ship alternate itinerary icon with a grey background brown diver icon depicting diving activity
From $9110USD
Per Person
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Accommodations

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Coral Discoverer

The Coral Discoverer maneuvers into special bays and inlets that are inaccessible to larger ships. Her bright outdoor spaces, authentic Australian hospitality and expedition-ready tools offer an elevated experience.

Expedition Ship
Coral Adventurer

The Coral Adventurer Australian expedition ship offers a wine cellar, open galley, private balconies and efficient ship-to-shore operations.

Expert Reviews

Reviews From Our Experts so You Know What to Expect

Andrew Browning • April 16th, 2015
Expert Review: Islands of the South Pacific

Adventure Specialist Andrew Browning reviews his 14-day Islands of the South Pacific cruise aboard the 72-guest Coral Discoverer.

Leslie Camacho • December 28th, 2019
Expert Aboard: Coral Adventurer Ship Review

An AdventureSmith cruise expert goes aboard in Australia to write this ship review of the 120-guest Coral Adventurer. Read about her favorite features and cabin insights.

Our experts will save you hours.

A single conversation with us is worth hours of internet scrolling. Find your next best trip with ease, then book with the confidence of our 20+ year experience.

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