Cruise Description

In partnership with Le Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and with featured guest Emmanuel Kasarhérou, Chairman of the Établissement Public du Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac.

Embark with PONANT on a 17-day expedition cruise to the heart of remote islands in the Pacific. Aboard Le Soléal, you will follow an itinerary that will take you from New Caledonia to Guam to explore rich local cultures and exceptional underwater life.

From Noumea, Le Soléal will first take you to the sublime island of Lifou with its picture-postcard landscapes of white-sand beaches and tropical vegetation, located in the Loyalty archipelago.

Your cruise will continue to Vanuatu, often called the ‘happiest country in the world’, where its 83 islands showcase a palette of extremely varied landscapes. Espiritu Santo, the archipelago’s main island, promises you an unforgettable aquatic experience in an idyllic setting.

You will then set sail for the Solomon Islands where you will have the opportunity to witness traditional culture as well as enjoy stunning white-sand beaches with swimming and snorkelling.

After a port of call in Papua New Guinea, the mysteries of Micronesia will reveal themselves to you. A scattering of islands and atolls, lost in the heart of the northern Pacific, this area is rich in Second World War history. The shores of Chuuk Lagoon and Pulap Island still retain traces of a tragic past and a declared Underwater Military Museum is the resting place of wrecks from Japan’s military air and sea fleets.

Micronesia consists of a sprinkling of islands and atolls that benefit from an exceptional environment. The atolls of Ifalik and Gaferut offer incredibly rich underwater scenery that promises unforgettable dives while, on land, Lamotrek Island has white sandy beaches and coconut trees, and villages that exude deep-rooted traditions.

Your cruise will end in Guam, the biggest volcanic island of the Mariana Islands.