These Four Island Paradises are Closer Than You Think

Exploring wild, volcanic landscapes, plunging into shimmering lagoons and unearthing the mysteries of ancient cultures may seem like a faraway fantasy. However, with destinations such as the Spice Islands, Easter Island and the archipelagos of Polynesia and Melanesia all just a short voyage from the Australian coastline – by an ultra-luxury small-ship discovery yacht – these paradisal destinations are closer than you think. 

Cruising in the South Pacific for the first time is Scenic Eclipse II, the ultra-luxury 6-star discovery yacht. The small-ship experience caters to just 228 guests, with a personal butler for each suite, plus up to 10 world-class dining experiences, and nine bars and lounges. There’s also a dedicated discovery team of up to 15 experts to guide you at each port of call with a range of onshore excursions to choose from, including exploring below the surface in a submersible*, or scenic helicopter* flights and zipping around via Zodiac. Plus, after a day of immersive discovery, unwind and indulge in the 550m2 Sense Spa with a dedicated yoga and Pilates studio on board.

Here are the best ways to experience the South Pacific on board the World’s First Discovery Yacht™.

Marvel at the ancestral sentinels of Easter Island 

Be awed by archaeological treasures on this 19-day all-inclusive voyage of the Pacific from Santiago to Tahiti. Famed for its 600 moai – carved volcanic stone monolithic figures, estimated to have been erected between 1400-1650 AD – that look out to sea, Easter Island has a fascinating and vast history. Visit ancient villages and caves or dive below the water to inspect a submerged moai statue. Afterwards, you’ll journey to the lost paradise of Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, where you can swim alongside fur seals, walk amid a forest of Chilean myrtle and cinnamon trees. The true treasure, however, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that can be found at roughly the midway point between Chile and New Zealand: Pitcairn Island. The population of this isle (about 50 people) are mostly direct descendants of the mutineers from the Bounty and you’ll find a lush subtropical ecosystem waiting to be explored.

Discover secluded bays and stargaze from the Yasawa Archipelago to New Zealand

Visit aquamarine bays and islands filled with tropical flora on this 11-day all-inclusive voyage from Fiji to Auckland, New Zealand, cruising through the Yasawa archipelago and New Caledonia along the way. Live out your castaway dreams as you chase waterfalls on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island before soaking in healing sulphur baths at the base of active volcano Mount Yasur and exploring the sunlit chamber of the Blue Cave. In the southernmost Caledonian Islands, soak up the pristine beauty of L’Ile-des-Pins (Isle of the Pines), where you can glide atop the natural aquarium of Oro Bay on a paddleboard guided by the Scenic Eclipse discovery team. On your final night, gaze at the stars from New Zealand’s official Dark Sky Sanctuary on Great Barrier Island. 

Unearth Polynesia’s dramatic volcanic beauty and pristine reefs

A 13-day all-inclusive voyage from the Tahitian city of Papeete to Nadi in Fiji unfurls like a string of jewels, revealing volcanic landscapes, clear lagoons and kaleidoscopic reefs. Kayak in the warm waters of Bora Bora, watched over by the silhouette of Mount Otemanu, meet local villagers and set your internal clock to island time. Peruse the handiwork of local artisans at Aitutaki Atoll in the Cook Islands, where colourful sarongs and black pearls are classic mementos of this fishing port. You’ll cross the International Date Line before slipping into port at the Vava’u archipelago, where vibrant marine life and underwater caves keep snorkellers and divers entertained and Mount Talau offers vistas out over the island. 

Trace the footsteps of bygone spice traders in this reef-fringed region

Depart Darwin for a return voyage through history on this Indonesian itinerary that spans 13 day all-inclusive voyage covering Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands. Influenced by the spice trade of the 16th and 17th centuries, the Banda Islands are full of delicious flavours and layered cultures. Learn about Dutch colonialism at Fort Belgica, take a guided tour of Banda Neira island and visit a nutmeg plantation. Made up of more than 1500 shoals, islands and cays, the Raja Ampat Islands in the West Papua province encompass a staggeringly diverse marine region, with over 1600 species of fish and 500 species of coral that call it home. Here, the Four Kings (the main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo) lay out their treasures of translucent waters, limestone cliffs and mangrove forests populated with a colourful parade of coral, fish and birdlife.