Micronesia Cruise

Join Apex Expeditions on the ultimate 18-day expedition cruise navigating the islands and atolls of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands. As breathtaking above the water as below, these islands feature stunning beaches, vibrant lagoons, dramatic outer reef walls, coral gardens, and WWII wrecks teeming with marine life. These tiny islands are also steeped in history. Discover Pacific navigation and traditional island cultures still practicing time-honored traditions. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts can search for rare and endangered species such as the Ontong Java White-eye, Pohnpei Lorikeet, Chuuk Monarch, Teardrop White-eye, and the endemic Ontong Java Flying Fox. You’ll sail aboard the Heritage Adventurer, expertly engineered to allow access to rugged coasts well beyond the reach of ordinary vessels. This is the best Micronesia cruise itinerary to reach the most isolated tropical islands and atolls, rarely open to travelers and accessible only by expedition vessel.

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Day 10
• Day 11
• Day 12
• Day 13
• Day 14
• Day 15
• Day 16
• Day 17
• Day 18

• Saturday, March 27: Arrive Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji / Denarau Island

  Fly to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel on Denarau Island, nestled among swaying palm trees where sky-blue waters lap golden sands. This evening, meet your fellow travelers and expedition team for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

• Sunday, March 28: Nadi / Honiara, Solomon Islands / Embark Heritage Adventurer

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your flight to Honiara, the Solomon Islands’ colorful capital on the island of Guadalcanal. This gateway to tropical island paradises is home to a modern waterfront and iconic World War II history. This afternoon, board Heritage Adventurer, your home away from home for the next 16 nights

• Monday, March 29: Arnavon Islands

  Arrive this morning at a collection of four tiny tropical outposts known as the Arnavon Islands—home to the largest rookery of critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles in the South Pacific. Some 1,200 nests are laid here each year. These remote sandy shores are rich in both marine biodiversity and terrestrial fauna with 41 species of birds, 6 species of bats, and at least 7 species of reptiles. Offshore, 65 square miles of the islands’ turquoise waters are protected by the Arnavon Community Marine Park and administered by a unique local collective known as the Arnavon Community Marine Park Management Committee. Expect a day of adventure, discovery, and sublime snorkeling as you explore these tropical treasure troves, including Kerehikapa Island.

• Tuesday, March 30: Ontong Java Atoll

  Today is a true expedition day! Visit Ontong Java, one of the Pacific Ocean’s most remote destinations. It is also one of the largest atolls in the world and home to the endemic Ontong Java Flying Fox and Ontong Java White-eye. Surrounded by more

  than 100 islets, 23 waterways connect its magnificent lagoon to the surrounding sea. Below the water lies the Ontong Java Plateau, the world’s largest seafloor platform, thought to be created by the largest volcanic eruption in the planet’s history some 125 million years ago. The surrounding waters are central to survival for the 2,000 people living between two villages. They rely heavily on small-scale fishing and traditional free-diving to harvest resources such as beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) and trochus (sea snails), which have long been valuable marine commodities. Explore the calm lagoons, vibrant shallows, and traditional culture which defines daily life for the atoll’s inhabitants.

• Wednesday, March 31: At Sea

  Attend lectures by your onboard experts and be sure to join your naturalists on deck, as you cross the Equator and sail towards the Federated States of Micronesia and Kapingamarangi Atoll.

• Thursday, April 1: Kapingamarangi Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia

  Today, discover why the local name for Kapingamarangi translates to ‘gift from heaven’ as we explore the Federated States of Micronesia’s rarely visited southernmost atoll. Thirty-three wooded islets, reefs, and islands enclose a 3-mile-wide mid-ocean lagoon—all of which resemble a teardrop from space. Just four of the islands are inhabited by approximately 500 locals. They share generations of knowledge, including famed, intricate wood-carving skills, and speak their own dialect, known as Pukapukan. Expect a joyous welcome and exceptional snorkeling where WWII Japanese wrecks await discovery.

• Friday, April 2: Nukuoro Atoll

  Another day, another rarely visited Micronesian gem. Nukuoro Atoll is a classically shaped atoll which reveals a sandy ring at low tide. Intermittent ship access has ensured the approximately 370 locals living on just 0.65 square miles of land live a traditional, subsistence lifestyle while running a small black pearl farm. Known for its Nukuoro wooden figurines, the atoll has a rich history influenced by both Polynesian and Micronesian cultures. Archaeological finds reveal Nukuoro has been inhabited since at least the 8th century and traditional practices and art forms, including sculpture and tattooing, are still carried out today. The atoll’s famed navigators still use stars and wave patterns to find their way across the ocean. Snorkelers can expect to be immersed in thriving marine life, lush corals, and a sense of ocean wilderness. Explore thriving reef communities, follow schooling Surgeonfish grazing on reef flats, or stop to watch the vibrant Damselfish surging among colorful coral bommies.

• Saturday, April 3: Ant Atoll

  Arrive after breakfast at Ant Atoll. This privately-owned piece of island paradise, featuring a stunning lagoon, extensive coral gardens, astounding marine biodiversity, and powdery, white sand beaches, is ours to explore for the day. Part of the Senyavin Islands, Ant Atoll is steeped in traditional legends and is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and conservation success story. Ant Atoll is home to 13 species of reptiles, including the Hawksbill and Green Turtle, 25 bird, and 7 mammal species, while hundreds of marine species can all be found below the water. Biosphere rangers stationed on the island work to safeguard this vibrant marine environment. Snorkelers can expect to encounter a unique variety of species, including a healthy population of Grey Reef Sharks, barracudas, jacks, Napoleon Wrasse, and many more. Conditions permitting, we may also venture beyond the lagoon to experience the extraordinary visibility of the waters along the outer reef walls.

• Sunday, April 4: Pohnpei

  Just east of Ant Atoll lies Pohnpei, a large volcanic island which is Micronesia’s largest and tallest. Lush tropical jungles, mist-covered mountains, crashing waterfalls, mangrove swamps, and some of the most exotic flora in the Pacific are yours to explore. Home to more than 750 species of plants, 250 of them endemic, there are also 50 species of birds, 5 of which are endemic, including the beautiful Pohnpei Lorikeet. More than 70 species of lizard can been seen along with wild pig, deer, and the megabat—Pohnpei Flying Fox. Also known as the ‘land of mystery’ and ‘garden island of Micronesia’, Pohnpei is considered Micronesia’s Angkor Wat. Discover megaliths, and Nan Madol, an ancient city of palaces, temples, and burial grounds built between the 13th and 17th centuries by the sea-worshipping Saudeleur Dynasty. Spanning 92 artificially-made islets, and divided by Venetian-style waterways, it fell into disrepair after the dynasty was overthrown in 1628. Pohnpei also offers diverse reef geomorphology and is a center of abundance for numerous reef-building coral.

• Monday, April 5: Oroluk Atoll

  Your morning is dedicated to exploring Oroluk Atoll which doubles as both a huge atoll and a small island. Oroluk’s unique and remote positioning sees this tropical outpost multitasking as a biodiversity hotspot. This hidden gem has a ‘natural bridge’ allowing marine and terrestrial life to move between the Indo-Malay and central Pacific regions. Discover the rich culture and customs kept alive by the tiny population. Explore the marine sanctuary which includes an extensive lagoon with barrier and fringing reefs, reef passages, and seagrass beds. This snorkeling paradise is home to Green Turtle, butterflyfish, Leopard Coral Grouper, and batfish. On land, look for Atoll Starlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Black Noddies, white terns, and White-tailed Tropicbirds.

• Tuesday, April 6: Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

  Be sure to be out on deck, or in the Observation Lounge, as you enter the protected (and historic) waters of the Chuuk Lagoon this morning. This spectacular and enormous coral-fringed lagoon encompasses 822 square miles and is sheltered by 15 towering volcanic islands. Here, explore lush rainforests home to Chuuk Monarch, Yellow Bittern, Blue-faced Parrotfinch, and Teardrop White-eye, as well as waterfalls, deserted beaches, tiny villages, and a gruesome past. In 1944, American bombers sank 60 Japanese Imperial Navy vessels and hundreds of aircraft, with more than 4,000 Japanese soldiers joining the world’s biggest shipwreck graveyard. Slipping beneath the water reveals a ghost fleet of wrecks dotting the lagoon’s floor. Now, transformed into world-renowned reefs teeming with marine life, expect a snorkeling experience rich in both natural beauty and tangible history. Explore idyllic white sand beaches, search for endemic bird species, and snorkel this underwater time capsule.

• Wednesday, April 7: Poluwat Atoll

  This stunning coral atoll comprises four islands that epitomize isolated paradise. Our destination this afternoon is the little-known lagoon of Lugav. One of the westernmost outliers of Chuuk state, Lugav is laced with WWII history and is a snapshot into the past with traditional customs and lifestyles honored through generations. Here, you will have time to explore the stunning lagoon and surrounding forests, the abandoned Japanese Lighthouse built in 1940, and enjoy a traditional slice of island life as it used to be.

• Thursday, April 8: Satawal Atoll

  A mere speck in the world’s largest ocean, Satawal is an unspoiled paradise and the easternmost island in Yap State. Known for its stunning coral reefs and gin-clear waters, exceptional snorkeling is a given, while lush forests and powdery shores invite exploration. Satawal’s remoteness has ensured its protection and retention of ancient customs and skills, including its famed master navigators, who travelled between islands on hand-hewn canoes. Their legacy and prowess are captured in Steve Thomas’ recently-updated 1987 book The Last Navigator. Visitors here are rare, so expect a warm welcome from the local community as you discover centuries-old navigational techniques where skill, observation, and nature guide every voyage.

• Friday, April 9: Elato & Olimarao Atoll

  Today we plan on visiting three atolls, the double atoll of Elato in the morning, and uninhabited Olimarao in the afternoon. The waters surrounding Elato are considered among some of the deepest on the planet, and its seldom explored coral reefs are filled with colorful coral teeming with life in the nutrient rich waters. Explore a true coral highlight where plate and mound corals cascade down the reef slope forming dense cover, while schools of parrotfish, wrasse, fusiliers, snapper, and more bring the reef to life. On land, around 100 close-knit locals practice traditional subsistence living where ancient customs and navigation techniques guide day-to-day life. Neighboring Olimarao, within the Olimarao Conservation Area, is an important protected breeding site for sea turtles, Coconut Crabs, and seabirds. Options today include searching the lush interior for wildlife, exploring coconut palm-fringed shores, or snorkeling pristine reefs.

• Saturday, April 10: Woleai Atoll

  Woleai is a coral atoll comprising 22 islands somewhat resembling the figure eight. Heavily bombed in WWII, nature has restored this forgotten paradise to its former splendor. WWII history can still be found in the form of wrecked planes hidden in the island’s jungles. Meanwhile, a flying boat, with a 125-foot wingspan, is submerged below the lagoon’s surface. More recently, foreign investment has seen work commence to reconstruct Woleai’s 80-year-old Japanese-built aircraft runway. However, natural beauty is the order of the day with explorations of lush jungles, expansive coral gardens, and pristine beaches, along with warm and inviting cultural exchanges.

• Sunday, April 11: Sorol Atoll

  A string of nine islets scattered across the Pacific Ocean, Sorol Atoll is an unspoiled paradise, and yours to explore this afternoon. Uninhabited since the early 1980s, and with few visitors due to its ultra-secluded location (its nearest neighbor is more than 120 nautical miles away), Sorol’s anonymity has preserved its paradisical credentials. Explore the atoll’s remote inner lagoon and surrounding pristine reefs, with abundant reef fish and healthy coral cover. On land, its white sand beaches are important sea turtle breeding grounds, while beyond the nodding coconut palms, verdant jungles are home to geckos, skinks, monitor lizards, and seabirds. An afternoon of uncharted adventure awaits.

• Monday, April 12: Ngulu Atoll

  This morning, explore Micronesia’s westernmost frontier and least-known and explored atoll—Ngulu. Discover a rich history of Pacific exploration and a treasure trove of adventure opportunities— archaeological relics dating back to 800AD indicate Ngulu was part of Micronesia’s trade routes. Marvel at supersized Rai Stones, carved from limestone on Palau and transported via canoe and outrigger. Once used for money, they are now abandoned village garden features. Explore tangled jungles and an expansive 18-part reef and look for the Japanese WWII torpedo bomber wreck.

• Tuesday, April 13: Palau

  Be sure to be out on deck early this morning for your arrival to Palau, a stunning Pacific Island nation made up of more than 300 islands. Palau is famous for its stunning underwater worlds, lush jungles, white sand beaches, and friendly locals. This morning, disembark the ship and transfer to Palau International Airport for flights homeward.