10 Night Cruise sailing from Port Vila to Noumea aboard Pacific Passage.

We will show you these amazing islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu on this comprehensive 12-night cruise. You will visit villages that rarely see cruise ships or western civilization and explore the most beautiful beaches and seascapes in the Pacific.

Day 1 - Port Vila
You are greeted with a welcome drink and given beach towels. You have the day to relax and use the ships’ facilities before the safety briefing and departure at 5pm. Chef will charm you with his welcome dinner as we cruise across the bay to our anchorage.

Day 2 - Havannah Harbour
The landing craft makes trips to the amazing coral gardens off Pele Island. During the day the tenders run a shuttle between the ship and the shore so you can explore this remote village and get to know the friendly Chief and the people at your leisure. This area is known as one of the best snorkelling spots in Vanuatu. The tenders are perfect for exploring such a large area and underwater highlights will include spectacular drop-offs and stunning coral gardens. Jungle walks will reveal the island's birdlife - and the afternoon snorkellers are likely to encounter turtles. Fishing is available, or perhaps swim or walk ashore, or just relax with a book on the top deck and enjoy the vista. Tonight the crew present you with the Captain's welcome cocktail party before sailing to the Maskelyne Islands.

Day 3 - Champagne Beach
This morning we snorkel over a coral reef only metres from the ship. It’s an unforgettable experience - we take you up current in the tenders so that you can drift over gardens of coral that are inhabited by a myriad of tropical fish. Then you’ll venture up the Riri River in a dugout canoe to discover the miraculous blue holes – deep, clear freshwater springs that bubble up into the river. You’ve never seen the colour blue quite like this. A refreshing blue holes swim is almost compulsory. Then landing on the world-famous Champagne Beach; said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It promises the bluest water, whitest sand and greenest jungle and it’s just breath-taking. You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, kayak and chat with the local pareu sellers.

Day 4 - At Sea
Enjoy the scenes and scents of the ocean. There is a host of activities to keep us amused. Onboard is a wide selection of board and card games, 1,000 movies plus a thorough library. The 1st officer arranges navigation lessons and there is a special surprise for the guest who is first to sight Ouvea Island.

Day 5 - Ouvea Island
Wake to the superb white-sand beach that stretches over 25 kilometers, Ouvéa is one of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific. Its shores are delicately washed by pristine waters that display an array of blueish hues. The lagoon’s pristine waters mirror the beauty and majesty of Lékiny Cliffs. They also shelter abundant wildlife providing Ouvéa’s population with a precious food reserve. We anchor in the sheltered lagoon and enjoy all the pleasures that nature has provided. We stay here overnight.

Day 6 - Lifou Island
Lifou has long stretches of white sand beach, small coves, limestone caves, grottos and imposing cliffs giving the island one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Pacific. Melanesian seafarers were the first to discover and settle the Loyalty Islands. Dinner on deck in Santal Bay before we sail for Mare anchorage.

Day 7 - Mare Island
Our arrival is planned to coincide with the sunrise. Tadine Bay serves the town where we go ashore to experience the local way of life on this small island. Then it is away to explore the beaches and swimming before we sail after dinner onto Oro Bay.

Day 8 - Isle of Pines
We venture to the eastern side of the island to the beautiful Oro Bay. It is seldom visited so be prepared to tramp through a riverbed and swim in the most beautiful natural swimming pool. The white sand and turquoise waters is great for the soul. In the late afternoon we move to our Kuto anchorage for the evening.

Day 9 - Isle of Pines
The area around Kuto may very well prove to be one of the cruise highlights. This group of islands is located on the north east side of the lagoon where a wide variety of water activities have been planned. These islands are typical of the South Seas by having white sandy beaches fringed with tropical rainforest. Snorkelling, swimming, long beach walks and visits to the nearby villages make this a memorable and relaxing day in our paradise.

Day 10 - Ilot Mato
This morning we leave Kuto and head towards Ilot Mato. This small chain of reefs provides a beautifully protected anchorage. There is a small trail leading to the top of the 40 metre high island that gives a view of the anchorage and the matrix of coral reefs. Island walks will reveal the island’s birdlife while the afternoon snorkelers are likely to encounter the local sea turtles.

Final Day - Farewell/Au Revoir
This morning enjoy an early sumptuous breakfast. We arrive alongside the wharf at 9.30am with disembarking completed by 10.00am. Noumea has an open-air market located next to the waterfront presenting the perfect opportunity to purchase local art and craft. Please make sure you swap addresses with your fellow adventures and bid your goodbyes to the crew.

To celebrate our 12th anniversary, we have our new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE being delivered in early 2020. Measuring 44 metres in length, she has been meticulously designed for just 18 passengers to cruise New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands in superb comfort. She is purpose designed for coastal cruising and island hopping to explore where the larger ships simply cannot access.

She represents a beautiful eco-friendly ship designed to over-deliver experiences whilst providing the highest standards of safety, comfort and enjoyment for guests while they are exploring our part of the Pacific.

PACIFIC PASSAGE is an ocean-going ship designed and classified for travel to the corners of the world in safety and comfort. Onboard we silently convert salt water to make 8 tons of pure fresh water each day, endlessly recycle waste water to a level above 99% purity before harmlessly discharging this overboard away from the coast, discretely recharge numerous working batteries from an array of solar panels above the bridge, neatly compact our rubbish to minute proportions and generally do as much as we possibly can to leave a minimal footprint of our activity.

Spacious and indulgent, yet intimate enough to feel totally exclusive, PACIFIC PASSAGE is beautifully designed and decorated in a classical modern theme. The spacious lounge, dining room and aft deck define our ship. Bi-fold doors allow the opportunity to expand and integrate the dining and saloon area into the open wide aft-deck to create an alfresco entertaining area of an enormous almost 190 square metres for your relaxation onboard.

Those wishing to keep up with the world beyond our intimate destinations will appreciate wireless internet, i-pod docking stations and satellite telephones on the bridge for regional and international calls.

Two 7-metre aluminium landing craft are each equipped for 10 guests. Snorkel and fishing equipment, twin and single kayaks and standup paddle boards are carried onboard. Our mainly New Zealand officers and crew are professionally trained to ensure your safety and comfort. Our housekeeping team aim to present the ship as if you are the first guests ever to step on board. We trust you will enjoy the experience and relaxed days onboard PACIFIC PASSAGE.

From the six delicious Pacific Suites with lovely verandas to the abundance of amenities in our three spacious Horizon Suites, there’s no finer way to cruise. Whichever you do choose, you’ll find it beautifully designed in an Island Escape understated elegance for your comfort and enjoyment.

NB: Island Passage has been sold and a new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE will be delivered in early 2020. New cruise bookings will open from 4th April 2019.

Island Escape Cruises is a luxurious small ship cruise experience. In New Zealand we own 20-year permits from the Government to explore the entire World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Virtually isolated with access by sea and helicopter, this region is beyond sensational and often described as the ultimate nature lovers paradise. We also cruise the beautiful Bay of Islands Marine Park region over Christmas and New Year during the NZ summer season. Hot and sunny days of pure relaxation.

For six months each year, during the New Zealand winter, we move to the Pacific Islands where we call Tahiti our home. There is sensational small ship cruising within a tropical paradise with her French influence. First class activities and amenities, Tahiti and the South Pacific are favourite small ship cruise destinations and loved by our guests for their relaxed tropical atmosphere.

Our original ship, Island Passage, has been sold after a dozen years of wonderful service. And to celebrate our 12th anniversary, we have our new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE being delivered in early 2020. Measuring 44 metres in length, she has been meticulously designed for just 18 passengers to cruise New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands in superb comfort. She is purpose designed for coastal cruising and island hopping to explore where the larger ships simply cannot access.