Port Vila to Munda aboard M/Y Pi · 6 – 28 September 2026. Twenty-three days through the volcanic spine of Melanesia — from Mt Yasur's live crater to the Rom Dance of Ambrym, the Polynesian outlier of Tikopia, and the largest double-barrier lagoon in the world.
Nestled in the heart of Melanesia, Vanuatu consists of a string of 88 islands strewn across the western Pacific Ocean. Lying between Fiji and the Solomon Islands this island nation is regarded by many as a lost paradise, where every stranger is assured of a warm and genuine greeting.
Although well off the traditional cruising routes, Vanuatu is best visited by private yacht with the space between most islands easily traversed during an overnight cruise. This ensures that enthralled guests are able to start a new adventure every day, as Vanuatu rolls out its charms one island at a time.
This first expedition of the Melanesia Traverse begins in Port Vila and threads north through Vanuatu's volcanic chain before crossing into the Solomons by way of Tikopia — a Polynesian outlier that Rob McCallum calls "the most amazing island in the south Pacific."
The voyage begins in Port Vila, the safest and easiest of Melanesian cities — every vantage point gives a spectacular view into the turquoise waters of its sheltered harbor. South to Tanna for sunset on the rim of Mt Yasur, an ever-active volcano in varying states of eruption; Captain Cook was lured ashore in 1774 by the same eerie red glow. North to Ambrym — known as the home of Vanuatu's sorcery — for the sacred Rom Dance, slit gong drums, and twin active volcanoes at the island's centre.
Espiritu Santo is the largest and perhaps the most beautiful of Vanuatu's islands. Pi positions at Aore Island while guests dive the SS President Coolidge — a converted ocean-liner cum troop ship now lying on her side between 20 and 70 metres — and explore the limestone Blue Holes. Onward to Champagne Beach, then north to the remote Torres Islands — diving, fishing and watersports from sheltered anchorages — and the crescent-shaped island of Loh in the Torres Group — 210 inhabitants, two villages, and a cyclone cave where islanders shelter from storms.
A visit to Tikopia offers the rare chance to experience a remote tropical paradise where traditional customs remain intact. While located geographically in Melanesia, Tikopia's descendants are Wallis Island and Tongan settlers — so the island is considered a Polynesian outlier. Schoolchildren clad in tapa cloth welcome you with harmonised songs; homage is paid to the four chiefs who preside from their pandanus-leaf huts. Walk the island in two hours, stopping to visit the crater lake at the centre of its extinct volcano. From Tikopia, north to Lata for clearance into the Solomon Islands.
The Solomons leg opens at Santa Ana with mud men dance, spirit houses, and an artifact market. Onward through Tavinipupu and Buena Vista to Tulagi, then to Honiara for an early-morning tour of the Guadalcanal Memorial, scheduled 06:00 – 10:00 to beat the heat and the traffic. West through the Russell Islands to Marovo — the largest double-barrier lagoon in the world, with arguably the best artisanal work in the Pacific. A beach BBQ at Njari precedes the final stop at Munda, where Skull Island, the town visit, and e-bikes mark the close of Expedition One.
~1,690 nautical miles north and west across two nations. The route traces Vanuatu's volcanic spine from Port Vila to the Torres Group, swings east 165 nm to the Polynesian outlier of Tikopia, then crosses into the Solomons at Lata before working its way west along Guadalcanal and through Marovo Lagoon to Munda. Click any stop on the map to dive in.
"Vanuatu is regarded by many as a lost paradise, where every stranger is assured of a warm and genuine greeting."
Vanuatu · 88 Islands of the Western PacificEmbark in Port Vila, capital of Efate. Pi has repositioned from French Polynesia and lies at anchor; guests board, settle in and complete the safety brief — the calm before the volcanic spine ahead.
A top-ten life experience. There is no good anchorage off Tanna, so Pi liveboats on dynamic positioning while guests are ashore. A 45-minute 4WD crosses the volcanic plains at dusk to the rim of Mt Yasur — stand at the edge, look into the centre of the earth and watch the lava explode. Return aboard and transit overnight to Ambrym.
At sea — overnight transit from Tanna to Ambrym. A relaxed day aboard.
The volcanic theme continues, but today is about culture, not the craters. After a short tender ashore, choose a 3-minute 4WD up to the dance ground or — Ange's pick — a 20-minute walk uphill through the village, meeting locals along the way. The masked Rom Dance runs 30–45 minutes; afterwards walk back down through the village to the boats. Diving nearby for those who want it.
All about the Blue Holes and the SS President Coolidge. The Coolidge is an advanced wreck dive and requires a local dive operator aboard — non-negotiable. The Blue Holes are spectacular freshwater swimming, crystal-clear, 'something out of an Avatar film.' Doing both in a day takes logistics.
A famous crescent of white sand. We take over the beach for the day with a full setup — sleepy and idyllic, cows from the neighbouring paddock often wander onto the sand. For a change of scenery, Port Olry is very close, another beautiful white-sand beach. A pure beach day.
The route turns remote — watersports and fishing country. Torres and Loh are very seldom visited. Diving, fishing, kite- and wind-surfing and kayaking from sheltered anchorages. A two-day stay: the second day brings a slower pace, weather flexibility, more watersports and time ashore with a remote community.
Last stop in Vanuatu. Outward clearance is arranged from Loh Island — agents come to the vessel. A crescent island of isolated white-sand beaches, with a warrior welcome and a cyclone cave to explore.
Incredible and rarely visited. We hold special permission to stop on the way in, before clearing into the Solomons — technically inside Solomon waters but not yet cleared. A Polynesian outlier with four chiefs, a crater lake and profuse birdlife. No regular government service; during COVID the island was effectively cut off. Rob McCallum: "MUST DO. The most amazing island in the south Pacific. A Polynesian outlier. Rob and Anges all time favourite."
Inward clearance into the Solomon Islands — usually about an hour; the clearance team may be flown in by charter. A twin-otter fly-out option is available here if guests need it. After formalities, reposition to a sheltered spot for exploratory snorkel and dive — largely a watersports day, with an optional shore trip by the island's only truck.
One of the most stunning anchorages on the route — a happy little spot. Option of a 1.5-hour early-morning walk to the far side of the island (we'll try to arrange the island's two vehicles to shuttle) where a spirit house stands. On return, the cultural highlight: the mud men dance off against each other. Great kayaking and wonderful interaction with locals — the kids here are remarkable.
A private island in Marau Sound. Option to take it over for the day with a private BBQ and beach setup. There's a little jetty — run down post-COVID but still beautiful, with the bones there to use. Swim and snorkel by tender.
Secluded islands. The World Discoverer — a world-famous shipwreck — lies in Roderick Bay nearby, and guests like to see it. Snorkel and dive the sheltered reefs.
Diving among WWII history. A great 90-minute walking tour: dropped at the jetty, walk to the top of the hill above Tulagi, looking across Iron Bottom Sound to Honiara — and the place the Americans first landed in the WWII campaign.
Guadalcanal and a jet-capable airport make this a good logistics / changeover day — the vessel provisions, restocks and takes fuel as needed. Ashore, guests can run to the Parngiju waterfall (a 3–4 hr round trip: early start, ~1 hr drive, hike to the falls, lunch up top), stopping at the war memorial on the way back. Deep US/WWII history here.
Very sheltered. The famous Leru Cut — a dive and snorkel through narrow caves — plus more WWII history and beautiful scenery.
The largest double-barrier lagoon in the world. Great diving — and phenomenal artwork: the wood carvers here are, in Ange's view, the best in the Pacific. Be prepared to spend, and bring local currency (SBD), not US dollars.
A flex day built into the route — a sheltered anchorage and a strong vessel position. Spend it exploring deeper into the Marovo system by skiff, or fold it into a second day at Njari. Decided on the water, to suit the conditions and the guests.
Njari is a privately owned, uninhabited island — superb for a beach setup and a better vessel position giving access to Gizo's dives. Two standouts: the Toa Maru shipwreck (brilliant, and worth a short snorkel too) and Grand Central Station, right off the beach at Njari. A park ranger is based here. From a short tender ashore we can run to Saeraghi Village and drive the coast road to Gizo Town — or use e-bikes if we can get them. Easily run as a two-day stay if the diving and beach warrant it.
We circle back toward Munda's jet-capable airport. Excellent sheltered anchorage at Noro; a wonderful tender ride through the Noro Passage, then a cruise toward Skull Island and the scatter of atolls around Munda. More time around the Roviana Lagoon — diving, the atolls and final shore visits — before guests and principals disembark at Munda's jet-capable airport on Monday 28 September. End of Expedition One.
Exploring the most remote corners of the Pacific carries a responsibility to the communities that host us. On this voyage, community donations and supplies are carried aboard and delivered to the islands we visit — Tikopia among them, where there is no regular government service.
"Exploring the world's most remote corners comes with a responsibility. We have a duty to give back to the environments and communities that welcome us."
Rob McCallum · EYOS FounderEYOS has coordinated lasting initiatives across the region — including the installation of three 11,500-litre rainwater tanks for the communities of Iwa Island and Panapompom, delivered with Think Water Cairns and Bushmans Tanks.
"Water security, medical aid, and education for girls are fundamental for stability in these areas. For the low-lying islands of PNG and the Solomon Islands, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change, immediate support can make all the difference."
Angela Pennefather · EYOS Melanesian SpecialistGuests who wish to contribute are warmly welcome to speak with the expedition team.
Practical support travels with the vessel and is delivered to the communities that host us — clean-water filters for island households and kits for local women and schoolgirls.
Clean-water filters handed to island households.
Demonstrating the filters with a village community.
Days for Girls kits shared with local women and schoolgirls.
Pi arrives in Port Vila from French Polynesia on 1 September ahead of guest embarkation, after which the vessel begins her northbound traverse through Vanuatu and on into the Solomons.
Vessel specifications and interior photography to follow on confirmation.
Born 1965, New Zealand. Grew up in Papua New Guinea. Fifty years of experience across Melanesia. Co-founded EYOS Expeditions in 2008. Led the Five Deeps Expedition — the first manned descent to the deepest point of all five oceans. Deepest-diving New Zealander at 10,925 m (Challenger Deep). Seven Titanic expeditions. Managed the design of RV Alucia. Licensed pilot, PADI Divemaster. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Lincoln International Medal 2024; Aberystwyth Honorary Doctorate 2025; Explorers Club Citation of Merit 2020. Trustee, Nekton and Ocean Census.
Born of two cultures: Australian and Papua New Guinean. A unique perspective on both Melanesian and European cultures that she openly shares with the visitors she guides. Fluent in neo-Melanesian languages with deep insight into broader Melanesian cultures. Born and raised in PNG, completed her higher education in Australia (Nursing; Sydney University). A qualified master chef; eight years on live-aboard dive boats and a further thirteen years on super yachts. Currently based in Queensland, Australia. Liaises with local chiefs and elders, negotiates reef and landing fees, sources supplies, and advises on security.
Expedition One opens in Port Vila on 6 September 2026 and closes in Munda on 28 September. Expedition Two — Papua New Guinea — follows after a one-month break.