Travel to Wallis and Futuna islands aboard 'Coral Adventurer'

With no fixed itinerary, the 21-night voyage departing December 16 from Cairns to Auckland has been described as "a true blue-water expedition for only the most intrepid of explorers".

Coral Expeditions commercial director Jeff Gillies says the company's new fleet allows it to explore places few have heard of, let alone visited. "These small islands caught our attention due to their rich and complex history," he said.

Contested for centuries by the Tongans, English and French, the outposts are volcanic island groups separated by some 200 kilometres of Pacific Ocean. Those stepping ashore will follow in the footsteps of ancient Fijian and Samoan traders, pioneering Dutch navigators, later English explorers and French missionaries.

The voyage will showcase layers of cultural influences marked by ancient Polynesian thatch fale houses, the traditional kava drink and imposing Catholic cathedrals.

After exploring Wallis and Futuna, Coral Adventurer will steam further south to Niue, one of the world's largest coral atolls.

The captain and expedition team will survey conditions along the way and call on rarely visited islands such as historical Luganville and lush Pentecost in Vanuatu.

Christmas and New Year will be spent at sea and after crossing the International Date Line, the adventure will end in Auckland.

Visit here and click on Christmas Voyages under Cruises & Destinations.

MEANWHILE Aurora Expeditions' new, purpose-built expedition ship, Sylvia Earle, will make her debut voyage on the Sub-Antarctic Safari in November.

The ship will be christened by its namesake, the renowned marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr Sylvia Earle, before making its way to the wildlife havens of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Aurora Expeditions chief marketing officer Hayley Peacock-Gower said the vessel was "a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet, with a large focus on marine education and conservation".