Noumea - Keelung (Taipei) Expedition Micronesia with Marshall Islands and Palau - Pacific paradises - forgotten by the world

The HANSEATIC inspiration dares what hardly any other ship undertakes: Micronesia up close. An expedition for specialists, explorers and pioneers alike. For all those who long for the ultimate Pacific experience, are always looking for more and want to “travel beyond themselves”. Each destination has its very own magic – a mix of eventful past and present – such as the island nation of Vanuatu. Here, you will experience a picture-perfect start on Espiritu Santo with its white Champagne Beach, inviting you to relax and go snorkelling.

Discovering the new and unfamiliar in the vastness of the Pacific also means spending time at sea, because the unknown places are far from familiar shores. On such days at sea, knowledge and enjoyment can be deepened in wonderful ways. The team of experts provides fascinating background information, and you can also relax and enjoy the comfort and service on board. When the ship drops anchor in the crystal-clear Pacific off Butaritari, you will enjoy a magical welcome as locals greet you with traditional ceremonies and dances.

It is hardly possible to emphasise a single highlight among the many dream destinations on this expedition. No matter which turquoise lagoons and small bays the Zodiacs take you to – when you set foot on the Marshall Islands, you will feel like Robinson Crusoe. The widely scattered atolls and over 1,000 islands are still undiscovered by tourists today. Rare species, mysterious rituals, lush jungle: tropical worlds far from our times – like Mili Atoll, home to sea turtles and coconut crabs. American administration as a trust territory had a strong influence on life on Majuro Atoll. Jaluit Atoll gives a sense of total isolation – while it has only around 11 km2 (4.2 mi.2) of land, its lagoon spans almost 700 km2 (270 mi.2). Many of the remote Caroline Islands cannot even be located on a map. This part of the Pacific is almost forgotten by the world today, but your experts know a lot about the former colonial influence, the turmoil of two world wars and the indigenous flora and fauna.

Kosrae is a gem comprising jungle and mangroves – dominated by a volcano in the centre that is more than 600 m (1,968 ft) high. The second-largest of the Caroline Islands, Pohnpei, will definitely exceed your expectations of nature as well. The landscape is characterised by jagged mountains covered in rainforest and over 40 rivers running down from the highlands. A visit to the ancient ruined city of Nan Madol¹, shrouded in mysticism and built on more than 90 man-made islands, will lead you into the heart of lush vegetation. Ulul is one of the many coral islands on this expedition that receive few foreign visitors and invite you to while away some time. The friendly inhabitants of the untouched island of Lamotrek will transport you to another world with their traditional dances.

Yap is also extremely remote, and the people lead very traditional and simple lives here. On a scenic tour¹, marvel at the round stone money banks in front of the houses or take a kayak tour through the mangroves¹ to explore an undisturbed ecosystem. What’s it like to live in isolation on an islet? The Zodiacs give you rare glimpses. Meet the only human living on Ngulu Atoll or enjoy the idyllic setting as you swim and go snorkelling.

The “Floating Garden” of Palau is a dream world. Many tiny islands emerge from the blue-green ocean like mushrooms covered in plant life. To allow you to immerse yourself in this wonder in peace, the HANSEATIC inspiration will stay two days. Plenty of time, for example, to take a boat trip through the Rock Islands¹ or a guided snorkelling tour¹. Bizarre limestone cliffs are overgrown with thick vegetation and a colourful diversity of species lives in shimmering coral. On a scenic flight over the island world¹, you will see this paradise from a completely different perspective. The future of many Pacific islands is uncertain – just a few metres above sea level, they are in danger as sea levels rise. This makes the unforgettable experiences with the HANSEATIC inspiration all the more valuable.