When an island raiding pirate leaves a young pearl diver for dead, the boy is forced on a daring adventure through the South Pacific where he fights headhunters, cannibals and double-crossing pirates to free his village.

SYNOPSIS:

Polynesia. Villagers carry exotic fruit and flowers for a party aboard the visiting brigantine ship, the Sea Raven. KANOA, 17, the smallest of the local pearl divers, spots his love, Ipo and waves but she ignores him. Underwater, Kanoa spots a huge pearl shell. He snaps his blade. Kanoa convinces Tui to go for the giant pearl instead of the feast. Kanoa finds the giant pearl shell. His boss seizes the enormous golden pearl. Kanoa’s boss haggles over the pearl with Captain Bottom who double-crosses him and kills him. The chief demands an explanation. Captain Bottom and his crew hoist anchor with the villagers aboard. They are held at gun point. Kanoa breaks free of his binds, runs after the boat and collapses in the surf.

With nothing left, Kanoa and Tui sail off for distant islands and are captured by a local tribe. Kanoa trades pearls for safe passage. Kanoa refuses to stay. The chief provides an escort. Kanoa is chased by a pigman, the chief’s other son. Kanoa arrives at the harbor and is warned of a raid by the salt-water tribes. A Spanish galleon arrives. Kanoa is arrested as a runaway. Explosions rock the jailhouse. Kanoa escapes.

Kanoa’s family slave away in the timber plantation. Many are sick and dying. Captain Bottom pushes them harder. Kanoa, exhausted and weak, returns home. An old man takes care of him, teaches him to hunt and fish. Captain Espindola and Captain Bottom face off at sea. Espindola reveals his plan to take the headhunter island in the name of Spain.

The old man tells Kanoa he is ready. Kanoa offers to buy a boat and finds himself taken hostage. Kanoa discovers Tui is also held prisoner. Captain Raffy whips Kanoa over the side. The captain slips and breaks his neck. Kanoa uses the captain’s gun to free himself and the crew. Kanoa offers the bushmen their freedom. Captain Bottom arrives to find the remains of Espindola’s galleon. The forced labor is sent ashore to erect a fort. A survey expedition sets off for gold. The surveyor finds a campfire with human teeth.

WAR DRUMS sound. The expedition team finds the missing men’s heads smoking over coals. The surveyor find gold. Meanwhile more men turn up missing.

The bushmen return with a headhunter captive. Kanoa forces his captive to take him to the headhunter king. The king is ashamed at his son. Kanoa offers his pearls in exchange for safe passage. The king takes Kanoa to a sacred cave and examines a large gold pearl.

The prisoners are skin and bones. Kanoa’s crew sneaks in as a prisoner and hides weapons. Ipo looks at Kanoa with new admiration. With torches the bushmen row out and draw fire. At the fort, villagers launch in the whaleboat. Captain Bottom surprises Kanoa with a gun. The two men struggle. BANG! Bottom slumps.

Kanoa hands the Headhunter king the large golden pearl. The men bow. The king gives Kanoa the Sea Raven. At the helm, Kanoa stands with Ipo at his side. The villagers wave farewell. The chief asks Kanoa if having several bushmen onboard is a good idea. Kanoa replies with a smile, “No, not really.”