Melanesia is comprised of thousands of islands, large and small. These islands boast lush tropical rainforest packed with many endemic birds and other wildlife. The seas surrounding the islands are some of the richest in the world in terms of marine diversity. Melanesia is renowned for its friendly people, beautiful beaches and clear warm waters and travelling through this region is a pleasure in itself. The comfortable Spirit of Enderby is the perfect vessel to explore these islands on a South Pacific expedition cruise.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet at the Holiday Inn Suva before your transfer to the Spirit of Enderby berthed at the Port of Suva. Sail for the waters off Gau. The island of Gau is famous amongst seabird aficionados as it is suspected to be the only breeding ground of the critically endangered Fiji Petrel. This is an extremely rare and elusive bird and sightings are far from certain, but your crew will be making every effort possible to locate this bird during your time off Gau. Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, Red-footed and Brown Boobies, Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds, Sooty and White Terns and Black and Brown Noddies are all likely to be seen today and throughout your time at sea during this South Pacific voyage.
Day 2: Ogea Levu, Fiji
This morning make a chumming effort for Fiji Petrels and hope to see them after they depart their breeding grounds. This afternoon depart the Gau region for Ogea Levu, home to the extremely localized Ogea Monarch which occurs on only two small islands within the Lau Archipelago.
Day 3: Ogea Levu, Fiji
Your main target this morning is the Ogea Monarch. Very few birders or ornithologists have ever managed to visit this island but it is thought that this species is still fairly common here so you should have a good chance of locating it and perhaps also assessing its status. You may also be able to observe the near endemic Blue-crowned Lorikeet. Late this afternoon depart for the island of Kadavu.
Day 4: Kadavu Island, Fiji
Kadavu offers excellent birding and has four endemics: Crimson Shining Parrot, Kadavu Honeyeater, Kadavu Fantail and Whistling Dove and we hope to see all of these. This island also offers a chance to see a good selection of more widespread Fijian birds.
Day 5-6: At Sea
At sea between Fiji and Vanuatu. These waters are essentially unknown ornithologically but this is likely to be an interesting crossing. Several species of petrel and other tropical seabirds are likely to feed in these waters and it could be good for cetaceans.
Day 7: Efate Island, Vanuatu
Vanuatu has many islands and you will explore some of these, they are rich in culture and surrounded by colorful coral reefs, deserted beaches and crystal blue waters. Hopefully see your first Vanuatu endemic, the Yellow-fronted White-eye and other species that you may be able to find are Dark-brown Honeyeater and the elusive Blue-faced Parrotfinch.
Day 8: Tongoa, Shepherd Islands
Few birders get the chance to visit the Shepherd Islands, and you will be visiting the largest island of Tongoa. In addition to the more common Vanuatu birds, be looking for the Royal Parrotfinch, a striking and very poorly known bird that occurs widely in Vanuatu but is rarely seen outside the Shepherd Islands. It is very elusive but you have all morning to search for it. In the afternoon continue north.
Day 9: At Sea
Have the entire day at sea today as your expedition vessel heads northwards. This provides a great opportunity to look out for seabirds, including the Vanuatu Petrel, as well as cetaceans.
Day 10: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
The island of Espiritu Santo is home to all of Vanuatu’s endemic birds, including the Santo Mountain Starling, a species restricted entirely to Santo. Spend the day birding the Vatthe Conservation area. You should see a good selection of the endemic Vanuatu birds here including Tanna Fruit Dove, Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher and Buff-bellied Monarch, and hopefully the mound-building Vanuatu Megapode. You should also see a good range of more widespread birds.
Day 11: Banks Islands, Vanuatu
These islands hit the birding headlines a few years ago when the Vanuatu Petrel was not only rediscovered here, but its nesting grounds were found. Even more recently, a distinctly dark subspecies of Collared Petrel, dubbed the Magnificent Petrel, has also been found. Both species are apparently regularly seen at sea off the islands and you will have the whole day to search for them.
Day 12: Banks Islands & Sola, Vanuatu
Continue your birding in the Banks Islands this morning. If you still have not seen the Vanuatu and Magnificent Petrel continue your search for them. If you have seen them there will be an option for an exploratory landing to search for some of the endemics. This afternoon call briefly at Sola in Port Patterson, the capital of the Torba Province.
Day 13: Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands
This morning is at sea as you steam north towards the Santa Cruz Islands. On arrival once formalities are completed and if time permits there will be an opportunity to land and have an evening’s birding.
Day 14: Nendo Island, Solomon Islands
Spend the day birding on Nendö Island. Stand a good chance of seeing the three endemic birds, Santa Cruz White-eye, the bizarre looking Sanford’s White-eye and the Santa Cruz Shrikebill which is seemingly very rare. You also have a chance of seeing Rusty-winged Starling here.
Day 15: Vanikoro Island, Solomon Islands
Arrive at Vanikoro Island in the early morning. Today search for the two endemics on Vanikoro Island, the Vanikoro Monarch and the Vanikoro White-eye, the latter species described as recently as 2008. Very few birders have had the opportunity to explore this remote island so it is something of an expeditionary day.
Day 16: At Sea
Have a final day at sea to reflect on your experiences and enjoy the sunshine and tropical seabirds that have been your companions throughout this expedition.
Day 17: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Arrive at Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands where you will anchor offshore and after breakfast you and your luggage are transferred ashore by Zodiac. There will be a complimentary shuttle to a local hotel or the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
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Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Notes
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
