Many people have had a taste of the South Pacific and Melanesia on a cruise or conventional tour, but there are numerous islands off the popular routes which due to their relative isolation offer an enticing array of experiences. Previously only the lucky few have sailed these blue waters on private yachts, dropping anchor in secluded bays, going ashore to explore virtually untouched rainforests and making contact with locals who rarely receive visitors. This world is now accessible to you on the Spirit of Enderby.
This expedition includes New Zealand's rarely visited Kermadec Islands, Tonga (including the remote northern island of ‘Tin Can' or Nuiafo'ou), the outer islands of Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomons. The seas surrounding these islands are some of the richest in the world in terms of marine diversity.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome aboard. From the deck there is a good chance you will see Grey-faced, Cook’s and Black Petrel, Buller’s Shearwater, a few albatross and even Pycroft’s Petrel.
Day 2: At Sea
Today pass through prime Pterodroma petrel country. You are likely to encounter Black-winged, White-necked, Kermadec and Cook’s and may also see the mighty Sperm Whale and the elusive Cuvier’s Beaked Whale.
Day 3: L Esperance Rock and Curtis/Cheeseman Islands - Kermadec Islands
On these havens for breeding seabirds be on the lookout for White-bellied Storm-Petrel and the Kermadec White-faced Storm-Petrel. Encounters likely are the Masked Booby, Red-tailed Tropicbird and Black Noddy. Plan to Zodiac cruise the coastline and possibly dive or snorkel.
Day 4-5: Raoul Island
The weather and sea conditions will dictate your two days on Raoul Island but your crew will maximize your time ashore or in the water snorkeling or diving. Hope to encounter Galapagos Sharks and the massive and very inquisitive Spotted Black Grouper here. On shore the most interesting birds are the Kermadec Red-crowned Parakeet and the elusive Spotless Crake. Close encounters with Black Noddy, Grey Ternlet, White Tern and the beautiful Red-tailed Tropicbird are also likely.
Day 6-7: At Sea
Hope to see Tahiti and Collared Petrels in these ornithologically virtually unknown waters.
Day 8: Nuku alofa - Tonga
Optional birding, natural history, cultural or swimming and snorkeling tours are available today.
Day 9: Vava'u - Tonga
The Vava’u Island group is a spectacular tropical island paradise suitable for swimming and snorkelling. Birders will be keen to search for the endemic Tongan Whistler and the near-endemic Blue-crowned Lorikeet.
Day 10: Nuiafo'ou Island - Tonga
Northern most of all the Tongan islands. Nuiafo’ou is home to the critically endangered endemic Tongan Megapode.
Day 11: Vava'u - Tonga
Return briefly to the island of Vava’u to clear Tongan customs then begin your journey to Fiji.
Day 12: At Sea
Today keep a sharp eye out for the critically endangered Fiji Petrel, the Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby and White-tailed Tropicbird.
Day 13: Levuka - Fiji
Arrive in the historic Port of Levuka, on the island of Ovalau. In the hills above Levuka you could encounter Masked Shining Parrot, Barking Pigeon, Giant Forest Honeyeater, Golden Dove and Red-headed Parrotfinch.
Day 14: Suva - Fiji
Arrive in Suva, the capital of Fiji where your time is free until midday tomorrow. Apart from lunch today (not included in the voyage price), meals and accommodation will be available on board.
Day 15: Suva and At Sea
This afternoon sail for the waters off Gau in search of the critically endangered Fiji Petrel. 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.
Day 16: Ogea Levu - Fiji
This morning continue searching for Fiji Petrels and this afternoon will depart for Ogea Levu.
Day 17: Ogea Levu - Fiji
The main target this morning is the Ogea Monarch which we should have a good chance of locating here. You also hope to see the near endemic Blue-crowned Lorikeet.
Day 18: Kadavu Island - Fiji
Kadavu has four endemics: Crimson Shining Parrot, Kadavu Honeyeater, Kadavu Fantail and Whistling Dove and hope to encounter all of these.
Day 19-20: At Sea
Several species of petrel and other tropical seabirds are likely to feed in these waters and it could be good for cetaceans.
Day 21: Efate Island - Vanuatu
Explore some of Vanuatu’s many islands which are surrounded by colorful coral reefs. Here lookout for the endemic Yellow-fronted White-eye. Other species are Dark-brown Honeyeater and the elusive Blue-faced Parrotfinch.
Day 22: Tongoa - Shepherd Islands - Vanuatu
A rare chance to visit the Shepherd Islands where you will land on Tongoa – also known as Kuwae. This morning be looking for the elusive and striking Royal Parrotfinch rarely seen outside the Shepherd Islands.
Day 23: At Sea
A great opportunity to look out for seabirds such as the Vanuatu Petrel, as well as cetaceans.
Day 24: Espiritu Santo - Vanuatu
You should see a good selection of Vanuatu’s endemic birds on the island of Espiritu Santo including the Santo Mountain Starling, Tanna Fruit Dove, Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher, Buff-bellied Monarch and hopefully the mound-building Vanuatu Megapode.
Day 25: Banks Islands - Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Petrel and a distinctly dark subspecies of Collared Petrel, dubbed the Magnificent Petrel, have been found on these islands.
Day 26: Banks Islands and Sola - Vanuatu
Make an exploratory landing on Banks Islands this morning and will call briefly at Sola in Port Patterson, the capital of the Torba Province.
Day 27: Santa Cruz Islands - Solomon Islands
This morning steam north towards the Santa Cruz Islands. Once formalities are completed time permitting there will be an opportunity to land this evening.
Day 28: Nendo Island - Solomon Islands
Stand a good chance of seeing the endemic Santa Cruz White-eye and the bizarre looking Sanford’s White-eye, but the endemic Santa Cruz Shrikebill is rare. The Rusty-winged Starling can also be observed here.
Day 29: Vanikoro Island - Solomon Islands
Today search for two endemics, the Vanikoro Monarch and the Vanikoro White-eye.
Day 30: At Sea
A final day at sea to enjoy the tropical seabirds that have been your companions throughout this expedition.
Day 31: Honiara - Solomon Islands
Arrive at Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands. After breakfast you and your luggage will be transferred ashore by Zodiac and a complimentary shuttle will take you 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
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.