Western Pacific Odyssey

Day 1 Port of Lyttelton

Arrive into the city of Christchurch and transfer to the Port of Lyttelton where you will join the Spirit of Enderby. After settling into your cabin you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and there will be some on board safety briefings. The ship will depart this evening.

Day 2 Kaikoura and the Cook Strait

Arrive in the early morning off the shore of the small fishing village of Kaikoura, made famous with its whale watching and pelagic birding tours. There will be no landings here, however, the ship will cruise along the Kaikoura Trench, known by many birders for the albatross species seen here. You will be looking for certain species in particular including Gibsons, Southern, Northern Royal and Salvins Albatross, Westland and White-chinned Petrel.

Days 3--5 At Sea

En route to Norfolk Island, you will have a good chance of spotting Gould’s Petrel, Black-winged Petrel, White-naped Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, Tahiti Petrel and Black Petrels.

Day 6 Norfolk Island

After clearing Australian Customs, spend most of the day at Norfolk Island’s Botanical Gardens, home to the two endemics – the Norfolk Island Parakeet and the Norfolk Gerygone.

Days 7-8 At Sea

At sea on a northward course, cross a large underwater seamount, a productive area for seabirds including Tahiti, Kermadec and Grey-faced Petrels, plus the first of the Polynesian Storm Petrels.

Day 9 New Caledonia

In the early morning pick up your pilot for the journey into the Port of Noumea and travel to the Parc de la Rivière Bleue. Located 60 kilometres from Noumea, the provincial park of the Blue River occupies an area of 9,045 hectares, its purpose to protect and conserve the natural heritage, provide recreation, education and scientific research facilities.

Home to many bird species they include New Caledonia's national bird, the Cagou (or Kagu). We will look for Kagu and Crow Honey-eater. Other birds to be on the lookout for include the Crested Parakeet, Cloven-feathered Dove, Yellow-bellied Robin, New Caledonian (Goliath) Imperial Pigeon and many more.

Days 10-12 At Sea

Enjoy these leisurely days at sea. There will be a series of lectures from your experts, or you can simply relax in the ship’s bar, catch up with some reading in the library or have a sleep in your cabin. If you have brought your laptop with you, there will be time to download and edit photos while they are fresh in your mind.

Day 13 Rennell Island

The southernmost of the Polynesian islands in the Solomon Island group, a raised coral atoll, 86 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide, Rennell is the largest example of this in the world. With the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific, Te Nggano attracts a unique habitat for many endemic bird species and is a nominated site for World Heritage status.

This morning go ashore at Rennell Island and hope to see the Rennell Starling, Rennell Shrikebill, Bare-eyed White-eye, Rennell Fantail and Rennell White-eye. Other species you may come across include the Imperial Pigeon, Silver-capped Fruit Dove, Singing Parrot, Melanesian Flycatcher, Cardinal Myzomela, Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot and Island Thrush. There is the chance to experience the culture and interact with the locals and possibly a snorkelling opportunity.

Day 14 Makira Island

Makira Island holds its own treasures, including the endemic Sooty Myzomela, San Cristobal Melidectes, White-collared Monarch, Mottled Flowerpeckers, White-headed Fruit Dove and Rufous Fantail. Other species could include Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-knobbed and Imperial Pigeon, San Cristobal Singing and Metallic Starling, Pied Goshawk, Pacific Baza, and Cardinal Myzomela. You will also enjoy the hospitality of the people in nearby Anuta Village.

Day 15 Honiara

Anchor off Honiara and depart in the early morning for nearby Mt. Austin. Birds that you might see include Yellow-eyed, White-bellied and Solomon’s Cuckoo-shrikes, Cicadabird, Brown-winged and Singing Starlings, Yellow-faced Myna, Chestnut-bellied and Black-and-white Monarchs and also the Steely Blue Fly-catcher.

From the top of Mt. Austen there is a spectacular view out to sea and across the mountain ranges. The location of the Henderson Airfield and its surrounds was one of the key focal points of attention, during World War II.

Day 16 Kolombangara Island

Make land at Kolombangara Island in the early afternoon. There hope to see White-capped Monarch, Solomon White-eye, Yellow-vented Myzomela and, hopefully, the Roviana Rail. Other species could include Blyth’s Hornbill, Superb Fruit Dove, Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon, Steely Blue Fly-catcher, Melanesian and Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrikes, Metallic and Singing Starlings and the Solomon Sea-Eagle.

Day 17 At Sea

Having departed the Solomons, spend time over a deepwater canyon near Bougainville-New Britain Trench – experience reveals that it is a very productive area. There, hope to see Heinroth’s Shearwater.

Day 18 New Ireland

To the north-east of mainland Papua New Guinea lies the mysterious and beautiful New Ireland Province. New Ireland is the long narrow island north of New Britain. Spend the day cruising off the coast, where your target for the day is the Beck’s Petrel. Other species could include Wedge-tailed and Streaked Shearwaters.

Day 19 Kavieng, New Ireland

Arriving in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea disembark from the Spirit of Enderby. Situated at the northern tip of New Ireland, Kavieng is nestled against a beautiful harbour surrounding islands ringed with sandy beaches and coral reefs. Spend the day this area where the ancient art of shark calling is practiced. Tonight stay in a hotel for your final night together before passengers disperse the following morning.

Day 20 Port Moresby

It is an early start today with an early morning transfer to Kavieng airport. Daily flights leave for Port Moresby to allow you to connect with international flights.