First offered in 2007, the "WPO" is known as a "must do" expedition for any birder because of the opportunities this voyage provides to see some of the rarest pelagic seabirds in the world. The area is also rich in marine mammal life. And if you tire of the wildlife viewing, you also have numerous opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxation. Join this 31-day adventure, led by expert birding guides, on a route through the exciting Pacific Ocean from New Zealand to Japan.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
In the outer Hauraki Gulf, there should be some good sightings of the Grey Ternlet. Other birds could include the Little Blue Penguin, Buller’s Shearwaters, Grey-faced Petrel, Little Shearwaters and Black Petrels, Fluttering Shearwaters and hopefully the New Zealand Storm-Petrels.
En route to Norfolk Island, you have a good chance of spotting Gould’s Petrel, Black-winged Petrel, White-naped Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, Tahiti Petrel and Black Petrels.
After clearing Australian Customs, spend most of the day at Norfolk Island’s remnant forest, home to the three endemics – the Norfolk Island Parakeet, the Norfolk Gerygone, and the Slender-billed White-eye.
At sea on a northward course, cross a large underwater seamount, a productive area for seabirds including Tahiti, Kermadec and Collared and White-necked Petrels.
As you approach New Caledonia, try to locate the ‘New Caledonian Storm-Petrel’ which is considered an undescribed species. Other species including Short-tailed and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, as well as Tahiti, Gould’s and Collared Petrels could be attracted to our oiling. Later today arrive in Noumea.
Today journey to the Parc de la Rivière Bleue National Park to 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.
This morning go ashore at Rennell Island where your guides 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.
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. Also enjoy the hospitality of the people in nearby Anuta Village.
Anchor off Honiara and depart in the early morning for nearby Mt Austin. The birding here is quite exceptional and there is the potential for a good list of endemics and localized specialties including 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.
At Kolombangara Island this afternoon, your guides hope to see White-capped Monarch, Solomon White-eye, Yellow-vented Myzomela and hopefully, the Roviana Rail. Other species could include Blyths 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.
Today the ship is at sea near the Bougainville and the New Britain Trench. Experience shows that it is a very productive area and it is liekly to see Heinroth’s Shearwater, it is also great for cetaceans.
Today cruise along the coast of New Ireland, where the day's target is the recently rediscovered Beck’s Petrel. Also there is another chance for Heinroth’s Shearwater.
During these days at sea, the ship crosses the equator – a cause for celebration! There are a number of species to be on the lookout for, including Bulwer’s Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, White-tailed Tropicbird, White and Sooty Terns and the Frigate Bird.
On Weno Island, where the ship is berthed, you can hope to see species such as Myzomelas, Reed Warbler, Swiftlet and the Ground Dove. Caroline Islands White-eye, Swiftlet and Reed Warbler, the Micronesian Myzomela and Starling as well as Oceanic Flycatcher are also possible sightings. On Tol South it is possible to see the endemic Great Truk White-eye and the Chuuk Monarch.
It’s a long-haul to the Bonin Islands and the birding can be quiet, but there is potentially some good sightings including Matsudaira’s and Tristram’s Storm-Petrel, Bonin and Bulwer’s Petrels, Wedge-tailed and Bannerman’s Shearwaters.
Landings are not permitted at Torishima Island, but you can cruise close by in hopes of spotting the Short-tailed or Steller’s Albatross. Other species in the vicinity include the Black-footed and Laysan Albatross, Streaked Shearwater, Tristam’s and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels.
Cruise offshore of this island, where there is known to be Japanese Murrelet breeding. Continue your journey to Yokohama, where there is generally some good birding on this last leg of the cruise. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.
Day 31: Disembark in Yokohama, Japan
1 Breakfast
After breakfast and completing Japanese arrival formalities, disembark the Spirit of Enderby. Bid farewell to your fellow voyagers and board a complimentary transfer from the ship to Yokohama railway station.
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.
$10,080
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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
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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.
