A Tahiti Petrel rockets in front of the boat, one of nearly 40 species of tubenose seen on the cruise. Photo: Steve Howell
This cruise with Heritage Expeditions offers a rare opportunity to view seabirds, marine mammals, and island birds on a route from New Zealand to southern Japan—from rare seabirds like the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel and the iconic Short-tailed Albatross (around its breeding grounds), to little-known island endemics on islands including New Caledonia (home of the Kagu) and the Caroline Islands.
Day 1: We’ll embark the Spirit of Enderby in late afternoon in Tauranga, New Zealand, and head out to sea in the evening.
Day 2: Today we’ll sail through the Hauraki Gulf, in New Zealand’s North Island, home to a remarkable selection of breeding seabirds that includes Parkinson’s, Cook’s, and Pycroft’s petrels, Buller’s and Flesh-footed shearwaters, Gray Ternlets, and, of course, the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel.
Days 3-4: At sea en route to Norfolk Island. Expected species include White-necked, Black-winged, and Great-winged Petrels, and with luck a Wandering Albatross or two.
Day 5: Norfolk Island (Australia). We’ll have a day on this idyllic island, home to the Norfolk Island Pine plus breeding Black Noddies, White Terns, and Red-tailed Tropicbirds. We’ll look for the three island endemics, Norfolk Island Parakeet, Norfolk Gerygone and Slender-billed White-eye at the lush Botanical Gardens.
Day 6: At sea towards New Caledonia. Seabirds in this little-known stretch of ocean will likely include Kermadec, Gould’s, Collared, and Tahiti petrels, plus numerous Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Sooty Terns.
Days 7-8: Noumea (New Caledonia). We’ll have a day to explore the rainforest at Riviere Bleue National Park, home to the unique Kagu and other endemics such New Caledonian (N. C.) Imperial Pigeon, Cloven-feathered Dove, Horned Parakeet, N.C. Myzomela, N.C. Friarbird, Barred and Crow honeyeaters, N.C. Whistler, the tool-using N.C. Crow, Yellow-bellied Robin, Green-backed White-eye, Red-throated Parrotfinch and Striated Starling.
Days 9-11: At sea towards the Solomon Islands. Tubenoses on this sector should include Collared, Gould’s, Solander’s (Providence), and Tahiti Petrels, and with luck one or two Polynesian Storm-Petrels.
Day 12: Rennell (Solomon Islands). We’ll seek a number of Solomons endemics, including the five species restricted to the tropical island paradise of Rennell: the Rennell Shrikebill, Fantail, White-eye, and Starling, plus the bizarre-looking Bare-eyed White-eye.
Day 13: Anuta Island.
Day 14: Honiara.
Day 15: Kolombangara (Solomon Islands). Here we hope to find the recently described (in 1991!) Roviana Rail, as well as Solomon Sea-Eagle, White-capped Monarch, and other Solomons endemics.
Day 16: Bougainville coast—at sea across the Equator. This area of tropical ocean is poorly known, and we plan to spend some time exploring the waters off Bougainville, which can be rich in cetaceans and, with luck, may produce the enigmatic Beck’s Petrel as well as more Heinroth’s Shearwaters. Tropical terns, boobies, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and some amazing flying fish also occur in these waters.
Day 17: New Ireland South Point / Northern between Islands Dark.
Days 18-19: At sea.
Day 20: Chuuk Pilot Station, and to the other side of Weno. Ashore in this diver’s paradise we’ll look for Caroline Islands White-eye, Caroline Islands Swiftlet, Caroline Islands Ground Dove, Oceanic Flycatcher, and Caroline Islands Reed Warbler, and search for the rare Truk Monarch.
Day 21: Weno by bus.
Days 22-26: At sea, where new seabirds should include Black-footed Albatross, Streaked Shearwater, and Tristram’s Storm-Petrel.
Day 27: Chichi-jima.
Day 28: At sea.
Day 29: Torishima (Japan, landing not allowed). We’ll cruise by the island and with luck encounter one of the trip’s seabird highlights, the iconic Steller’s (Short-tailed) Albatross.
Day 30: Miyake-jima.
Day 31: Disembark Yokohama, Japan, after breakfast. Transfer to Tokyo Narita airport.
Updated: 24 November 2009
Prices
- Cabin prices from $9,990
Notes
2010 cabin prices from $9,990 to $13,650. The deposit for this tour is 25% of the tour price. Please see the Tour Information page for important cancellation and refund policies applicable to this cruise.
Fares include all meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; program of lectures by naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Fares do not include tips to ship staff; airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post-cruise land arrangements; transfers to/from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage; travel (trip cancellation) insurance or personal insurance (both strongly recommended); excess baggage charges; and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges, and telecommunication charges.
The Auckland hotel the night before embarkation and landing fees will be charged separately.