Steve Howell from the recently completed Melanesian Odyssey Cruise

This one-off voyage exceeded all expectations and was a true expedition into the unknown. Starting with Fiji Petrel, one of very few at-sea photos ever taken of this recently rediscovered species (below), and ending with Vanikoro Monarch (never before seen by a birding group), we focused on remote island outposts rarely or never before visited by tourists. Landbird highlights included such little-known species as Vanuatu Megapode (below), Royal Parrotfinch, the endearing Ogea Monarch (below), and the poorly known Vanikoro White-eye (described to science in 2008). Other at-sea highlights included the little-known Vanuatu Petrel (below; described in 2001) and Magnificent Petrel (described in 2010), a great diversity of flyingfish (a few below), gaudy flying squid (below), an apparently undescribed (but distinctive) species of beaked whale, and snorkeling with a Dugong! 

Fiji Petrel

Vanuatu Megapode

Ogea Monarch

Vanuatu Petrel

Blue Bandwing

Large Pinkwing

Leopardwing

flying squid