Western Pacific Odyssey

New Zealand, Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands & Japan – Escorted Wildlife & Photography Tour

16 April to 20 May 2011

Leader: Tony Pym

Cruise with us from New Zealand to Japan, on a 4,000 mile transect of the western Pacific Ocean! On this phenomenal voyage, which is a repeat of our very successful 2009 cruise, we shall visit remote islands, search for rare and endemic species, and see numbers of the world's diverse seabirds. It is the best seabirding cruise possible, a birding trip conceived in heaven! Not just the birds though, this expedition is unique for those that simply love the thrill of a cruise in the South and West Pacific that includes distant lands, remote islands and atolls, and rarely visited peoples. After departing Tauranga near Auckland we spend a day in the rich waters of the Hauraki Gulf, home to the recently re-discovered New Zealand Storm- Petrel. From there it is northward to Norfolk Island and New Caledonia where we make shore excursions to see the endemic Kagu. Landfall in the Solomon Islands is planned at remote Rennell Island. Five days are scheduled in the Solomons before sailing north across the Britain Trench, an area known to be rich in cetaceans, to Micronesia. We have landings scheduled at Chuuk (Truk) before Chich Jima in the Bonin Islands. We sail, as close as we are allowed, to Torishima Island, sole breeding grounds for the enigmatic Short-tailed Albatross. The journey will end at Yokohama in Japan.

Our vessel will be the comfortable expedition ship, the Spirit of Enderby, operated by Heritage Expeditions carrying a maximum of 48 passengers. All cabins have portholes or windows and plenty of storage space. The ship has a bar/library lounge and a dedicated lecture room with informal but excellent dining in two dining rooms. She has zodiacs for landings and cruises.

Throughout the cruise you will have the company of our guide Tony Pym, one of the world's seabird and cetacean experts, to look after you.

It is likely that this will be the last cruise of the Western Pacific for many years to come. So early booking is essential to secure your cabin.