Join the crew of the Spirit of Enderby on this amazing 18-day cruise to Papua New Guinea via Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Melanesia and the Solomon Islands. This expedition incorporates many of the key birding areas in the South West Pacific, cruising from New Zealand and following the path of the voyage traditionally known in birding circles as ‘Western Pacific Odyssey or WPO', and ending in Papua New Guinea. The Western Pacific Odyssey was first offered in 2007 and is now considered one of the ‘must do' expeditions for any birder because of opportunities to see some of the rarest pelagic seabirds in the world, plus many island endemics. In addition the cetacean list is outstanding and there will be numerous snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing opportunities.
Highlights
Discover rare birds, history, colorful cultures, and exotic marine life
Snorkel and swim off pristine white sandy beaches on remote Pacific Islands
Observe how vegetation and wildlife adapt to the gradual change in climate
Immerse yourself in local village life and visit historic sites
Gain knowledge from some of the best pelagic birding guides in the world
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival in Tauranga, transfer to the Spirit of Enderby. Settle into your cabin and join your expedition team and captain for a welcome cocktail on board as you cruise north up the coast of New Zealand.
Cruise past the Mokohinau Islands, looking for grey ternlet, little penguin, grey-faced and black petrels, little, fluttering and Buller’s shearwaters, and the recently rediscovered New Zealand storm-petrel.
While sailing to Norfolk Island, keen birders can spend time out on deck for a good chance of seeing Gould’s, black-winged, Kermadec, white-necked, black and grey-faced petrels, and wedge-tailed and short-tailed shearwaters. During the days at sea your specialists provide an entertaining variety of lectures on the history, culture, marine mammals, and birdlife of the region.
Norfolk Island’s rugged coastline, golden sand beaches, lush native bush, and fascinating history also offers a chance to see three endemics - the Norfolk Island parakeet, Norfolk gerygone and the slender-billed white-eye.
While sailing on a northward course, cross a large underwater seamount, a productive area for seabirds such as Tahiti, Kermadec, collared, and white-necked petrels.
Visit the forests of the Rivière Bleue National Park searching for New Caledonian endemics such as the unique kagu and highly range-restricted crow honeyeater as well as the horned parakeet, cloven-feathered dove, yellow-bellied robin, and New Caledonian imperial pigeon.
Enjoy a glimpse into the Kanak way of life, which retains its authenticity on this remote island. The day’s activity should include snorkeling the lagoons and coral reefs, jungle walking, Zodiac cruising mangrove-wreathed lagoons, and meeting the locals. Birders look for the two species which are only found on this island, the large lifou white-eye and small lifou white-eye.
Two leisurely days at sea offer time to relax, sort through photos, catch up on reading, and sleep. Also keep a look out for Polynesian storm-petrel and an interesting range of marine mammals and flying fish.
Land expecting the full village welcome on the small coral island of Santa Ana, with colorful warriors, music, and rhythmic dancing. Once formalities are completed, enthusiastic children are keen to show off their home as they escort you around the village. Try snorkeling at the reef edge or just stretch the legs on a walk across the island to visit the other settlements or look for a new selection of exotic birds.
Enjoy the treasures of Makira Island to include the endemic sooty myzomela, San Cristobal melidectes, San Cristobal starling, Makira flycatcher, Makira cicadabird, white-collared monarch, mottled flowerpecker, white-headed fruit-dove, and chestnut-bellied imperial-pigeon. Later visit the idyllic Anuta Village.
Anchor off Honiara and depart for nearby Mt Austin in the early morning. Birding here is absolutely remarkable with good possibilities of endemics and localized specialties including ultramarine kingfisher, Blyth’s hornbill, Solomon Islands cuckoo-shrike, chestnut-bellied and black-and-white monarchs, steel-blue flycatcher, and yellow-faced myna. The later risers enjoy a tour of Honiara.
Explore Santa Isabel and its surrounding islands, said to be amongst the most picturesque places in the Solomon Islands. Zodiac cruise through an amazing channel where the rainforest comes down to the water’s edge, and see a range of parrots and other wildlife, including a chance of dugong. Plan to visit Vakao Island where there is an opportunity to explore the verdant rainforest and look for some localized birds such as red-capped myzomela and yellow-throated white-eye.
Kolombangara’s Imbu Rano Conservation Area offers a walk through dense forest to view picturesque waterfalls and grottos. More endemic birds can be found here including pale mountain pigeon, duchess lorikeet, and white-capped monarch. An afternoon sailing finds you scanning the sea for dolphins and hopefully the highly localized and rare Heinroth’s shearwater.
Call in at the rarely-visited Shortland Islands, which were a Japanese seaplane war-time base. Have the opportunity to see the impact of World War II on the remote atolls and local settlements.
Cruising off the coast of New Ireland gives you your best chance of finding the recently rediscovered Beck’s petrel as well as Heinroth’s shearwater. This region can also be excellent for cetaceans and previously melon-headed whales as well as both pygmy and dwarf sperm whales have been seen.
Day 18: Disembark in Kokopo, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
1 Breakfast
Following breakfast and the completion of arrival formalities, disembark the Spirit of Enderby. Bid farewell to voyage companions and board a complimentary transfer to a centrally located hotel or the airport to conclude your voyage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 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
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
2 days ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
3 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
5 days ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
5 days ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
Brooke Hopper
6 days ago
Excellent service, great hotels and well organized excursions with expert guides! Highly recommended!
