04 Apr 2014

Kermadec Islands

We have a keen group of 'birders' on board, but also many people keen to explore the seldom visited islands on our itinerary. The crew and expedition team is simply happy to experience some warmer weather after their Antarctic voyages. This morning we sailed close to Esperance Rock, the southern-most island in the Kermadec group. Early this afternoon we visited Curtis and Cheeseman Islands. Although there is a reasonable easterly swell generated by a cyclone to the east of us, the sea conditions are good. Tonight we will be at Macaulay Island and the next two days will be spent at Raoul Island, where New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains a small meterological station and base. You can read about the daily activities of the staff there on their occasional blog.