Heritage Expeditions
Western Pacific Odyssey
- Overview
- Dates & Rates
- Itinerary
- Ship
This expedition offers a rare opportunity for bird and cetacean watchers alike to enjoy the thrill of a South Pacific cruise that includes remote islands and atolls alive with fowl that most birders only encounter in books. This year’s Western Pacific Odyssey commences in the South Island Port of Lyttelton, Christchurch where historically they have commenced in either Auckland or Tauranga. Departing from this location gives us a rare opportunity to see and photograph some of the Southern Albatross’s and petrels not seen on previous Western Pacific Odysseys.
From Lyttelton we will cruise up the east coast of the South Island to the infamous Kaikoura trench – a world renown pelagic ‘hotspot’ and then through the Cook Strait, another well known pelagic birding area, into the Tasman Sea. On the journey from Lyttelton to the Tasman Sea we could potentially view four more species of greater albatross, five species of the smaller albatross (Mollymawks) plus a number of other petrels and prions.
From the Cook Strait the journey through the Tasman Sea takes us to Norfolk Island where we rejoin the traditional itinerary to New Caledonia and onto the Solomon Islands, where we will spend four exciting days birding on a few of the islands in this little South Pacific archipelago. From the Solomon Islands we cruise across to the coast of New Ireland and onto the Caroline Islands (Federated States of Micronesia) where we spend time ashore. Our course from here to Japan takes us as close as possible to Torishima Island at the south end of the Izu Islands, where we hope to see the Short-tailed Albatross, and onto pass Miyakejima Island before arriving in Yokohama, Japan.
For dates and rates, and the full itinerary please click the tabs under the heading above.
Voyage #: 1376
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Pre cruise transfers, all on board ship accommodation and meals, all shore excursions and transfer from ship to Yokohama railway station.
All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities. International/domestic flights, visas and travel insurance.
Western Pacific Odyssey itinerary:
The next day we journey to the Parc de la Rivière Bleue to look for Kagu and Crow Honey-eater. Other birds to be on the lookout for include the Crested Parakeet, Cloven-feathered Dove, Yellow-bellied Robin, New Caledonian (Goliath) Imperial Pigeon and many more.
There are a number of species that we should be on the lookout for, including Bulwer’s Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, White-tailed Tropicbird, White and Sooty Terns and the Frigate Bird.
On Weno Island, the main island in the group, we hope to see species such as Myzomelas, Reed Warbler, Swiftlet and the Ground Dove.
Birds that we may see include Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel, Bonin and Bulwer’s Petrels, Wedge-tailed and Bannerman’s Shearwaters.
As we pass by the Bonin Islands which are an amazing chain of islands, keep look for Humpback Whales and other seabirds as we head towards Torishima Island.
Spirit of Enderby
Our ship - The Spirit of Enderby:
The Spirit of Enderby is a fully ice-strengthened expedition vessel, built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research and is perfect for Expedition Travel.
She carries just 50 passengers and was refurbished in November 2009 to provide comfortable accommodation in twin share cabins approximately half of which have private facilities. All cabins have outside windows or portholes and ample storage space.
On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room. The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top NZ and Australian chefs.
The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Capitan and crew.
The name Spirit of Enderby honours the work and the vision of the Enderby Brothers of London. The Enderby Captains were at the forefront of Antarctic exploration for almost 40 years in the early 1800’s. It also celebrates Enderby Island, arguably the greatest Subantarctic Island in the world.
a) our fleet of RIB’s, (rigid inflatable boats) sometimes referred to as zodiacs. These extremely safe and stable craft will land you at some of the most amazing places.
b) Our specially designed and built Hovercraft (2) give us unprecedented over ice capability in Antarctica allowing us to land in places that are inaccessible to other ships.
Technical description:
- Classification: Russian register KM ice class
- Year built: 1984
- Accommodation: 50 berths expedition
- Shipyard: Finland
- Main engines: power 2x1560 bhp (2x 1147 Kw)
- Register: Russia
- Maximum speed: 12 knots (2 engines),
- Cruising speed: 10 knots(one engine)
- Bunker capacity: 320 tons
Cabin details:
- Heritage Suite: Has a large lounge area, a separate bedroom with double bed, a single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers. There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. There are large forward and side facing windows to allow great views.
- Mini Suites: Have a separate bedroom with a double bed and a single bed or a sofa in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. The Mini Suites have windows.
- Superior Plus cabins: Have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
- Superior cabins: Have bunks (an upper and lower berth), wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
- Main deck cabins: Have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, washbasin and porthole. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.
- Main deck triple: Has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and wash basin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.
