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North to the Kermadec Islands
11 Day Itinerary
Ship: Spirit
of Enderby (Professor Khromov)
Lonely outposts in the southwest pacific this isolated
group of islands are the summits of huge undersea volcanoes situated
along the western edge of the Kermadec trench, protruding above
the ocean.
The Islands have an unique assemblage of subtropical and temperate
species, testimony to the process of evolution arriving from climate
and isolation. Both the plant and bird communities have been heavily
modified by people who attempted to make a living from these islands,
but a conservation programme is restoring the island, the goats
and rats have been removed and many introduced plants controlled.
The marine ecosystem which is protected by an extensive Marine Reserve
is unique in the world and offers amazing dive opportunities. Because
of its location far from the main shipping routes it is one of the
more difficult places in the world to get to. Our annual expedition
provides an opportunity to explore the island and dive in the marine
reserve.
| Itinerary |
| Day
1 Embark Spirit of Enderby in the Port of Auckland
and depart through the Hauraki Gulf.
Days 2 – 3 Time at sea with a
series of lectures on the Kermadecs, chances for observations
of birds and marine mammals to simply time to relax. L’Esperance
is the first of the Kermadec Is group we will see then Curtis
and Cheeseman.
Days 4 – 7 Four days are planned
with time ashore or underwater depending on your activities.
Possible walks include Boat Cove to Base, Green Lake Walk
and Denham Bay Hut. The best diving is around Meyer Islands
but we will also be exploring new sites in this subtropical
marine reserve.
It will be possible for divers to go ashore for walks and
likewise for walkers to go snorkeling. Flexibility and maximum
use of time and resources are the key to the programme.
Day 8 Arrive off Macauley Island with
zodiac cruising if conditions permit.
Days 9 -10 Enjoy life at sea before
returning to every day life, recaps will allow all to share
in the experiences that we had at the Kermadec Islands
Day 11 Arrive to the Port of Auckland,
bid farewells and disembark.
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