Day 1
Embark late afternoon in Auckland, complete formalities and depart.

Day 2
Through the Hauraki Gulf looking for recently re-discovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel, Grey Ternlet and other specialities. Evening offshore a ‘Pycroft’s Petrel’ island.

Days 3-4
At sea. Expected species include White-necked , Black-winged and grey-faced petrels, Buller’s, Wedge-tailed and Flesh-footed shearwaters.

Day 5
Norfolk Island (Australia). We plan to seek three endemics - Norfolk Island Parakeet, Norfolk Gerygone and Slender-billed White-eye with time to explore around the Island and meet with some of the local people.

Days 6-7
At sea.

Day 8
Noumea (New Caledonia). We will explore the southern end of this tropical paradise island concentrating on Parc de la Riviere Bleue for Kagu. Other birds we will seek include New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon, N.C. (White-bellied) Goshawk, N.C.(Horned) Parakeet, N.C. Myzomela, N.C. Whistler, N.C. Crow, N.C. Cuckoo-Shrike, N.C. Grassbird (very difficult to see), N.C. Friarbird, Crow, Dark-brown and Barred Honeyeaters, Yellow-bellied Robin, Cloven-feathered Dove, Red-throated Parrotfinch and Striated Starling.

Days 9-11
At sea, relax in the Pacific Ocean as we sail to the Solomon Islands.

Day 12
Rennell (Solomon Islands). We shall seek a number of Solomon endemics including the five species restricted to Rennell, Rennell Shrikebill, Fantail, White-eye and Starling plus Bare-eyed White-eye. Our visit to Rennell includes meeting with the local people.

Day 13
San Cristobal (Solomon Islands), a new landing looking for more endemics.

Day 14
Honiara( Solomon Islands). A days birding excursion to Mount Austin. Island group endemics found here include Midget Flowerpecker, Ultramarine Kingfisher, S.I. Cuckoo-Shrike, Ducorp’s Cockatoo, Blyth’s Hornbill and others.

Day 15
At sea, in 2007 this was the area for Heinroth’s shearwater, we are sure to looking for this again.

Day 16
Ghizo and Kolombangara (Solomon Islands). We shall seek more endemics, Splendid White-eye, White-capped Monarch plus Solomon Sea Eagle and later in the day hope to see Roviana Rails as they come out before dark, the species being only first described in 1991.

Days 17-22
At sea.

Day 23

Chuuk (‘Truk’, Caroline Islands). Ashore we will look for Chuuk Monarch, Caroline Islands White-eye, Reed Warbler, Swiftlet and Ground Dove plus Oceanic Flycatcher.

Days 24-28
At sea.

Day 29
Bonin Islands (Japan) – we will seek the endemic honeyeater ashore, Laysan Albatross, Humpbacks and various dolphins in the island’s waters.

Day 30
At sea, new seabirds should include Black-footed Albatross, Streaked Shearwater and Tristam’s Storm Petrel.

Day 31
Torishima (Japan, landing not allowed) We will cruise off the island in the afternoon for surely one of the seabird highlights, Short-tailed Albatross.

Day 32
A final day at sea to reflect on the amazing diversity of the places we have visited.

Day 33
Disembark Yokohama, Japan, after breakfast. A transfer will be provided to the Yokohama Terminal for transfer by fast bus or train to Tokyo.

PLEASE NOTE

Landings at the Islands are by permit only as administered by the relevant Governments. Circumstances may be encountered during our voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed during the voyage.