Heritage Expeditions will delve into uncharted Australian waters on its newest birding itinerary set for November 2024.
During the Seabirds & Cetaceans of Australasia voyage, departing Port Vila in Vanuatu November 15 and arriving in Hobart, Australia November 23, the pioneering small-ship expedition cruise company will invite guests to contribute to citizen science as they search for rare and elusive pelagic seabirds and cetaceans.
The family-owned and operated cruise company’s commercial director and expedition leader Aaron Russ describes the new nine-day expedition as “an epic east coast pelagic”.
“This voyage has been specially designed with birders, whale, dolphin and cruise enthusiasts and adventurers in mind and offers guests the rare opportunity to explore an extraordinary cross section of the southwestern Pacific including the shallow waters near Chesterfield Reefs, deep waters of the Coral Sea and the edge of the Southern Ocean,” says Aaron. “As much of our journey will be through waters poorly, or never before, surveyed for seabirds and marine mammals we expect to make some intriguing discoveries including possible new sightings in Australian waters.”
This unique Pacific birding voyage offers an incredible opportunity for citizen scientists to significantly expand the knowledge of the distribution of many poorly known and seldom seen seabird species. Starting in Port Vila, the birding voyage will sail immediately offshore, crossing to the north of New Caledonia, past the remote Chesterfield Reefs and from there southbound, far offshore from Australia, all the way to Hobart.
“With much of the voyage being in rarely explored Australian waters, this expedition is a must-do for any birders and naturalists wishing to visit some of the most far-flung and rarely visited reaches of Australian waters,” says Aaron.