'Pitcairn Islands Explorer'

(A two-week voyage to three islands in the Pitcairn Group)

2011 date:
18th January - 1st February

Book Air Tahiti flight VT951 online at www.airtahiti.aero. We meet the Tuesday flights from Tahiti to the Gambier Islands.

Your flight arrives at the Gambier Islands at mid-day. After a short wait at the airport terminal you will be taken on the Air Tahiti ferry boat across the lagoon to Rikitea village (on Mangareva Island).

After meeting the Sailing Vessel Southern Cross at the wharf, every passenger will be assigned their own bunk and have their passport stamped for departure. All food will be supplied during the voyage

After about two days at sea we arrive at Pitcairn Island, and you are invited to stay onshore with local families; which family you board with can be arranged in advance, or will be arranged on your arrival by the Island Mayor (the traditional way). There is also a private home for rent (the "Pitcairn Chalet") owned by Brenda and Mike Christian. For more details and to make a booking click here

The cost for your stay onshore is not included in our pricing and should be budgeted at approximately US$70 per night per person for full board, which will also include some guiding around the island - this is to be paid direct to your host family. This type of ecotourism has been encouraged in the last few years as a way of boosting the islands economy in a sustainable way

Sometime during the next week (when the weather is most suitable) we travel overnight to the World Heritage Site of Henderson Island. Many scientists consider Henderson 'the most pristine tropical island in the world'. At Henderson we will be going ashore for a day trip (weather dependent). This will give you a chance to see the five endemic birds: ie Henderson Dove, Henderson Rail, Henderson Parrot, Henderson Warbler and Henderson Petrel, plus a myriad of other indigenous plants and animals

Henderson also has excellent snorkeling and diving and some of the most beautiful uninhabited beaches in the world. The scuba diving at Henderson is famous for its healthy population of Grey reef sharks, plus some spectacular landscape in the form of caves and sink holes under the cliffs along the western side of the island

On our return voyage to Mangareva we will be sailing via Pitcairn to pick up extra passengers bound for the Gambier Islands

We aim to arrive back in the Gambier Islands on Monday and will anchor at Rikitea village to enable visits to this picturesque town. Other things you can organize are a tour around the big island (Mangareva) by car, and a visit to a pearl farm

Price: Our two-weeks 'Pitcairn Islands Explorer' package is priced at US$3,400 per person