Rapa Expedition

A 19 day down-wind voyage from the Gambier Islands to:
Iles Marotiri, Rapa,
Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimitara, Maria,
Mangaia & Rarotonga

2011 date:
19th April - 7th May

Departure from Mangareva, Gambier Islands: After meeting the
S/V Southern Cross at the main wharf in Rikitea village, every passenger will be assigned his/her own bunk. All food will be supplied during the voyage. In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to drive the coastal road completely around the main island of Mangareva, which gives excellent views of the massive lagoon. The Gambier Islands are very like a large version of Bora Bora, but without the thousands of tourists to ruin the view. We plan to depart late in the afternoon.

Iles Marotiri (Bass Rocks): These half dozen basalt pinnacles rise straight up out of the water from a shallow shelf about 20 to 40 metres deep and 10km across. Landing is extremely difficult in anything but perfectly calm conditions as large swells wrap their way around all sides of these small islets. We have been here once before at this time of year. The sky is thick with seabirds and this is definitely the place to do some underwater exploration as very little pollution or commercial fishing is evident. There should be some good underwater landscape in the form of caves and sink holes close to the cliffs.

Rapa Island: This ancient high island is all that is left of a much larger land mass that was emergent during the last ice age ca. 20,000 years ago. This helps explain the very high rate of endemism in the plants and animals of this remarkable island. The geography is dominated by a large central lagoon - this is the calderas of the long extinct Rapa volcano, and forms a perfectly sheltered anchorage from which to base our shore excursions. The surrounding mountain tops are littered with the remains of ancient stone fortifications - something unique to Rapa, but with some similarity to the ancient mountain top 'pa' of New Zealand.

Raivavae: A high island surrounded by a large deep lagoon. The pass onto the lagoon is wide and the anchorage is excellent. There is one main road around the island. The interior is very steep with pockets of native forest. The native population of Raivavae was devistated on first contact with Europeans, when 90% died of introduced dieses etc during the first half of the 1800s.

Tubuai: Geologically similar to Raivavae, this is the main administrative island of the Austral Islands group. The HMV Bounty mutineers built a small fort here in 1789, but abandoned it when they where attacked by a mob of angry locals. They later went on to found the small colony on Pitcairn Island that survives to this day in expreme isolation.

Rurutu: On this Austral island, the lagoon is both narrow and shallow. The islands interior is very rugged and similar to Tubuai and Raivavae in having a lot of archaeological sites. There is a well constructed harbour where we can tie up to the quay ready for our shore excurions.

Rimitara: This is a small uplifted limestone (Makatea) island with little European cultural influence. They are blessed with a healthy environment, including the continued survival of the small endemic parrot the "Kura" or Rimitara Lorikeet. Getting ahore can be difficult at times.

Maria Atoll: An uninhabited atoll - it was once a thriving coconut plantation, with homestead, water tanks etc. Crossing the reef on the lee side of the atoll will require good weather conditions, but once we are ashore the large central lagoon provides easy access to all parts of the island. Healthy populations of many seabird species can be found here, especially tropicbirds, frigate birds, noddies and boobies.

Mangaia Island: The southern most of the Cook Islands is well worth a visit. It has population of about 600 very friendly locals - who all speak english and have lots of fun activities lines up for the enthusiastic adventure tourist. Geologically speaking Mangaia is probably the oldest island in the Pacific and is blessed with the largest cave systems in the South Pacific. There are many narrow forestry roads crisscrossing the uninhabited interior of the island - to explore these on the back of a local pickup truck is well worth the effort. Bring you camera for sure and hang on tight.

Rarotonga: Now that we are back in civilization head for some of the best restaurants in the world - perhaps a quick trip to Aitutaki is in order as well - after all, you are so close to that famous lagoon, why not check out what all the fuss is about.

Diving: All of the islands on this expedition have excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. We provide all snorkeling and scuba equipment without additional charge.