Midway Atoll - a remote heaven for seabirds An unparalleled wildlife experience Midway Atoll - The Ultimate Albatross Paradise albatrosses, frigatebirds, boobies, fairy terns, breathtaking beaches and amazing sea life Dec 13 - Dec 21
2010 Despite its notorious role in WWII, Midway Atoll, or Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is a haven for incredible numbers of rare and endangered, breeding species. An insular territory of the US, Midway is comprised of three islands, Sand, Eastern and Spit, and in 1988 was designated a National Wildlife Refuge. Today nearly 3 million individual birds breed and nest on virtually every square foot of available habitat, so don’t be surprised to wake up to a resident albatross awaiting you on your doorstep. Also on the Monument, we’ll discover the second most endangered seal –the Hawaiian monk seal, rearing their young on Midway's beaches. One also can’t forget the hundreds of threatened Green Turtles growing up to 400lbs that haul out to rest on island shores. Plus the resident pod of nearly 300 spinner dolphins will entertain you each day with an acrobatic show of antics and beauty as they frolic in the nearby waters. With snorkel gear we’ll explore a complex community of coral reef fishes and invertebrates of over 250 species flourishing in the Monument’s protected waters. On this trip we’ll also play a direct role in conservation by participating in habitat restoration and beach clean ups, as that the Monument suffers a great deal from debris drifting in from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. So, whether it’s the water, wildlife or history you seek, Papahānaumokuākea’s calling is different for each person, but one thing is for sure, Midway Atoll is certain not to disappoint. Join us on this fantastic tour to a wildlife paradise few have visited! Detailed itinerary: | Dec 13 | Honolulu/Midway |
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| | Plan on arriving to Honolulu no later than 1 pm this afternoon. However, for extra security we recommend you arrive a day early to Honolulu. Our 5-hour flight to Midway departs late afternoon aboard a private charter flight, and a light dinner will be served aboard. Once on Midway, we'll settle into our guest quarters, then gather in the Hotel Lobby for a short briefing on the rules and regulations of visiting the monument. From there we will convene in the bar for a Welcome Cocktail and introductions. Then it’s off to bed for a good nights rest. Our accommodation is comprised of renovated military barracks and offers comfortable double occupancy rooms with private baths. Tomorrow morning we'll wake up to the exciting experience of Albatross roosting right outside our cabin windows. Be sure to charge your camera batteries before going to bed! | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 14 | Sand Island |
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| | After breakfast (6:30am) we'll join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a mandatory orientation that includes an introductory tour of the island. Then we'll learn about the extensive and fascinating history of Sand Island from the 1903 Commercial Pacific Cable Company, to the Battle of Midway, to the Cold War. Time allowing before lunch, we'll arrange bicycle transportation. Lunch will be served 11:30-1:00pm. Then in the afternoon, we experience our first island-wide wildlife tour, in search of some of the numerous sea, terrestrial, and shore birds that call Midway home during the year.
(Dinner is served from 5:00-6:30pm, and sunset is around 6pm. Those interested in sunset images, will have to run back to the restaurant for a quick bite at 5, and for those who desire, we can rush back out for some incredible sunset images.)
Since today is entirely dedicated to exploration, we'll stay out well into sunset, capturing gorgeous images of the sun going down on this incredible isolated territory of the United States. We return to the bar for a Recap of the days events, and will feature a nocturnal bird watching excursion for those interested. | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 15 | Eastern Island |
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| | This morning, weather permitting, features a field trip to Eastern Island. Eastern Island is a nesting site for many seabirds not found on Sand Island. We will spend the entire morning on the island photographing and observing its unique wildlife. We return to Sand just before lunch, allowing us to run in, drop our things and quickly refresh, before gathering in the restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll have our first chance for hands on conservation efforts by working with Greg Schubert in the Biotech office. Greg will share his expertise the pros and cons of invasive species and habitat restoration on the Monument, then instruct us on a small conservation project. In the evening we return to our rooms to refresh, then meet in the restaurant for a great dinner. After dinner, we move into the bar for a recap, then if availability allows, a USFWS will join us for a presentation related to Midway activities. Otherwise, those still with some energy remaining are welcome to stay up and mingle in the bar, or simply enjoy the grounds and history of Midway. | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 16 | Lagoon Tour/Sand Island |
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| | Breakfast will be at your leisure today from 6:30-8:00am. However, for those interested, your WANT guide will be hosting an instructive sunrise photography session from 7:15-8:00am. At 8:00am, we'll head back to our rooms, grab our bathing suits, then check out our snorkel gear. Today we are planning to explore the Monument's treasures that linger below the water's surface by snorkeling at the Cargo Pier. At the Cargo Pier we'll likely see a wonderful diversity of fish, some in huge numbers, and some in large size compared to the Main Hawaiian Islands. There is little coral under the Cargo Pier, but the fish experience is well worth the trip! This will be our first chance at observing some of the 250 marine species of the Atoll, including parrots, tangs, surgeons, butterflies and Hawaiian morwong. Don't forget your underwater housing for your cameras! Once we've had our fill of the incredible underwater world of Midway's beaches, we return to our rooms for a shower and change, then lunch. The rest of the afternoon will include a guided historical maritime tour. Dinner will be at 5:30, with an opportunity for a sunset photography session by your WANT guide. At 6:30pm, we'll move into the bar for a Recap and discussion of tomorrow's activities. Depending on the outcome of our first attempt to Eastern Island, tomorrow will be our second opportunity to try again. Following Recap, please join us for an evening presentation and discussion on Midway and its historical role in WWII. | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 17 | Eastern Island |
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| | Today is our second chance for a visit to Eastern Island. Our activities will be according to weather and wildlife movements. | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 18 | Sand Island |
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| | Breakfast will be at your leisure today from 6:30-8:00am. However, for those interested, again your WANT guide will be hosting an instructive sunrise photography session from 7:15-8:00am. After this, we return to our rooms, grab our snorkel gear, then its off for a boat trip to learn about the natural history of the lagoon, and to observe the many varieties of beautiful fish that inhabit the coral reefs. Along the way, we'll also keep our eyes peeled for feeding seabirds, Monk Seals -the second most endangered seal species, Spinner Dolphins and Green Turtles. As we discovered on Thursday, not only is Midway home to incredible wildlife on land, but also home to an amazing array of marine life. Around lunchtime, we return to the restaurant for a great meal, then we'll head out with the islands' naturalist to learn about seabird and dolphin and monitoring efforts. After sunset and dinner, we'll meet in the bar for a recap. Again following recap we will offer a presentation on Midway (topic to be announced at dinner). | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 19 | Sand Island |
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| | This morning is about relaxing and spending some personal time reflecting on the Monument's wildlife and historical significance. You may enjoy this morning at your leisure, biking around the island, joining your WANT guide for a photography session, or simply relaxing. Brunch will be served from 9:00am-12:30pm. After lunch our focus will switch back to wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. Please join us on an afternoon beach debris clean up, followed by a discussion on worldwide conservation issues and projects by Wildlife and Nature Travel. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner at 5:30, feel free to dress business casual, or come as you will. After dinner we'll adjourn to our familiar seats in the bar for further discussion and recap or our incredible experiences. Our departure is late afternoon tomorrow, so feel free to stay up and enjoy the facilities. | | | Accomodation: 'Charlie Barracks' Hotel
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| Dec 20 | Midway/Honolulu |
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| | Our last day in this incredible house of nature. We'll enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then head off for one last guided excursion, then the afternoon is free for you to pack and take your last minute photos. The island also features a small souvenir shop, so you can take home a small memento. Our charter flight will depart late this evening, and arrive very early in the morning on the 21st to Honolulu. | | | Accomodation: in the air
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| Dec 21 | Honolulu/departure |
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| | This morning, sometimes in the very early hours, our charter flight will arrive at Honolulu, where our trip officially ends. We hope you enjoyed the ultimate Albatross paradise! Have a safe flight home. | | | |
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|  | Midway Atoll Trip map | Copyright © WantExpeditions |
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