Southwest Pacific: Fiji & Samoa - August 2026
Dates: August 14-27, 2026
Leader: Max Breckenridge
E-bird
Total Species: 83 birds
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Overall Summary
Our exploration of some of the larger and more endemic-rich islands of the Southwest Pacific began in Samoa, more specifically, the island of Upolu. Our crew of familiar faces and new friends assembled in the sunny capital city of Apia on the north coast. From our base here, we ventured out to several locations to the south and mostly uphill on the slopes of the main volcanic ridge that runs east-west across Upolu. Here, there are still areas of intact forest mixed with secondary growth, open fields, and gardens. We had a highly enjoyable first full day of birding, with endemics like the endangered Mao coming thick and fast, along with more widespread Polynesian species, including the scarce Royal Parrotfinch (an endemic subspecies here). In the afternoon, we tracked down another of the scarcer endemics, the curious Samoan Triller, with its unique yellow bill and pale eye. Good numbers of Samoan Flying-foxes joined Blue-billed White Tern, Brown Noddy, and gorgeous White-tailed Tropicbirds cruising over the forests during our birding forays. This year, we had time to visit the scenic O Le Pupu-Pue National Park on the south coast of Upolu. Here, ancient lava flows meet the Pacific Ocean along dramatic cliff lines covered in humid coastal forest. We flushed one of the harder-to-see Polynesian specialties, Shy Ground-Dove, but had much better looks at a nesting colony of Bridled Terns. In the afternoon, some of us even got a bit of culture with a visit to the Robert Louis Stevenson house and museum, set among beautiful forest and gardens.
From sun-soaked Samoa, it was time to head to a rather damp Fiji. After some initial birding around Nadi, we then flew to Taveuni, where we had two sessions of birding along the slopes of Des Voeux Peak. Wet and blustery conditions made for a challenging day of birding here, and yet we still did surprisingly well, with close looks at the enigmatic Taveuni Silktail providing a particularly memorable way to end the day. A direct flight the following morning soon had us in the capital, Suva, on the main island of Viti Levu. From our base at the comfortable Grand Pacific Hotel, we explored several locations in the verdant hills and valleys to the north of the city. The first morning, we birded with local guide Vili, with one of our first sightings being the cryptic but vociferous Long-legged Thicketbird, working its way across the forest floor like a pipit with an aversion to grass. Black-throated Shrikebill was another great score that morning, and we enjoyed the break from the rain in Vili’s company before the showers set in again and we returned to Suva. That afternoon, we found a birdy stretch of road in the forests near Suva and enjoyed excellent looks at an unusually confiding Chestnut-throated Flycatcher and several Fiji Island Thrushes.
On our last day in Suva, we birded Namosi Road in the morning, among beautiful native forests with a backdrop of dramatic, mist-draped peaks. The birding was good early on, with close looks at a cute Pacific Robin, another Black-throated Shrikebill, and improved views of the remarkable male Golden Dove.
Our last destination in Fiji was the picturesque Kadavu Island, where we stayed at the lovely Papageno Resort and swapped clouds for glorious sunshine and tropical beaches! By the end of our first afternoon here, we had successfully located the four island endemics, plus a suite of other great birds. This allowed for a very relaxed and well-deserved stay, with more birding, hiking, and snorkeling enjoyed the following day. And just like that, our time in Fiji was at an end—we enjoyed a speedy charter flight across crystal-blue waters back to Nadi and finished off with a sunset dinner with local dancers performing a traditional fire show. It had been another wonderful taste of these very welcoming islands, with their unique and many spectacular birds, in the company of a fine group of well-traveled birders.
Day-by-Day Summary
August 16 - AM: Arrivals into Apia (Samoa) and transfer to hotel; PM: dinner together at hotel; night: Sheraton Hotel.
August 17 - AM: Morning birding at Malololelei Watershed Reserve and Bahai Temple; PM: afternoon birding along road to Lake Lanoto’o; night: Sheraton Hotel.
August 18 - AM: Morning birding at O Le Pupu Pue National Park and Tiapapata Art Centre; PM: afternoon birding at Malololelei Watershed Reserve and Mulinu’u Point, visit to Robert Louis Stevenson Museum; night: Sheraton Hotel.
August 19 - AM: Early morning flight from Apia (Samoa) to Nadi (Fiji), morning birding at Garden of the Sleeping Giant near Nadi; PM: afternoon flight from Nadi to Taveuni Island and transfer to hotel, afternoon birding near hotel; night: Garden Island Resort.
August 20 - AM/PM: Morning and afternoon birding in wet and windy conditions along road to Des Voeux peak with lunch back at hotel; night: Garden Island Resort.
August 21 - AM: Morning flight from Taveuni to Suva and transfer to hotel; PM: afternoon birding along FEA Tower Rd near Suva; night: Grand Pacific Hotel.
August 22 - AM: Morning birding around Navurevure with local guide Vili; PM: afternoon birding in Colo-I-Suva area; night: Grand Pacific Hotel.
August 23 - AM: Morning birding along Namosi Rd; PM: afternoon birding at Suva Point; night: Grand Pacific Hotel.
August 24 - AM: Morning flight from Suva to Kadavu Island and transfer by boat to hotel; PM: afternoon birding around hotel; night: Papageno Resort.
August 25 - AM/PM: Morning and afternoon birding around hotel, including walk to waterfall and afternoon snorkelling for some; night: Papageno Resort.
August 26 - AM: Morning birding at hotel and transfer to airport for flight from Kadavu to Nadi; PM: Nadi (at hotel); night: Wyndham Garden.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Samoan Flying-Fox
Pacific Flying-Fox
Small Indian Mongoose
Polynesian Rat
REPTILES:
Samoa Skink
Black Emo Skink
Azure-tailed Skink
Asian House Gecko
Pacific Dtella
Yellow-lipped Sea Krait