Kermadec Islands

The Kermadec Islands are a remote volcanic island arc in the southwest Pacific that form part of New Zealand territory. The group is ecologically important for seabirds, endemic plants and open-ocean marine habitats.

The chain is dominated by volcanic landforms and steep, rocky coasts; Raoul Island is the largest and most frequently visited by scientists and conservation teams. The islands are notable for dense seabird colonies and endemic terrestrial species on the larger islets.

European visits began in the late 18th century and the islands have since been used intermittently for lighthouses, meteorological stations and scientific work. They are administered by New Zealand and are the focus of conservation and research efforts.

The Kermadec Islands lie in the southwest Pacific roughly northeast of New Zealand’s North Island, scattered along a volcanic arc that stretches across several hundred kilometres of ocean.

• Access and protection: Access is strictly limited and typically only possible by charter or research vessels because the islands are remote and managed for conservation.

What to See#

• Raoul Island: The largest island in the group, located at the northern end of the arc and hosting the main anchorage and most of the group’s limited facilities.
• Outer islands and submarine volcanoes: A remote, uninhabited volcanic island group of several dozen islets and stacks with notable offshore submarine volcanoes and seamounts.
• Macauley, Curtis and L’Esperance islands: Smaller islands such as Macauley, Curtis and L’Esperance that form part of the volcanic arc and provide important seabird breeding habitat.

The Kermadec Islands (including Raoul Island) are remote volcanic islands in the South Pacific north‑east of New Zealand. There are no regular commercial passenger services; access is by private yacht, research or charter vessels and occasional authorised flights/operations. Travel requires significant sea transit (on the order of a thousand kilometres from New Zealand) and coordination and permits from New Zealand authorities (Department of Conservation / Maritime NZ).

• Access to the Kermadec Islands is highly restricted: plan to travel only as part of an organized expedition cruise or approved scientific visit and expect strict New Zealand biosecurity and landing rules.
• Aim for the austral summer (roughly November-April) when sea conditions are most favorable for expedition vessels; operators require pre-booking well in advance and will outline quarantine procedures to protect the islands' wildlife.