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“THERE’S SOMETHING…really big in the water,” came the excited call from one of the passengers. Contrasting the deep blue of the surrounding sea, the whale’s belly appeared to radiate ultraviolet light as she rolled beneath the stern of our overloaded, decrepit charter vessel plodding slowly along as a result of torn sails. In Maori culture, the whale is a symbol of protection and a sign of safe passage over water, and with this is mind I rushed to get a glimpse of this twirling, playful creature. Scurrying past the fuel drums, stand-up paddle boards, life rafts, tires, banana bunches, crates, and coolers tied to the deck, I was enthralled by this whale, forgetting for a moment any warnings and uncertainties about the adventure that lay ahead.

We were sailing to a sparsely inhabited atoll, only 30-odd residents, with a month’s supplies and a team of seven as part of an expedition to study sea turtles. The atoll’s last research expedition occurred over a decade ago, performed by a team with a variety of marine research objectives. As with many islands in the South Pacific, transportation and weather remain paramount barriers for further research.

Palmerston is remote but not absolved of human influence, and to our surprise English is the residents’ first language. There are no stores, eateries, hotels, or hospitals. The island hadn’t seen a supply ship in over ten months and because of limited communication, we weren’t even sure they knew of our imminent arrival.

But at dusk, almost three days after leaving Rarotonga, we anchored. It was too late to navigate a dinghy through the narrow passage in the reef to the islets — or motu as they’re called locally — to get acquainted with our home for the next four weeks. Papa’a, or folks of European descent, have been welcomed on passing yachts for centuries, but it’s uncommon for a team to stay as we were planning to. We had permission, though, along with research permits, funding, transportation, a keen sense of adventure, and, most importantly, time.

First discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774 on a passing voyage, the island was named after Lord Palmerston. Almost a century later, in 1863, an English barrel maker and ship’s carpenter named William Masters annexed the island from the British government and settled on Palmerston with his two Polynesian wives. After adding a third wife to the mix, three distinct Marsters (as the name is now spelled) family lines were born, creating governance as colorful as their history.

I struggled to keep my excitement at bay as night quickly fell. The scenery was exactly what I’d imagined of a remote atoll in the South Pacific, with the moonlit glow of breaking waves misting silhouettes of densely packed palm trees on the horizon. There were no car headlights. No signs, streetlights, or flickers from airplane wings soaring above. Just a blanket of stars, a few planets, and the single light from our mast, swaying back and forth with the gentle rocking of the sea. We were floating just outside of the only true atoll in the southern Cook Islands — less than one square mile of total landmass and a vast turquoise lagoon surrounded by a ring of healthy reef. We could hardly wait to ditch our vessel and settle in.

We were here to study turtles, abolish rumors, live amongst our unique Polynesian hosts, and, most importantly, learn from our collective naiveté.

1

Aerial

Palmerston from above. Photo: Ewan Smith

2

Hawksbill

The pronounced beak gives the Hawksbill its namesake. Easily identifiable when compared to the Green turtle. This and all other photos (unless otherwise noted): Shaun Gilmour

3

Tower

The needle, a trademark spire on Rarotonga. Hikers can skillfully meander their way to the top, using a few ropes and big cajones.

Intermission

A study of sea turtles in the remote South Pacific

Photo essay: Sleeping with the fish at NOAA’s Aquarius

How to visit Pitcairn Island

4

Passage

View of Rutaki Passage on Rarotonga from the needle. Most passages in the Cooks are accessible to small fishing and diving vessels, but do no accommodate sailboats or cargo boats.

5

Green turtle

The two most common sea turtles found in Rarotonga are the Green turtle, pictured here with a rounded head, and the Hawksbill turtle, which is critically endangered.

6

Sea turtle

Silhouette of a turtle swimming to the surface for a breath. Hardshell sea turtles hold their breath for 30-40 mins and can dive down 250 meters. They sleep underwater for 8 hours.

7

Whale

The glowing belly of the beaked whale, which graced us with her presence and blessed our journey. Photo: Jason Green

8

Departure

Sailing away from Rarotonga, the most populated and mountainous island of the Cook Islands chain.

9

Out to sea

Rarotonga fades into the distance. We won't see her again for four weeks. Photo: Jason Green

Intermission

Earthquakes: More now, or are we more aware of them?

The fastest radio-controlled airplane you’ve ever seen [VID]

What it looks like to orbit Earth [VID]

10

Turtle

Swimming turtle in the Cook Islands. Due to the remote location of the Cooks, very little was known about these turtles prior to Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative's turtle project.

11

Hawksbill

Hawksbill sea turtle, resting on the bottom in Rarotonga. If Hawksbill nests are found in Palmerston, it will be the first instance of their nesting in the Cooks.

12

Sunset

Last sunset on Rarotonga before sailing into the unknown life on a remote atoll.

13

Swimming turtle

Hawksbill sea turtle swimming in Rarotonga, where the Cook Islands Turtle Project studies sea turtle behavior.

14

From within

Our vessel from land -- I imagined there was anticipation on both sides of the reef. Photo: Tina Weier

15

Quarters

Jess Cramp, Kelly Robinson, and Tina Weier make due with the cramped sleeping arrangements aboard the sailboat.