THE ACAP MONTHLY MISSIVE. 1900 seabirders will sail into the Southern Ocean in support of conservation in 2028

BirdLife South Africa has today announced Flock to Marion 2028, its fifth chartered birding voyage with MSC Cruises and its third to the waters around South Africa's sub-Antarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands.  The MSC Sinfonia will depart Cape Town on 31 January 2028 and arrive in Durban on 7 February 2028, giving over 1900 birders from South Africa and around the world several days in one of the richest seabird regions on Earth.

Guests can expect:

• Seven nights at sea, with dedicated time in the waters around Marion and Prince Edward Islands
• Specialist guides on deck throughout daylight hours, plus lectures and seabird and marine mammal identification support
• A chance to see Wandering, Sooty and Light-mantled and Grey-headed Albatrosses and many other seabird species including various penguins, petrels and prions, as well as many marine mammal species.  Flock to Marion Island 2025 encountered 53 seabird species and 17 mammal species (the latter including extremely rare records)

The voyage is BirdLife South Africa's flagship fundraising and awareness initiative.  Proceeds will support the organisation's conservation work, including the Mouse-Free Marion Project, which aims to restore the ecological integrity of sub-Antarctic Marion Island by eradicating the invasive House Mice that are killing seabird chicks and adults.

"The generosity of our 2025 passengers showed what birders can achieve when they come together for a cause.  Flock to Marion 2028 is a chance to see the sub-Antarctic’s extraordinary seabirds and to help protect them at the same time.  We would love to welcome you on board," said Mark Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife South Africa.

Bookings open on 30 November 2026.  Full voyage details are available here.

Photograph by Mark Anderson

Note:  I was aboard the Flock2025 voyage, working for the Mouse-Free Marion Project.  A fantastic experience, that ended by docking in Durban on my 78th birthday.  I hope to be aboard the MSC Sinfonia for Flock 2028, sailing from Cape Town for Marion Island on the day of my 81st.  An opportunity for another onboard cake!

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 30 October 2026