Meet the crew: Expedition Guide Mike Barber

Nationality: Kiwi (New Zealand) 🇳🇿
Age: 44

Previous ships/experience sailing boats: Funded my way through university by teaching dinghy sailing and powerboating. Then in the holidays moved onto sailing yachts around Tonga and the Mediterranean as part of the lead crew for bareboat charters. More recently ships have been the platforms for me undertaking longer expeditions… both personally and professionally all over the world!

Hobby’s: Prety much all watersports, from surfing to kayaking, kitesurfing to scuba. I also love riding any one of my many bikes, often multi day bikepacking adventures or getting a helicopter to drop us off on top of a mountain for some downhill fun!

About me: I live in Christchurch, NZ. Where I can usually be found out on the water, pedaling a bike or playing in the mountains. I was brought up in the UK and have always been into the outdoors, both in my personal and professional life. Having worked as an outdoor instructor since university I never went and got a ‘real job’! So have spent my time running trips, voyages and expeditions all over the world. Ensuring I complete a few personal challenges along the way. If I’m indoors then I’m a big fan of the theatre and going to gigs, then just spending time with friends and family sharing stories about everyone’s adventures! 

1. Can you tell us your name, your role, and your guiding experience so far?

Mike Barber - Expedition Leader

I’ve been fortunate to guide on all seven continents from high mountains to ocean crossings for over twenty years now. With groups of all ages and abilities, I’ve taken people into the New Zealand bush to build backcountry huts, visit historical sights in the Ross Sea - Antarctica, teach kids in remote villages in Nepal and guide people completing research at turtle nesting sights in Africa and some of my most favourite work, taking people on whale swims and water-based expeditions to encounter wild places and unique wildlife.

2. What is the one wildlife or landscape encounter that still gives you goosebumps, even after years of guiding?

As I mentioned above, my favourite wildlife encounters have probably been with the turtles and whales on the Comoros Islands off the African coast and in among the Pacific Islands. Completing research on both turtles and whales I was woken on the beach one morning with baby turtles hatching next to me and crawling over me to get to the ocean, I didn’t dare move as they tickled me and made their way to the surf. Then, on the same project I “played” with a baby humpback whale for about an hour in the water (with only a couple of cracked ribs to show for the mazing experience).

3. What is the most important thing our guests can do to be responsible visitors to the fragile island ecosystems?

Always listen to the advice of your guides and the locals who have been living in harmony with the wildlife for years. Be respectful, remember if having an encounter that you’re in their home and you need to give them the space, time and quiet they need to move freely. Stay relaxed and enjoy the magical moments you have, leaving nothing but memories for both you and the wildlife you’re seeing.

4. What do you hope is the one thing guests take home with them after a sailing voyage from French Polynesia to the Cook Islands?

I hope everyone experiences the feeling of relaxation, dedication and love for the environment that all Pacifica people show. More than that though… I hope everyone experiences how welcoming, loving and friendly the people are among the Pacific Islands. It’s one of the most special regions in the world for experiencing the wildlife, the scenery and some of the most beautiful and kind people in the world.

5. How can a traveler best prepare themselves to see the islands through the eyes of a local?

Always be open and curious to whatever is going on the islands. Whilst always being respectful ask questions of the people you meet and be interested in all the things you see going on. Remember that mythology, religion and spirituality has helped shaped these islands and the locals on them. If you can, read some of the stories from the Pacifica culture to help understand the locals beliefs and reasons why things happen.

6. What is your favorite part of sharing these islands with the Bark EUROPA sailing family?

I love seeing people experience the wonderful bright, happy and energising culture of the Pacific islands. My favourite thing is when people relax and understand the energy of the islands, hopefully I can help guests understand and experience the special nature of the Pacific!