Having been wrecked on a desert island, the crew of His Majesty's frigate "Diana", led by Captain Jack Aubrey, does not lose heart and builds a schooner from the wreckage in order to get to nearby Batavia. However, an attack by Malay pirates deprives them of hope for a quick rescue. Only the curiosity and diplomatic skills of Dr. Maturin helped them get off the island.

Having received a sloop for temporary use, Captain Aubrey continues to search for his good old “Surprise”, which should be waiting for them in these waters under the command of Tom Pullings, at the same time tracking down the French frigate Corneli. Having won another victory over the French, Jack takes command of the Surprise and sets off for South America, stopping at New South Wales along the way. However, the local inhabitants and local fauna have a far-reaching and detrimental influence on the entire expedition...