He took part in voyages of exploration in the Pacific Ocean under Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, looking for the lost expedition of Jean-François de La Pérouse.

[1] Joining the ship Résolution in 1785, Kermadec was second in command to Bruni d'Entrecasteaux on an voyage to China.

[1] In September 1791 he was chosen to command the Espérance on d'Entrecasteaux's expedition to find the lost ships of Jean-François de La Pérouse.

[1] He was discreetly buried on Poudioué, a nearby islet, to prevent the natives from tampering with the body.

[2] Several plants also bear his name, including the Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) of Tasmania,[1] the Proteaceae genus Kermadecia of New Caledonia, and the tree Metrosideros kermadecensis of the Kermadec Islands.