Galapagos of the Southern Ocean

Day 1 Invercargill

Passengers should make their way to the Kelvin Hotel in the central city, your meeting point in Invercargill. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of your expedition team. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Depart Port of Bluff

Take breakfast at your leisure in the hotel restaurant before transferring to the port to embark the Spirit of Enderby. You will have the opportunity to settle into your cabin and familarize yourself with the ship; also take the opportunity to conduct a number of compulsory briefings and drills. You are invited to join the expedition team and Captain on the Bridge as you set the course to The Snares. Your adventure begins.

Day 3 The Snares Islands

The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard for passing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a smattering of rocky islets, they are uninhabited and highly protected.

North East Island is the largest of The Snares and, staggeringly, this one island is home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles together. Arrive early in the morning and cruise the rugged coastline by Zodiac if weather and sea conditions are suitable (landings are not permitted) along the sheltered eastern side. In sheltered bays, you should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguins, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds. Cape Pigeons, Antarctic Terns, White-fronted Terns and Redbilled Gulls also abound. There are an estimated six million Sooty Shearwaters nesting on The Snares and Buller’s Albatross breed here from early January onwards. Cape Petrel can be identified on the imposing cliffs and overhead.

Day 4 Auckland Islands - Enderby Island

Named for the same distinguished shipping family as your own vessel and one of the most beautiful islands in the group, this is a great birding location and a chance to see everything from the famous Southern Royal Albatross and Northern Giant Petrel to parakeets, bellbirds and the endemic shag, teal and snipe. Sandy Bay is one of three breeding grounds on the Auckland Islands for the rare Hooker’s Sea Lion.

Day 5 Auckland Islands - Carnley Harbour

These islands have witnessed many a shipwreck in days gone by; loaded in human history, they harbour tales of castaways, bullion and coastwatchers through to today’s scientific visitors. Land in Carnley Harbour to visit the Shy Mollymawk colony and perhaps spot the beautiful Wandering Albatross spreading its huge wingspan above the cliffs. With an island named Disappointment and a mountain called the Tower of Babel this unique archipelago has to be seen to be believed.

Day 6 At Sea

As you make your way through an area known as the roaring ‘40s have a series of video-supported informal lectures on the biology and history of the Subantarctic Islands and the tumultuous Southern Ocean. Learn more about the flora and fauna as you prepare for your arrival at Macquaire Island.

En route to Macquarie Island, observe pelagic species at your ease. Great birding opportunities may include the Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Blackbrowed Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Little Shearwater. Endeavour to spot the Fairy Prion, Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion – never an easy task – but you should get some great views.

Other species to be on the lookout for include the Soft-plumaged Petrel, Mottled Petrel, Whiteheaded Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.

Days 7-8 Macquarie Island

Spend two days exploring small pockets of this remote and relatively young island, the only
place on earth where mid-ocean crustal rocks are exposed at the surface due to the collision of the Australian and Pacific Plates. It is also the only place in the world where the beautiful Royal Penguin breeds.

This remote outpost in the middle of the roaring westerly winds supports a breathtaking concentration of wildlife. You will never forget your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks, territorial disputes, petty pilfering and courtship displays.

Also cruise by a huge King Penguin colony in Lusitania Bay by Zodiac. Here the sheer numbers are to be seen to be believed and provide excellent photo opportunities of these majestic penguins. Two other species of penguin also breed on the island – Gentoo and Rockhopper.

A landing is planned for the ANARE base and Sandy Bay where you will meet with scientists and Park Rangers based here. Hundreds of Elephant Seals lolling on the beaches and dunes will provide ample photo opportunities. Once your exploration of Macquarie Island is concluded, depart for Campbell Island.

Day 9 At Sea

The Subantarctic Convergence Zone is traditionally very close to the area through which you will sail today. This invisible line at the confluence of warmer and cooler waters can create an abundance of birdlife including five or six kinds of albatross and petrel. Join the Bridge and keep a keen lookout for them and for whales. Relax in the ship’s bar and catch up with some reading in the library. If you have brought your laptop with you there will be time to download and edit photos.

Today there will be a lecture on Campbell Island as you prepare for your arrival tomorrow.

Days 10-11 Campbell Island

New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory, the Campbell group lies approximately 660 kilometres south of Bluff. Spend two days exploring Campbell Island, the main island of the group and take in the panorama of rocky islets and sea stacks; once the lonely preserve of settlers and seal hunters and now returned to nature. Anchoring in Perseverance Harbour, a long inlet cutting into the undulating landscape your explorations start from close by. Enjoy an easy walk to the nesting site of the Southern Royal Albatross at Col Lyall or walk across the hills to North West Bay and see the strange and beautiful megaherbs growing on the hills, huge pink and yellow wild flowers that have adapted to the harsh conditions. The regeneration of the megaherbs since the removal of the sheep in the 1970s and ‘80s has been very successful, so expect to see developing buds and displays of Bulbinella rossi plus other flowering endemic megaherbs which are huge contributors to the character of the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.

Seek out Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Campbell Island Shag, Southern Skua, Red-billed Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic Tern, Redpoll, Dunnock and New Zealand Pipit. The successful eradication of rats has resulted in an encouraging increase in the small bird numbers on the island. On the shoreline you are likely to encounter young male sea lions testing their strength. Campbell Island is a truly magnificent wildlife experience.

Day 12 At Sea

At sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and reflect on an amazing experience. This is a good opportunity to download and edit any remaining photos while they are fresh in your mind and you have the experience of your expedition team on board for questions. Recap the highlights of your expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as you complete the last few miles of your journey.

Day 13 Invercargill

Arrive at the Port of Bluff early in the morning. After breakfast, customs formalities and a last minute opportunity to bid farewell to your expedition team you disembark and board your complimentary coach transfer to downtown Invercargill or the local airport. Your adventure ends but memories will last long beyond this.