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King penguins, Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island Cruises, Tours & Trips

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When you board your expedition cruise ship bound for the Southern Ocean, excitement awaits en route to the renowned white continent of Antarctica, including a stop at Macquarie Island. This wildlife paradise south of Australia is bursting with thousands of elephant, leopard, and fur seals and millions of penguins. On top of this, there is an Australian base there that is staffed year-round with a small number of people. You can easily spend two days exploring all that Macquarie Island has to offer, including the 200,000-strong King Penguin population, and other penguins populations like gentoos, rockhoppers, and royals. If you can believe it, there are a stunning 72 species of seabirds that call this island home. Contact us when you're ready to start planning your Antarctica adventure to see Macquarie Island!
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Top 10 Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruises for 2025-2026

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Shot of Paradise Bay, Antarctica, complete with many ice formations in the water.

Ross Sea Odyssey

26 Days from $35,495
Embark on a 26-day Ross Sea Odyssey from Hobart to Dunedin aboard the Greg Mortimer. Explore remote regions, starting with yellow-eyed penguins in subantarctic forests and royal albatross in mega herb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle, cruise pack ice, and spot emperor penguins, orcas, and snow petrels.
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Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

17 Days from $15,250
Embark on the Heritage Adventurer for a 17-day New Zealand birding cruise. Visit remote islands that are home to some of the world's most diverse and distinctive bird species. To get a closer look at these islands and their fauna, take Zodiac excursions and hike the islands in search of exotic wildlife. 
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Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

34 Days from $45,895
Embark on a 34-day expedition from Dunedin to Ushuaia aboard the Greg Mortimer, exploring the wonders of Antarctica. Follow in the footsteps of historic explorers while experiencing the stunning landscapes and untouched wilderness of the 7th continent.
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In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

28 Days from $31,500
Visit the subantarctic islands of Snares, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell, in the unique Southern Ocean during your 28-day Antarctica expedition to the Ross Sea. Aboard the Heritage Adventurer, spot penguins, seabirds, seals, and whales as you explore via Zodiacs and on wildlife walks.
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Snares Penguin on The Snares Island

Subantarctic Discovery

15 Days from $15,295
Join a 15-day Subantarctic Discovery Expedition Cruise roundtrip from Dunedin, New Zealand aboard the Douglas Mawson. Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Subantarctic Islands, Stewart and Ulva Islands, Fiordland, Campbell Island and Auckland Islands. Discover rugged beauty and wildlife, including brown kiwi and flightless weka.
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Sea lion nestled in the seaweed.

Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: New Zealand and Australia's Subantarctic Islands

12 Days from $9,990
Take a 12-day wildlife trip on Heritage Adventurer through New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands: the Snares, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell. These islands' high biodiversity provides enough opportunities to observe and photograph unique Subantarctic flora and wildlife. Expert naturalists aboard the ship provide a wealth of information.
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Emperor penguins in Antarctica

Mawson’s Antarctica

24 Days from $30,595
Join this 24-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson, tracing Sir Douglas Mawson's historic journey through Antarctica's breathtaking scenery. Encounter diverse wildlife, penguins, and albatrosses while exploring remote landscapes and discovering Mawson's legendary base.
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Aerial view of pack ice in Ross Sea, Antarctica

Ross Sea Odyssey

25 Days from $31,495
Join a 25-day cruise aboard the Douglas Mawson to explore the Ross Sea, where you can see yellow-eyed penguins and nesting albatrosses. Cross the Antarctic Circle to encounter emperor penguins and majestic glaciers at the Ross Ice Shelf, experiencing the raw beauty of this remote frontier.
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Ross Sea Antarctica

Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

34 Days from $42,495
Join this 34-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson to explore the subantarctic islands and the Ross Sea, starting in Dunedin. Experience penguins, albatrosses, and glaciers while crossing the Antarctic Circle, concluding your adventure in Ushuaia.
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Beautiful port of Ushuaia, Argentina

Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents

31 Days from $69,000
Embark on a 31-day Antarctic adventure aboard Le Commandant Charcot, tracing the footsteps of legendary explorers. Experience dreamlike landscapes and abundant wildlife, including penguins and whales. Explore iconic sites like Marie Byrd Land and Ross Sea before returning via Macquarie Island.
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3 Best Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast $58,990 25 Dec 13, 2025 Embark on a 25-day cruise from Queenstown to Hobart aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Explore Antarctica's remote and captivating landscape, following in the footsteps of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. Navigate wild realms and experience the unpredictability.
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Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife $68,190 24 Jan 06, 2026 Embark on a 24-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, journeying from Hobart to Dunedin to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter magnificent wildlife, from whales and orcas to penguins and seals, amidst the awe-inspiring icebergs and glaciers that have captivated explorers like Shackleton and Scott for generations.
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Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife $57,790 24 Jan 29, 2026 Embark on a 24-day cruise to and from Dunedin aboard the Scenic Eclipse II to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter magnificent wildlife, from whales and orcas to penguins and seals, amidst the awe-inspiring icebergs and glaciers that have captivated explorers like Shackleton and Scott for generations.
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Antarctica Wildlife & Polar Travel Guide

Macquarie Island Travel Guide

Touring the icy water of Antarctica on an expedition cruise

Exploring Macquarie Island

An Antarctica cruise may include an excursion through the Indian Ocean to Macquarie Island, which lies about half way between Antarctica and Australia.
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A colony of king penguins on South Georgia

South Georgia Islands

Here is a brief summary and details about the landscape and wildlife of the South Georgia Islands.
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