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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

All Antarctica Tours

Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

Dunedin to Port of Ushuaia
34 Days from $45,895
Embark on a 34-day expedition from Dunedin to Ushuaia aboard the Greg Mortimer for the Epic Antarctica cruise. Designed for adventurers and history lovers, follow in the footsteps of explorers like Scott and Shackleton. Sail past the Antarctic Circle, explore the Ross Sea, stunning landscapes, and the raw beauty of Antarctica’s untouched wilderness.
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A remote Chilean naval base found during an Antarctica tour

Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

New Zealand - Argentina
34 Days from $42,495
Join an epic 34-day expedition across the southern seas, following in the footsteps of legendary explorers like Scott, Ross, Amundsen, and Shackleton. Sail beyond the Antarctic Circle, uncovering wonders of the Ross Sea and exploring the Peninsula.
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Shot of Paradise Harbor, complete with many ice formations in the water.

Ross Sea Odyssey

Hobart - Dunedin
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. Discover the Ross Sea's unique ecosystem.
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Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

Queenstown to Queenstown
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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In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

Port of Bluff to Port of Bluff
28 Days from $31,500
Visit the subantarctic islands of Snares, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell, in the unique Southern Ocean en route your 28-day Antarctica expedition on the Ross Sea. Aboard Heritage Adventurer, spot penguins, seabirds, seals, and whales as you explore via zodiacs and on wildlife walks.
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Sea lion nestled in the seaweed.

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

Invercargill to Invercargill
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

Australia - New Zealand
24 Days from $30,595
Embark on a 24-day Antarctic expedition retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's historic adventure. Experience the beauty of East Antarctica, and encounter penguins, orcas, and snow petrels. Visit Cape Denison, explore Mawson's base, then journey to Dunedin, enjoying New Zealand's subantarctic islands with albatross and yellow-eyed penguins.
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Snares Penguin on The Snares Island

Subantarctic Discovery

Roundtrip Dunedin
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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Coastal beauty of Dunedin

Ross Sea Odyssey

Roundtrip New Zealand
25 Days from $31,495
Embark on a 25-day Ross Sea Odyssey Expedition Cruise aboard Douglas Mawson from Dunedin, New Zealand. Witness yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatrosses in the subantarctic, navigate through pack ice to spot emperor and Adélie penguins, orcas, and snow petrels against the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Explore the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea.
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Beautiful port of Ushuaia, Argentina

Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents

Ushuaia - Tasmania
31 Days from $49,580
Embark on a 30-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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4 Best Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip NameSaveFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic IslandsCustom Label$1247015Dec 29, 2025Set sail from Dunedin on Le Soleal for a 15-day exploration cruise to New Zealand's Fiordland and Subantarctic Islands. Explore the South West World …
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Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East CoastCustom Label$5899025Dec 13, 2025Embark on a 25-day cruise from Queenstown to Hobart aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Explore Antarctica's remote and captivating landscape, following in …
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Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & WildlifeCustom Label$6819024Jan 6, 2026Embark on a 24-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, journeying from Hobart to Dunedin to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter …
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Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & WildlifeCustom Label$5779024Jan 31, 2025Embark on a 24-day cruise to and from Dunedin aboard the Scenic Eclipse II to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter magnificent wildlife, …
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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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Macquarie Island Videos

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