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New Zealand's remotest island.

Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer
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The Spirit of Enderby is a one-of-a-kind journey to a remote region of New Zealand's wilderness. Visit Fiordland's lonely ice-carved mountains, beautiful forests, and flowing fiords; this incredible place inspires your desire to travel responsibly. Travel alone, away from the crowds, through the tranquil waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island, on the search for marine life, elusive birds, and breathtaking landscapes. These islands and regions represent a priceless ecosystem and serve as a showcase for the work that the New Zealand Government's Department of Conservation has done and continues to do to protect, preserve, and reintroduce New Zealand's incredible wildlife. This is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to remote parts of New Zealand.
Unique landscape of Auckland Islands.Travelers photographing the subantarctic landscape.Enjoy the abundant variety of birds.Penguins rushing up the rocky shore.Tree cover on the islands of New Zealand.New Zealand's remotest island.
Highlights
  • Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory.
  • Visit Carnley Harbor a spectacular harbor rich in human history.
  • Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and Victoria Passage.
  • Admire Stewart Island's stunning scenery of untouched bushland.
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Queenstown

  • 1 Dinner
Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will spend the first night of the expedition. 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 our expedition team.

Day 2: Port of Bluff | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Meet at an Invercargill central city hotel and be transferred to the Port of Bluff for embarkation. The captain and expedition team are waiting to greet you on arrival at the ship. Explore the Spirit of Enderby and join the captain on the bridge or fellow travelers on deck as you set sail.

Day 3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
As you make your way through the Southern Ocean you can expect some of the best pelagic birding on this leg of the journey with great views during the crossing which may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross and Little Shearwater.

Day 4: Campbell Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. With a number of options which enables you to explore the island including an extended walk to Northwest Bay. There is also an easier walk to the Col Lyall Saddle. All of these options allow you the opportunity and time to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross which nest here in large numbers. Visit areas of the island which contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renowned. Birds you may see include Teal, Snipe, Rockhopper Penguins and Antarctic Tern.

Day 5: Auckland Islands | Carnley Harbor

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This very large sheltered harbor is rich in human history, arrive mid-morning entering the harbor through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged tussock covered hills. Your activities here today are totally weather dependent. If the weather is fine there is an opportunity to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. Above the colony, see Gibson’s Wandering Albatross breeding. Alternatively, there is an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour and Victoria Passage. Visit Camp Cove, the Tagua Bay coastwatcher’s station, and lookout, or Epigwatt where the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864 can be seen.

Day 6: Auckland Islands | Enderby Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group, this northernmost island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. Land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands, for the Hookers or New Zealand Sea Lion. During your day ashore there are several walking options, and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the wildlife. Birds that you might encounter include Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.

Day 7: The Snares | North East Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruising along the sheltered eastern side of the main island we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit, and Fernbirds.

Day 8: Stewart Island | Paterson Inlet/Ulva Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
New Zealand’s third island is a wonderfully tranquil place; the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. Explore Ulva Island which is rich in history and wildlife, being a predator-free island from 1997 the birdsong and wildlife is some of the best. In Paterson Inlet, you have time at Boulder Bay and West End Beach, or just enjoy some time around Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove. Wildlife you may get to see while walking the tracks include Stewart Island Robin, Stewart Island Weka, South Island Kaka, Kereru (wood pigeon), Mohua (yellowhead), Red Crowned Parakeet, Fantail, Bellbird, and Tui. There are many more species that may also be seen. In the afternoon visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay.

Day 9-11: Fiordland

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant in wildlife. Captain Cook and his crew landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, the first Europeans to visit Fiordland, spending five weeks in Dusky Sound, historically this region is very important and shaped the future of New Zealand. From the middle of the 19th Century, this unexplored interior Fiordland coastline attracted the attention of those in search of hidden greenstone or New Zealand jade. Fiordland’s West Coast is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand’s mainland, its isolation has been beneficial because its beauty remains unspoiled and its historic sites undisturbed. Waterfalls, streams, rivers, and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go. A rugged terrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichens, and mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins, and Little Penguins are all resident in the fiords; during your time here look out for them. Your schedule gives you the flexibility to visit as much as possible; areas to visit during our time in Fiordland include Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sounds and Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour. 

Day 12: Invercargill | Disembark

Arrive at the Port of Bluff early in the morning. After breakfast, disembark and board your complimentary coach transfer to either a central city point or to the airport.

During your voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader is going to keep you fully informed. Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at The Snares.

Ship/Hotel

Heritage Adventurer

Dining area
Heritage Adventurer Restaurant

Dates & Prices

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Deals

Kids Save 70%
Special offer: Kids save 70% when booking with a full fare paying adult on selected departures. This offer is valid for new bookings only and is subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to Dec 20, 2023 departure

Special Offer
Book now and save 15% on Worsley and 20% on Heritage Suites on selected departures. This offer is valid for new bookings only and is subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to Dec 20, 2023 departure

Per person starting at
$8,945
Superior Triple
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Superior Triple
Superior Triple Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, two single beds, and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Main deck
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Main Deck Triple
Main Deck Triple Cabins on Deck 3 is a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, two single beds, and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Deck 4 Superior
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Deck 4 Superior
Superior Cabins on Deck 4 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Deck 5 Superior
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Deck 5 Superior
Superior Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Main deck
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Main Deck Single
Main Deck Single Cabins on Deck 3 is a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Heritage Adventurer - Superior Single
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Superior Single
Superior Single Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Worseley Suite
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Worsley Suite
Located on Deck 6, Worsley Suites are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable chaise-style lounge suite, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Heritage Suite
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Heritage Suite
Located on Deck 6, Heritage Suites are an expansive 44m2 and feature large double panoramic windows, king bed, large living area with a sofa, coffee table, and chairs, and grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub, and shower, large writing desk, floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage and a flat-screen entertainment system.

Notes

- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.

TECHNICAL SPECS
Year Built: 1991
Shipyard: Rauma, Finland
Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4
Accommodation: 140 guests
Length: 124 metres
Beam: 18 metres
Draft: 4.97 metres
Gross Tonnage : 8,378gt
Engines: 3,940 horsepower (x2)
Maximum Speed: 15 knots
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range: 8,600 nautical miles
Zodiacs: 14
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 11 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Pre- & Post- Cruise Transfers
  • Complimentary boot rental is available. However, due to the limited supply of boots available aboard the ship, it is recommended that you bring your own rubber boots for best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available.
  • House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast)
  • All expedition shore excursions
  • Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
  • Local payment
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Required Visas if applicable
  • Laundry 

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