Join the crew of the Spirit of Enderby on this one of a kind 11-day cruise to the subantarctic islands! Enjoy a rare opportunity to join celebrated wildlife photographer Tui De Roy on an expedition to extensively photograph New Zealand’s ‘forgotten islands’. Auckland, Campbell and The Snares Islands are amongst the most remarkable wildlife reserves in the Southern Ocean. Designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, afforded the highest protection of any of the nature reserves in New Zealand, they remain remote, uninhabited and highly protected by the New Zealand Department of Conservation that strictly limits the number of people allowed to land there each year.
On this photography focused voyage, extra time will be spent on these islands in the pursuit of the very best New Zealand natural history images. With a seasoned artist of Tui’s Subantarctic experience and calibre offering her expertise and the right mix of weather and light, the chances are high that the expedition will yield a few 2016 NZ Geographic Photographer of the year entries and who knows maybe even a winner.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
We transfer you to the Port of Bluff where the staff welcome you on board the Spirit of Enderby and as you settle into your cabin, our adventure begins.
Departing from the Port of Bluff, our first shot at world class wildlife photos should be The Snares, a jagged outcrop of rocks in the Roaring 40’s. These are honey-combed with seabird burrows, home to over a million Sooty Shearwaters (known locally as ‘Mutton Birds’) as well as the Snares Crested Penguin, Fernbird and Tomtit, all of which are endemic. We’ll hope for soft light and calm seas as we take to the Zodiacs to photograph the tree daisy forest along the dramatic Snares’ coastline.
We plan to maximise the daylight hours ashore over two full days at Port Ross in the Auckland Islands amongst Enderby Island’s endemic wildlife. A number of fascinating photographic sites beckon at our next anchorage scheduled for Carnley Harbour in the south of the Auckland Islands. These include a Shy Albatross colony, abandoned Coastwatcher’s huts, a shipwreck and castaway depots. The hunt for good light and forgiving weather windows will dictate our programme.
Our southernmost stop at Campbell Island offers highly photogenic flowering fields of ‘megaherbs’. An extra day here also offers the world’s best opportunity to capture images of nesting Southern Royal Albatross and hopefully we can catch the endemic Campbell Island Flightless Teal and Snipe in a frame or two as well.
At sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and reflect on an amazing experience. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we complete the last few miles of our journey.
Day 11: Invercargill
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
We 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 our complimentary coach transfer to downtown Invercargill or Invercargill Airport.
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Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
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Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Notes
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- 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.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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