Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific: Subantarctic Islands

Arrive at the designated hotel in Invercargill for the first night of the expedition, or take the 3:00 pm or 6:00 pm transfer from the assigned Queenstown meeting point to Invercargill. In the evening, join a casual dinner at the hotel to connect with fellow travelers and members of the expedition team.

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have the morning free to explore Queenstown before returning to the hotel for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. You'll have time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship; you'll also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as you set your course to Campbell Island and your adventure begins. You'll sail past Ruapuke Island, formerly a local Maori stronghold supporting a population of over 200 people. You'll also be able to see Stewart Island. Despite appearing quite small on most maps it is really quite large and has a 700-kilometer coastline. Seabirds that you may encounter at this early point in the voyage include albatross, petrels, cormorants, gulls, and Little Blue Penguins.

As you make your way through the Southern Ocean you take the opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna as you prepare for your arrival at Campbell Island. En route, there are great birding opportunities which may include the Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Little Shearwater. There should be plenty of petrels and again the hard to identify prion species. You can expect some of the best pelagic birding on this leg of the journey from Bluff to Campbell Island with great views during the crossing.

 Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. A number of options enable 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. You also visit areas of the island that contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renowned.

In the south of the archipelago, there is a very large sheltered harbor rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, Coastwatchers, and, of course, scientific parties. The plan is to arrive mid-morning entering the harbor through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and climb there be an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour, and Victoria Passage. Other options include the Tagua Bay Coastwatcher’s hut and lookout which was occupied during the Second World War. You could visit Epigwatt and the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864. Later in the evening, you'll sail up the eastern coast, making your way to Port Ross in preparation for your landing at Enderby Island.

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. The island is home to the Hooker’s, or New Zealand, sea lion which breeds on Sandy Bay beach where your crew plans to land. This animal is the rarest sea lion in the world. A boardwalk traverses the island to the dramatic western cliffs, from there, you follow the coast and circumnavigate the island. Birds that you are likely to encounter include the following species: Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin, and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. There is also a very good chance of seeing the Subantarctic Snipe. On Derry Castle Reef you'll look for migratory waders which could include Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, and possibly vagrants.
 

The largest of this group of islands is North East Island, a nature reserve of international importance and home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles put together. Cruise the jagged coastline by Zodiac, which allows you to see some of the features of the island. In the sheltered bays, you should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit, and Fernbirds.

Spend the morning exploring Stewart and Ulva Islands. Rich in history and wildlife, Ulva Island has been predator-free since 1997 and its bird song and wildlife is some of the best in New Zealand. Say your farewells be transferred to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airport. In case of unexpected delays, you are asked not to book any onward travel from Invercargill before 3 pm or before 6 pm from Queenstown.

Note: 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 keeps 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.