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New Zealand Small Ship Cruises

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Experience the incredible beauty of New Zealand's Subantarctic islands with Adventure Life's 10 small ship cruises for 2025. Join us on a cruise journey through the Albatross Latitudes, exploring the stunning Dusky and Doubtful Sounds, Subantarctic islands, and Chatham Islands. Delve into the heart of the islands' vibrant heritage and breathtaking landscapes, with activities like village visits, wildlife viewing, and hiking through fields of mega herbs. Uncover the rich biodiversity, spot rare birds, and admire the unique flora and fauna guided by our expert expedition team. Embrace the spirit of exploration and discovery in this remote and pristine corner of the world. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of New Zealand's Subantarctic islands - contact one of Adventure Life's tour specialists for help planning your next seamless trip.
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    • The Snares
Snares Penguin on The Snares Island
$15,295
Savings
EXPLORE

Subantarctic Discovery

Roundtrip Dunedin - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Douglas Mawson
  • Cross the Drake Passage
  • Explore Antarctic wildlife
  • Explore Antarctic Peninsula
  • Attend lectures
Starts / Ends:
Dunedin / Dunedin
Activities:
Adventure Options, Photography Seminars, Small Ship Cruises, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 15-day Subantarctic Discovery Expedition Cruise roundtrip Dunedin, New Zealand aboard Douglas Mawson to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Discover the rugged beauty and rich wildlife of Stewart and Ulva Islands. Observe endemic …
Cruise Details
0
New Zealand's remotest island.
$9,500
Savings
EXPLORE

Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

12 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Campbell Island
  • Visit Carnley Harbor
  • Zodiac cruise along Adams Island
  • Admire Stewart Island's beauty
Starts / Ends:
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
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, …
Cruise Details
0
$10,725
EXPLORE

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

Hobart - Queenstown - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Macquarie Island
  • Venture on Zodiac excursions
  • View a vast array of endemic birds
  • Appreciate the rich biodiversity
  • Discover Campbell Island
Starts / Ends:
Hobart / Queenstown
Activities:
Adventure Options, Small Ship Cruises, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on this 13-day cruise aboard the Heritage Adventurer and discover breathtaking destinations with a team of highly knowledgeable and passionate experts. This expedition is an exceptional opportunity to explore the Southern Ocean ecosystem, which is both educational and inspiring. The …
Cruise Details
0
Queenstown, New Zealand
$5,850
EXPLORE

Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific: Subantarctic Islands

8 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Discover remote New Zealand
  • Hike through windswept Rata forests
  • Visit abandoned WWII huts
  • Explore amazing wildlife reserves
  • Witness flowering megaherbs
Starts / Ends:
Queenstown / Invercargill
Activities:
Adventure Options, Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
You won't find them featured in a travel brochure, you won't find them in most guidebooks, you're unlikely to know anybody who has visited, and they don't even appear on some South Pacific maps - these are the 'forgotten islands'. Despite their modest profile, they are some …
Cruise Details
0
$15,250
EXPLORE

Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

17 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit the best islands for birding
  • See the Albatross Latitudes
  • Marvel at diverse seabird colonies
  • Learn about nature and history
Starts / Ends:
Queenstown / Queenstown
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, and the Chatham Islands are only a few of the names. They are a delight to 'Birders.' Except for the Chathams, these islands are probably more isolated than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700s and early 1800s and …
Cruise Details
0
Sea lion nestled in the seaweed.
$9,990
EXPLORE

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

12 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Macquarie Island
  • Venture on Zodiac excursions
  • View a vast array of endemic birds
  • Appreciate the rich biodiversity
  • Enjoy additional discovery by kayak
Starts / Ends:
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activities:
Adventure Options, Small Ship Cruises, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Set sail on one of the most inspirational and educational expeditions into the Southern Ocean ecosystem that one may undertake around the globe. The Subantarctic Islands, located south of New Zealand, have long been recognized for their extraordinary biodiversity. They are UNESCO World Heritage …
Cruise Details
0
Coastal beauty of Dunedin
$30,250
EXPLORE

Southern Odyssey

Auckland to Dunedin - 20 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Orion
  • See New Zealand’s cultural riches
  • Explore Fiordlands National Park
  • Watch vibrant wildlife
  • Spot unique species
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Dunedin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Navigate New Zealand’s verdant coastlines to encounter pristine beaches, quiet coves, and waters filled with whales, dolphins, and seals. The soaring peaks and countless waterfalls of the country’s dazzling fjords are at their jaw-dropping best in Fiordlands National Park, where …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the stunning Milford Sound
$11,480
EXPLORE

Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

Dunedin - Dunedin - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Explore the Snares Islands
  • Enjoy a guided walk on Ulva Island
  • View fur seals, sea lions, & seals
  • See Fiordland Crested penguins
Starts / Ends:
Dunedin / Dunedin
Activities:
Hiking, Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Le Soleal hosts this 15-day New Zealand Subantarctic Islands cruise expedition that immerses you in an incredible world of wildlife and introduces you to the pristine grandeur of New Zealand's Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. This journey begins in Dunedin, New Zealand's Edinburgh, a …
Cruise Details
0
Breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica
$19,260
EXPLORE

Scott & Shackleton's Antarctica - Ross Sea Expedition

Dunedin Roundtrip - 22 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Spot incredible wildlife
  • Explore unique flora and fauna
  • Follow the paths of explorers
  • Marvel at pristine ice formations
Starts / Ends:
Dunedin / Dunedin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
An exciting voyage awaits those who dare to set foot in the rarely-visited Ross Sea and follow in the footsteps of legendary polar explorers. Set sail from Dunedin, New Zealand, and head south toward Antarctica to cruise the Ross Sea to learn about this interesting region, its history, and its …
Cruise Details
0
$31,500
EXPLORE

In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

28 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit the Ross Sea region
  • Experience nature on a grand scale
  • View relics of early exploration
  • Observe penguins, seals, and whales
  • Enjoy shore landings on islands
Starts / Ends:
Port of Bluff / Port of Bluff
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the most fascinating places in the continent's human history. With shipping restricted by impenetrable pack ice to just two brief months each austral summer, few people have ever visited this strange …
Cruise Details
0
1-10 of 10 Results
TrustScore 4.8 | 387 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
total score
Based on 387 reviews on
review score
4 hours ago
We have used AL for decades now to plan trips. Kassandra has been with us from the start and has never disappointed. She knows our family and our quirks and is always willing to fit the trip to us. This time we made her work for the booking because of family member schedules. It has all come together for a great Christmas gift for many families.
Kris Rowe
review score
8 hours ago
Shannon could not have been more helpful in arranging our recent booking with Uncruise. Very knowledgeable, professional and pleasant to work with. I highly recommend Adventure Life.
Daniel
review score
19 hours ago
We keep coming back to Adventure-Life for custom tailored, out of the ordinary, non-touristy trips and they deliver the best every time. The trip planners know how to put together just what we are looking for.
Judith P. NYC
review score
1 day ago
Kassandra is knowledgeable, efficient and very pleasant to work with.
Fred Weeman
review score
3 days ago
The booking was processed efficiently and quickly. We got what we wanted.
Doug Laporte

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