Ross Sea + NZ Sub-Antarctic Islands

Arrive at Invercargill for dinner and an overnight with fellow travellers. meet your expedition team.

In the morning, take time to visit the interesting museum in town. Transfer to the port of Bluff for an afternoon sailing.

Call at North East Island, the largest of the Snares and home to more nesting seabirds than in all of the British Isles. See Snares crested penguins, Cape petrel and Buller's albatross.

We spend the day ashore on Enderby Island which is perhaps the most beautiful of all the Subantarctic Islands. Here we find parakeets flitting above carpets of red, white and yellow wild flowers and on the beaches beyond, the rare Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion. We land in Carnley Harbour and if conditions are suitable climb to a Shy Albatross colony, otherwise we explore sites within the harbour.

Enjoy lectures and watch for changing birdlife as you cross the Sub-Antarctic Convergence Zone.

Macquarie Island supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Hemisphere with millions of breeding penguins, large groups of Elephant Seals and other wildlife inhabiting the sandy beaches and the tussock grass.

Drifting icebergs with vivid colours announce your arrival into the Antarctic. Cross the Antarctic Circle.

Due to the unpredictable nature of ice and weather conditions, a day-by-day itinerary in the Ross Sea is not possible, but we take advantage of every opportunity to make landings. Our programme emphasises wildlife viewing, key scientific bases and historic sites, as well as the spectacular scenery. Visit the huts of Scott, Shackleton and other explorers as well as modern research stations. See myriad birds and extensive widlife, including penguin rookeries with over 1,000,000 birds.

Enjoy pelagic bird and whale watching en-route to Campbell Island.

Transfers to city and airport