Wildlife cruising around the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand, an area with some of the most spectacular land and seascapes in the world, rich in wildlife and a biodiversity 'hotspot'.

Lying to the south of New Zealand are six wild and remote island groups that make up the sub-Antarctic islands; this region is a birdwatchers paradise with the most diverse collection of seabirds on the planet. More than 40 seabird species, at least 11 percent of all the world's seabirds, breed here. Ten of the world's albatross species breed in the region, five of them nowhere else. Penguins too are special: of seven penguin species the Snares Crested, Erect Crested, and Royal Penguins are endemic. The diversity of the land birds indicates just how long these islands have been isolated - no fewer than 15 species are sub-Antarctic endemics.

This wildlife cruise visits four of the six island groups: Snares, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell, offering a great introduction and understanding of the dynamic and diverse southern ocean eco-system.

Embarking in Dunedin, your first sub-Antarctic island will be Snares: more birds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles. As landings here are not permitted you will zodiac cruise around the sheltered bays on the lookout for endemic Snares Crested Penguins. Sooty Shearwaters are pretty likely too as an estimated six million nest here!

Enderby Island, in the south of the main Auckland Islands, is the main breeding ground for the increasingly rare Hooker's Sea Lion. You may also see Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Red-crowned Parakeets. At Carnley Harbour, if you are feeling energetic you can climb up to the Southwest Cape Shy Albatross colony. Gibson's Wandering Albatross will be nesting close by amongst the tussock grass and good views are likely.

You should see vast numbers of Royal Penguins on Macquarie Island, while a zodiac cruise around Lusitania Bay will also give you great views of a huge King Penguin colony. Campbell Island is a magnificent island and you will sail into Perseverance Harbour, a sunken volcanic caldera that cuts across the island, and explore by foot. You will experience some great birding and photographic opportunities here, especially Southern Royal Albatross and the early flowering megaherbs - a spectacle to behold. Your voyage ends at the Port of Bluff in New Zealand.