The ultimate expedition for penguin watching, pelagic enthusiasts, and those interested in island endemics, this voyage explores the very best of the Subantarctic and Chatham Islands.
This comprehensive 17-day itinerary is perfect for those interested in birds, history, and wildlife, though you don’t need to be a keen birder to enjoy this splendid expedition. Those interested in ecology, botany, geology, and photography, will revel in the delights of the Subantarctic Islands and Chatham Islands.
Visiting Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, and the Chatham Islands, this is the only voyage to include all these unique and wonderful islands. The region hosts the most diverse gathering of seabirds in the world, with more than 40 species breeding here – that’s at least 11 per cent of the world's seabird population! Ten of the world's albatross species also breed in these islands, with five of them breeding nowhere else but here.
Travel in comfort on board Heritage Adventurer, a purpose-built expedition vessel, with an onboard team of world-renowned naturalists, botanists, historians and experts. With their knowledge and expertise, you're likely to encounter an abundance of brilliant wildlife, including Snares crested penguin, Hooker's sea lion, royal penguin, red-crowned parakeet, yellow-eyed penguins and an array of seabirds. This voyage also benefits from special guest Nigel Marven, a British wildlife TV presenter, naturalist, conservationist, author and television producer. He will be travelling on board, sharing his passion for wildlife, filmmaking and adventure.
For those seeking an intimate wildlife expedition, this voyage offers wild and rugged islands, remote UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and superb opportunities to encounter unique wildlife species.
Why not consider our Ross Sea Expedition Voyage, an extended version of this itinerary which navigates the Ross Sea and visits Antarctica.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive in Queenstown
Arrive at Queenstown. This evening, meet your fellow adventurers and enjoy dinner together at the hotel.
Accommodation: Local hotel, 1-night
Day2: Transfer to Port of Bluff & embark on Heritage Adventurer
This morning, transfer to Port of Bluff to embark on your ship before it sets sail for The Snares Islands. Your adventure begins!
Accommodation: Heritage Adventurer, 15-nights
Day3: The Snares Islands
Today, enjoy a Zodiac cruise at North East Island of Snares. In the sheltered bays, you should see the endemic Snares crested penguin, Snares Island tomtit and fernbirds. Hundreds of thousands of sooty shearwaters nest on The Snares, and Buller’s albatross breed here from early January. You also have the opportunity to view the forests of large tree daisy (Olearia lyallii).
Day4: Auckland Islands
Today, the plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand sea lion, a rare member of the pinniped family. During your day ashore, there are several walking options and time to sit and enjoy the wildlife. Birds you're likely to encounter include southern royal albatross, northern giant petrel, Auckland Island shag, Auckland Island flightless teal, Auckland Island banded dotterel, Auckland Island tomtit, red-crowned parakeet and yellow-eyed penguin.
Day5: Day at sea
Spend today at sea, sailing towards Macquarie Island.
Days6-7: Macquarie Island
Explore Macquarie Island, the only place in the world where the majestic royal penguin breeds, with its distinctive yellow-orange plumes on the top of its head. Three other penguin species also breed here, the king, gentoo and rockhopper. You’ll be immersed in a tumult of chattering, chick feedings, territorial disputes, petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens amongst the hundreds of southern elephant seals lolling on the beaches and dunes.
Day8: Day at sea
Spend today at sea, sailing towards Campbell Island.
Day9: Campbell Island
Today you visit Campbell Island, exploring on foot from Perseverance Harbour. Here you can find an abandoned New Zealand meteorological station and Campbell Island shags, penguins, fur seals, Hooker’s sea lion, and southern royal albatross, which nest here in large numbers. These magnificent birds, close relations to and the same size as the wandering albatross, have the largest wingspan in the world and are very approachable, making them superb photographic subjects.
Day10: Day at sea
Spend today at sea, sailing towards the Antipodes Islands.
Day11: Antipodes Islands
Today you explore the coastline by Zodiac. You have a good chance of seeing the Antipodes parakeet here, the largest of New Zealand’s parakeet. Also look for the Reischek’s parakeet and the New Zealand Pipit. Good sightings of both erect-crested and rockhopper penguins can also be expected along the coast, where they often breed in mixed colonies.
Day12: Bounty Islands
Today you explore Bounty Islands, home to thousands of Salvin’s albatross, erect-crested penguins, fulmar prions, and the endemic Bounty Island shag - the world’s rarest. Here you're likely to cruise by Zodiac around the granite outposts, allowing more time to have a closer look at the birds which breed here.
Day13: Pyramid Rock and South East Island
There are excellent opportunities for pelagic birding today. In particular, look out for the Chatham Island petrel and even possibly the very rare Chatham Island Taiko. Endemic to the Chatham Islands, this bird, also known as the Magenta Petrel, is among New Zealand’s most endangered species. It's one of the world’s rarest seabirds, with an estimated population of less than 150.
Day14: Chatham Islands
Today you visit one of the original private reserves, established by a local family on the south coast of the main island. Here there's a very good chance of seeing the endemic Chatham Island pigeon and warbler. You travel by local bus to the reserve, through developed farmland, where you undoubtedly see numerous introduced species and possibly the weka. There's also a good chance of seeing the endemic Chatham Island shag.
Days15-16: Days at sea
Cruise back to Bluff, crossing the Chatham Rise, a large, relatively shallow, submerged part of the Zealandia continent, excellent for pelagic sightings.
Day17: Disembark
After breakfast, disembark in the Port of Bluff and transfer to Invercargill or Queenstown for your onward travel arrangements.
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.
In addition to the extended voyage above, the Heritage Adventurer will also operate two shorter versions of this itinerary, one 8-day option and one 12-day option. Special guest Nigel Marven will also be on board these departures. Please contact us for further details.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 17 daysfrom £13,500 pp
Located in the South Pacific, over 800 kilometres east of New Zealand, lies the Chatham Islands. This archipelago consists of about 10 islands and of all the Antipodean Islands south of Australia and New Zealand, the Chatham Islands are the only island group to have permanent human settlement.
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Where: South Pacific
Ideal for viewing: magenta petrel, black robin, grey warbler, Chatham Islands pigeon, storm petrel
Lying like stepping stones to the Antarctic continent are the little-known Subantarctic Islands. They're home to some of the most abundant and unique wildlife on Earth, and are renowned for the diversity and large number of penguins and seabirds. They're all National Nature Reserves.
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Where: Southern Ocean
Ideal for viewing: wandering albatross, southern royal albatross, rockhopper penguin, erect-crested penguin, storm petrel
The Heritage Adventurer was purpose-built in Finland in 1991 for polar & Pacific voyages. Her impressive pedigree includes having navigated the most northern and southern regions, as well as crossing both the North-west and the North-east Passages, and we are delighted to include her to our fleet of vessels.
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