Spirit of Enderby: Macquarie Island Expedition - Galapagos of the Southern Ocean

Home » Spirit of Enderby: Macquarie Island Expedition – Galapagos of the Southern Ocean

from US$7000

Venture to one of the most inspirational journeys into the Southern Ocean ecosystem and visit the natural sites that have been designated as the most significant natural habitats on the planet. You'll encounter a vast array of wildlife including albatross, penguins, petrels, shearwaters and marine mammals like sea lions, fur seals and elephant seals. Be sure to have your camera ready as you'll get plenty of opportunity to explore, photograph and understand these wonderful places in the company of our knowledgeable and passionate guides

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy plenty of opportunities for photo-taking, surrounded by beautiful scenery
- Meeting with wildlife and an arrange of species, flora and fauna
- Many mini excursions to be undertaken during the expedition
- Explore on foot to the nesting site of the Southern Royal Albatross
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Port of Bluff, Invercargill or Dunedin*
- Day 2: Port of Bluff
- Day 3: The Snares – North East Island
- Day 4: Auckland Islands – Enderby Island
- Day 5: Auckland Islands – Carnley Harbour
- Day 6: At Sea
- Days 7 to 8: Macquarie Island
- Day 9: At Sea
- Days 10 to 11: Campbell Island – Perseverance Harbour
- Day 12: At Sea
- Day 13: Port of Bluff, Invercargill
Port Details*:
Departure 29 November 2018 - Embark: Dunedin, Disembark: Bluff
Departure 22 December 2018 - Embark: Bluff, Disembark: Bluff
Departure 01 December 2019 - Embark: Dunedin, Disembark: Bluff
Departure 22 December 2019 - Embark: Bluff, Disembark: Bluff
Day 1: Invercargill
Meet your fellow voyagers and expedition staff for an informal get-together over dinner at the hotel, where you will stay overnight.

*Please note the departure 29 November 2018 and 01 December 2019 will begin with an overnight stay in Dunedin and embarking in Otago Harbour. Please call us for full itinerary.

Day 2: Port of Bluff
We transfer you to the Port of Bluff where the staff welcome you on board the Spirit of Enderby and as you settle into your cabin, our adventure begins.

Day 3: The Snares – North East Island
North East Island is the largest of The Snares and staggeringly, this one island is claimed by some to be home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles together. Zodiac cruising the rugged coastline we learn how the islands got their name and encounter Snares Crested Penguins, Cape Petrel and Buller’s Albatross on the imposing cliffs. We are also likely to encounter Antarctic Terns, White-fronted Terns, Red-billed Gulls, Tomtits and Fernbirds.

Days 4: Auckland Islands - Enderby Island
Named for the same distinguished shipping family as our own vessel and one of the most beautiful islands in the group, this is a great birding location and a chance to see everything from the famous Southern Royal Albatross and Northern Giant Petrel to parakeets, Bellbirds and the endemic shag, teal and snipe. Sandy Bay is one of three breeding grounds on the Auckland Islands for the rare Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion.

Day 5: Auckland Islands - Carnley Harbour
These islands have witnessed many a shipwreck in days gone by. Loaded in human history, they harbour tales of castaways, bullion and coastwatchers through to today’s scientific visitors. Today we land in Carnley Harbour and if weather and sea conditions permit visit the Shy Mollymawk colony at South West Cape or if weather is not suitable we will select one of a number of other sites available to us.

Day 6: At Sea
As we make our way through an area known as the Furious Fifties in the tumultuous Southern Ocean, we will learn more about the flora and fauna as we prepare for our arrival at Macquarie 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, Grey-headed Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Little Shearwater. We will endeavour to spot the Fairy Prion, Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion – never an easy task – but we should get some great views. Other species to be on the lookout for include the Soft-plumaged Petrel, Mottled Petrel, White-headed Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel and the Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.

Days 7 to 8: Macquarie Island
Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder spots of the world” this is the only place in the world where the beautiful Royal Penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins, the King, Gentoo and Rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks; territorial disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens amongst the hundreds of Southern Elephant Seals lolling on the beaches and dunes. On arrival we meet with scientists and Park Rangers based here who will accompany us on all our landings.

Days 9: At Sea
We head north from Macquarie Island through waters rich in seabirds towards Campbell Island. We invite you to join the captain on the bridge, to keep a keen lookout for birds and for whales. Today there will also be briefings and lectures on Campbell Island in preparation for our visit there.

Days 10 to 11: Campbell Island - Perseverance Harbour
We spend two days exploring the island by foot taking in the panorama of rocky islets and sea stacks; once the lonely preserve of settlers and seal hunters and now returned to nature. Enjoy an easy walk to the nesting site of the Southern Royal Albatross at Col Lyall or walk across the hills to Northwest Bay and see the strange and beautiful megaherbs growing on the hills. These huge pink and yellow wild flowers have adapted well to the harsh conditions. We also seek out other wildlife such as Campbell Island Shags, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross and, on the beaches beyond, young male sea lions testing their strength.

Days 12: At Sea

At sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and reflect on an amazing experience. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we complete the last few miles of our journey.

Days 13: Invercargill
We arrive at the Port of Bluff early in the morning. After breakfast, customs formalities and a last minute opportunity to bid farewell to your expedition team, you disembark and board our complimentary coach transfer to downtown Invercargill or Invercargill Airport.
Departs - Selected dates (listed below)
Ship Cabins: Spirit of Enderby

Main Deck Triple

This category has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and wash basin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.

Main Deck cabins

This category have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, washbasin and porthole. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.

Superior cabins

This category have bunks (an upper and lower berth), wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Superior Plus cabins

This category have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.

Mini Suites

This category have a separate bedroom with a double bed and a single bed or a sofa in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. The Mini Suites have windows.

Heritage Suite

This category has a large lounge area, a separate bedroom with double bed, a single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers. There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. There are large forward and side facing windows to allow great views.

DECK PLAN: SPIRIT OF ENDERBY
SHIP INFORMATION: SPIRIT OF ENDERBY

The Spirit of Enderby is a fully ice-strengthened expedition vessel, built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research and is perfect for Expedition Travel.

She carries just 50 passengers and was refurbished in March 2013 to provide comfortable accommodation in twin share cabins approximately half of which have private facilities. All cabins have outside windows or portholes and ample storage space.

On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room. The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top NZ and Australian chefs.

The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Captain and crew.

Ship Specifications:
- Classification: Russian register KM ice class
- Year built: 1984
- Accommodation: 50 berths expedition
- Shipyard: Finland
- Main engines: power 2x1560 bhp (2x 1147 Kw)
- Register: Russia
- Maximum speed: 12 knots (2 engines),
- Cruising speed: 10 knots(one engine)
- Bunker capacity: 320 tons
What's included?
- On-board accommodation
- One pre-voyage hotel night in Invercagill or Dunedin
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- All meals during the voyage
- Leadership by experienced expedition staff
- Transfers
What's not included?
- Landing fees US$800 per person
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included