Galapagos of the Southern Ocean Tour

Package Overview

This is without doubt one of the most inspiring and informative journeys into the Southern Ocean ecosystem that one can make. Long recognised for their rich biodiversity, the Subantarctic islands lying to the south of New Zealand are World Heritage sites, afforded the highest conservation status and protection by both the Australian and New Zealand governments.

The name of this expedition conveys a sense of the astounding natural biodiversity and the importance of these islands as wildlife refuges. They lie in the cool temperate or Subantarctic zone and are home to some of the most abundant and diverse wildlife on the planet. These islands not only play an important role in the Southern Ocean ecosystem – they also have a rich human history.

Our journey takes us as far south as Macquarie Island, described as ‘one of the wonder spots of the globe’ as well as Campbell Island, the Auckland Islands and the Snares. It is a journey that will forever change your appreciation of the Southern Ocean and its wildlife. Landings at the Subantarctic Islands are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at Snares Is. Circumstances may be encountered during our voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary.

These circumstances include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed during the voyage.

Other Information
Duration

​General good health necessary. No specific fitness requirements. Clients must be in good general health to join our expeditions. The expedition is ship-based, and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join the voyage, you must be able to get up and down steps between the different ship levels and up and down the gangway to board the zodiacs for the excursions ashore.
Departure

​Please click on the Prices and Dates tab
Single Travellers
Single travellers who wish to share their cabin/hotel room should so indicate on the booking form. The published per person double occupancy fare is guaranteed in this case, whether or not a cabin mate is available.

Price Changes
We reserve the right to alter our prices should there be substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates, cost of fuel, labour or materials.

Itinerary Changes
Due to the nature of our expeditions, weather, ice or government regulations may require changes to be made to the itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain shore excursions. Every attempt will be made to adhere to the itineraries described within the limits of safety and time. The ships captain has the last word on any decision made with regard to the vessels itinerary and it is understood that such a decision will be made in the interest of safety of the vessel and of all the passengers on board. In the event of changes, passengers have no right to any refund or other compensation. Expedition fees are based on group participation. Should you choose not to take to part in any activity or make use of services provided, no refund will be made.

Payment
Although we advertise the price of this expedition in U.S. dollars we will be charging you in the equivalent amount of New Zealand dollars. We will be using the current exchange rate on the day of making the booking but as exchange rates are constantly changing we cannot guarantee that your credit card bill will come out to the exact US dollar price as advertised. Please also allow for currency conversion fees charged by your bank (usually between 1% and 3%).

Deposits
A deposit of 25% of the expedition fee is required upon booking to confirm participation. The balance of the fee is payable 90 days prior to departure date.
Cancellations:

Cancellations must be received in writing. For cancellations received more than 120 days before departure date, a full refund will be made less $US750.00 fee per person for administration/handling fee. For cancellations received within 120 days of your embarkation date, the full deposit is forfeited. The full expedition fee is forfeited if your notice of cancellation is received within 90 days of your departure date. On forwarding the deposit you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions found here.
Travel Insurance:

We strongly recommend that travellers purchase trip cancellation protection and/or travel insurance at the time of booking.

Notes: This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities. International/domestic flights, visas and travel insurance.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Dunedin

  Meet your fellow voyagers and Expeditions Staff for an informal get-together over dinner at the hotel, where you will stay overnight

• Day 2 : Port of Otago

  We transfer you to the Port of Otago 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.

• Day 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.

  • Hotspots : Location

• 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 coast watchers 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.

• Day 7 : 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.

• Day 8 : Macquarie Island

  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 our landings.

• Day 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.

• Day 10 : Campbell Island - Perserverance 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.

• Day 11 : Campbell Island - Perserverance Harbour

  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.

• Day 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.

• Day 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.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• Pre/Post cruise transfers
• One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (inc. dinner/breakfast) , all on board ship accommodation with meals and all expedition shore excursions.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Exclusions

• All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities. International/domestic flights, visas and travel insurance.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Price & Rates

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

This Tour is Offered by

Acrossnz View Profile

0 / 5

• 12 Princess Street, Christchurch, New Zealand - 567
• XXXXXX4000 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@acrossnz.com View Mail ID

About Acrossnz

Contact Agent Plan A Trip Text Me

Interested in This Tour?

• Requests are send directly to the tour operator
• We recommend to request quotes from 3 operators