27 Nov 2023

Ensnared by endemic penguins – captivated by The Snares Islands

After smooth sailing overnight on our Galapagos of the Southern Ocean voyage aboard Heritage Adventurer, we awoke to masses of Cape Petrels and Albatross soaring above the ship. Standing on the deck, we had the perfect view of these majestic birds.

The Snares Islands appeared in the distance and the Zodiacs were lowered in preparation for our first adventure. Everyone was full of excitement as we boarded the Zodiacs, and headed towards The Snares. A group of small pristine rocky islands, The Snares are home to thousands of endemic Snares Crested Penguins. As we explored the coastline, New Zealand Fur Seals/Kekeno and porpoising penguins emerged around the Zodiacs, and we marvelled at the rugged beauty of these remote islands.Many sea caves have been eroded into the rock, and our drivers took us through one big sea arch, into quaint little bays and coves where New Zealand Fur Seals lounged on the rocks and Snares Crested Penguins went about their day. It was incredible to watch them lunging into, and torpedoing out of, the water among the surging waves and big flowing beds of Bull Kelp.We spotted several New Zealand/Hooker's Sea Lions, including some bulls fighting, the endemic black Tomtit and New Zealand Fernbirds/Mātātā hopping among the Giant Tree Daisy.

The grand finale of the cruise was a place known as the Penguin Slide. This steep slope had hundreds of penguins coming up and down the steep rock face and either jumping into the surf or groups of them would suddenly appear on an arriving wave. We could have stayed all day to watch these amazing birds that were full of so much character.Back on board the comforts of Heritage Adventurer, we sailed past the Western Chain group of islands en route to the Auckland Islands. These 5 jagged rock stacks are home to hundreds of breeding Salvin's Albatross, many were flying close to the ship or resting on the water. Huge flocks of Sooty shearwater/Tītī, Common Diving Petrel/Kuaka and Prions also made an appearance!

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions