23 Jan 2022

Penguins, Fur Seals, Seabirds and an Elephant and Leopard Seal at the Snares

After a faster than expected journey north overnight we arrived at The Snares shortly after breakfast, in the lee of the island conditions were calm and the Zodiacs were promptly launched.

This morning we were treated to an exceptional morning on the water with the penguin chicks starting to fledge there was a hive of activity on shore, tomtits flitted from branch to branch and fur seals and sea lions lounged about on the rocks.

We were pleasantly surprised to find two unusual visitors with a Leopard Seal relaxing on the rocks and a large Elephant Seal occupying the waters of Station Cove. But it was the Snares-crested Penguins, Sooty Shearwaters and Cape Petrels that were the stars of the show.

Image from file © A.Fergus, Heritage Expeditions