04 Jan 2021

Unforgettable Start To 2021

As Spirit of Enderby steams her way to Bluff guests and crew alike are reflecting on what has been another outstanding Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island voyage and an unforgettable start to 2021.

Sailing towards Anchor Island late New Year's Day morning on a glassy sea, the rata was hanging over the water in full bloom putting on a terrific, fiery display. We spent the afternoon exploring this amazing island; some walked right across it, enjoying the impressive birdlife including Yellowhead, Saddleback, Kaka and Red-crowned Parakeet and nesting shags.

The rest of us enjoyed a thrilling Zodiac cruise weaving through the many islands along the south coast and around the western end of Anchor Island which was exposed to the big oceanic swells, surging like jade on the rocky reefs, before reaching the calm waters of Anchor Island Harbour.

At Dusky Sound we saw a pair Fiordland Crested Penguins/Tawaki, walked, Zodiac-cruised and had a glorious trip up the clear waters of Pandora Creek, surrounded by lush rainforest festooned in epiphytes.

At Milford Sound the mist lent additional drama to the impossibly sheer rock walls of the Fiord. On the last night leaving Dusky Sound, scores of Bottlenose Dolphins suddenly descended on the ship and surfed the bow for several minutes. Days later we can still hear them calling to each other.

Images © J.Mishina, Heritage Expeditions