02 Aug 2021

Wildlife Encounters and History on Anchor Island

Waking up to hear the sound of Kiwi calling on Crayfish Island was the perfect start to another day's adventure in Fiordland. With the anchor up at sunrise, we made our way across to Anchor Island to explore Luncheon Cove and Lake Kirirua. New Zealand Fur Seals camped out at Luncheon Cove came to check us out as we made our way ashore. While some of us enjoyed walking across the pest-free island to Lake Kirirua, others explored the historic site at Luncheon Cove. Flocks of Yellowhead were busy above and an inquisitive Saddleback came in for a closer look. But out on the Zodiac cruise it was the Kaka that captured our attention.

This afternoon we made our way further south to the southernmost fiords - Chalky and Preservation Inlets. Sailing down the coast was ideal for seabird viewing as several albatross and petrel joined Heritage Explorer on our journey. We then headed all the way up Edwardson Sound, where Lake Cove provided the ideal anchorage for the night.

Image from file © S.Bradley, Heritage Expeditions