10 Mar 2021

Wildlife Safari at The Snares

Hundreds of Cape Petrel, Diving Petrel and Buller's Albatross surround Spirit of Enderby as we reach The Snares just before 0900.

After a ship's cruise to assess conditions, we launched the Zodiacs at the southern end of Northeast Island in the relative shelter from the large opposing swells from both the north and the south-west.

Zodiac cruising the rocky coastlines, groups of Snares Crested Penguins could be observed standing around on the steep rocks, wherever there was enough ramp for them to exit the sea, as New Zealand Fur Seals snoozed on the jagged rocks. Far above them both, and just above the massive granite cliffs amongst hebes and tussocks, hundreds of Buller's Albatross nested as more still filled the sky with plaintive, lamb-like calls to their mates.

Working our way round bays and inlets we also observed  Snares Fernbirds, Tomtits, skua, gulls, terns, Diving Petrel, many more penguins and fur seals, and groups of Hooker's Sea Lions, which interacted playfully with the Zodiacs.

Spirit of Enderby is now cruising north toward Rakiura/Stewart Island, with all on board reliving their Snares' adventure.

Image from file © S.Bradley, Heritage Expeditions