macquarie island trip

Macquarie Island

Between New Zealand and Antarctica lies Macquarie Island, representing the only spot in the Pacific where mantle rocks can be seen at sea level

Region: Antarctica

Destinations: Ross Sea

The matter of Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is 34 km (21 miles) long and 5 km (3 miles) wide, and is characterized by its mountainous interior. Indeed, Macquarie Island is actually an exposed part of Macquarie Ridge, where the Pacific plate meets the Australian plate. Macquarie Island has been made a UNESCO world heritage site due to this geological significance.

Macquarie Island marine mammals

The wildlife of Macquarie Island is decidedly ample, especially in terms of fur seals: Over 80,000 can be found on Macquarie Island, including sub-Antarctic fur seals, New Zealand fur seals, Antarctic fur seals , and southern elephant seals . Orcas (killer whales) and southern right whales can also be spotted in the waters around Macquarie Island.

The seabirds of Macquarie Island

Endemic birds on Macquarie Island include Macquarie shags and royal penguins, but southern rockhopper penguins, king penguins , and gentoo penguins also breed on Macquarie Island. Because of this, Macquarie Island has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International . About 3.5 million breeding seabirds among 13 species live on Macquarie Island.

Macquarie Island’s varied history

Australian-British seal hunter Frederick Hasselborough discovered Macquarie Island by accident on 11 July, 1810, while searching for sealing grounds. He named the island after Colonel Lachlan Macquarie. A few years later, in 1812, Australian mariner Richard Siddins and his crew were shipwrecked on Macquarie Island’s Hasselborough Bay, but they were soon rescued.

A SMALL BUT MAGNIFICENT refuge in the midst of the Southern Ocean, Macquarie Island is a protected wilderness that undergoes dramatic seasonal change, provides rare habitats for migratory species and offers adventurous travellers an abundance of wildlife that knows no fear of man. It is one of Australia’s truly great wilderness experiences, and just getting there can be an adventure and a unique challenge of its own.

Few people who visit the sub-Antarctic islands understand in advance just how rough the Southern Ocean can be. And while the Antarctic continent enjoys somewhat calm waters far below the roaring trade winds of the Southern Ocean, Macquarie Island, however, is right in the middle of that churning mass of weather and waves, a tiny speck of solid land directly in the path of fierce storms and some of the worst sailing conditions anywhere on the planet.

If you sail directly from Tasmania you need three days at sea to reach Macquarie Island, or you can join a commercial expedition cruise ship and hop your way across the New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands.

The Snares, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island provide waypoints and occasional calm shelter. The passage from Campbell Island to Macquarie is no less than a day with good conditions, and possibly double that when the Southern Ocean is kicking up a fuss.

Macquarie Island: cruising the Southern Ocean

Very few cruise ships head down to this part of the world; it’s too remote and the journey often regarded too rough for the comfort of passengers. Heritage Expeditions is not in the business of luxury cruising, however, preferring to focus on adventure rather than relaxation.

Their ship is one of the ‘Professor Class’ Russian-built research vessels, now named The Spirit of Enderby but still crewed by a team of Russian sailors. It’s a small ship, with room for 50 passengers onboard, and a fleet of five zodiacs stowed on the stern facilitate shore landings.

Our expedition leader is Nathan Russ, who at the age of just 25 is vastly more experienced than his age would suggest. He’s spent Christmas in the Southern Ocean for 15 of those 25 years, and follows in the adventurous footsteps of his father Rodney Russ who founded the company.

From the very start of the journey Nathan talks about a “successful expedition”, as though this was something we shouldn’t take for granted. He followed this up on the first night at sea by casually declaring, “We’ll get you back alive.” And he meant it. Man does not belong down here, not without extraordinary resources and a large bag of seasickness tablets.

With weather conditions determining landings rather than the itinerary, there is no certainty about which beaches can be accessed with a zodiac landing. In fact there are no guarantees that you will land at all.

The night before we pulled alongside the shores of Macquarie Island was the roughest seas for our entire journey. I’d grown accustomed to the pendulum swing of the vessel as it rode sideways through 8 m swells, was coping better than most on the ship to avoid the effects of seasickness and had even found a way to stop myself sliding up and down the length of my bunk while I slept.

The only thing keeping me awake was the calamitous crashing of massive waves landing on the bow.

The next morning conditions were calm enough to wander onto the top deck, above the captain’s bridge where nothing but navigation towers interrupt the view. Nearly everything up here is painted white, in contrast to the generous sprinkling of seaweed that had appeared on deck during the night. At least one of those waves in the darkness had gone clear over the bridge.

Have no doubt that a nautical expedition in the Southern Ocean is a journey into the world’s most dangerous waters. It gets rough down here, really rough. Only one other passenger vessel had been down here in the previous month, and she turned tail for calmer seas when the forecast turned serious.

Not The Spirit of Enderby however. The promise of manic penguins on the beach and hot scones at the research base was one that Nathan intended to keep.

Macquarie Island: Sandy Bay

What you remember most vividly from two weeks sailing the Southern Ocean is not the journey itself but the precious few hours spent walking one of the worlds most unique World Heritage Areas. After spending a week sailing south from New Zealand my first sight of Sandy Bay was exhilarating.

Watching the waves fade across volcanic black sand to meet the hundreds of thousands of king penguins jammed onto the narrow strip of beach, the battle between elephant seals as they crash a tonne of flesh against each other and the high-traffic zone of royal penguins darting in and out of the surf like British backpackers at Bondi.

In any given year just a few hundred people get to experience this scene. Unless you’re a park ranger or research scientist there is very limited access to the greater wilderness areas on Macquarie Island and our landings ashore are escorted at all times.

For the most part our rangers set the boundaries on where we can wander but we enjoy plenty of opportunity to spread out and meet the creatures on our own.

We got ashore twice in two days on our visit to Macquarie, the first time to wander along Sandy Bay in the afternoon sunshine, and the second time we spent half a day visiting the research base and resident wildlife across the isthmus at Buckles Bay.

An entire cruise ship alighting zodiacs together sounds like an invasion, but in fact 50 people on the beach with tens of thousands of penguins is a very generous ratio. There are plenty of penguins to go around.

King penguins

I’ve come here for the penguins, and the king penguins in particular. Kings are the second largest of all, and the most streamlined through the water. They are perfectly coloured to blend into the beach scene here, a smooth grey and white suit with hints of yellow and bronze.

The pebbles at Sandy Bay are dark as a result of recent geological activity. Like the pebbles on Macquarie Island no two king penguins are the same, each with subtle variations in hues and humour.

From the moment I step off the zodiac and onto the beach, the kings take notice and wander past with interest. Park rangers and expedition crew have told me a dozen times to keep a 10 m distance from the wildlife, but often animals will have their own ideas and come in close to examine the newcomers on their turf.

I’m not sure what gave me away. The fact that I’m several times their height, the bright red jacket that makes me almost visible from the Moon or the repetitive click and thud of my camera. Penguins have yet to catch on to the digital photography phenomena but they are evidently curious.

Standing next to them on land they look diminutive instead of regal and grand, like a characterisation of the images we see in magazines. You have to lie down flat on the beach before a king penguin can truly lord it over you. Once you drop down to the height of their gaze a compelling urge for curiosity takes over.

Unsatisfied with an eye-ball examination I become the subject of a taste test as well. It looks potentially dangerous when a powerful pointed beak is thrown into your foot, but they peck with interest rather than aggression, before making a few gurgling noises among themselves and heading on down the beach.

Royal penguins

Penguins always seem to have somewhere to be, and the royal penguins give the impression they are terribly late to be there. In between colonies of king penguins a narrow patch of beach at Sandy Bay has become a multi-lane highway for the royals, and what they lack in physical stature they make up for with personality.

The noise is intense with more than a thousand foot-high drama queens competing for attention. Couples chat with each other in acts of pair bonding, neighbours bicker about boundaries between nest sites, males gather up pebbles to impress their mates and rogue romantics sidle up to females to try their luck before being chased off by irate partners.

On a sunny afternoon at Macquarie Island I watch waves of royals come hopping down the beach to dunk in the ocean and cool off. They charge headfirst into the surf with grubby bellies and stained feathers, and re-emerge minutes later refreshed and clean.

It becomes a social outing as rafts of royals chatter on the water, seemingly unconcerned about the seasonal arrival of leopard seals to the island. The more commonly sighted elephant seals on these beaches prefer to dine on squid rather than flippers.

Royal penguins are part of the crested penguins family that includes rockhoppers and macaronis, and their wild tufts of yellow feathers above the brow give them a comical appearance that adds to their sense of personality.

Each carries their crest with a different manner, emerging from the ocean with the crest slicked back like a flat-footed James Dean, flinging the salt-water free with a shake of the head, or hiding among the landed seaweed which happens to be the exact same bronzed-yellow colour.

Macquarie Island: best times to travel

Late December is a good time of year to be in the sub-Antarctic islands. You still get a chance to see penguin chicks, and lots of them, and this far north of the South Pole they’re well advanced.

Summers on Macquarie Island are relatively ice free compared with the Antarctic landmass further south, and that’s just how the penguins like it. They love a cold climate but too much ice and snow can make life difficult for breeding. King penguins, royals, rockhoppers and gentoos on Macquarie Island take full advantage of the nesting sites on land and the feeding frenzy offshore.

Buckles Bay has a healthy population of gentoo penguins and their chicks have reached an age when they can be truly demanding on their parents.

Gentoo chicks will go to great lengths to be annoying to anyone else’s parents too, the imperative of filling their stomach overriding penguin etiquette as they unsuccessfully beg from strangers. Unlike the royal penguins which can only be found on Macquarie Island, gentoo are very common throughout the Antarctic region.

They are tolerant of the warmer conditions at Macquarie Island yet also able to survive further south in the colder latitudes where the more specialised Adélie penguins thrive on the abundant Antarctic ice.

King penguin chicks dominate the landscape at Macquarie in December, with a colony in excess of 200,000 kings on Lusitania Bay and many thousands more around the island. In contrast to the elegant dress suit worn by adult kings, the chicks run about in their brown fluffy penguin pyjamas.

Where the colony gathers to herd chicks together the beach looks like a kindergarten slumber party.

I sat down on a tussock at Sandy Bay for a while with one of the park rangers, and we watched the creche of king chicks go about their day. A few chicks wander about harassing strangers for a feed, but most wait patiently for their dutiful parents to return with fresh fish.

Reuniting mother and child, or father and child, is a small miracle with hundreds of near identical chicks huddled into a small cove. But they manage with the help of voice recognition and a quick exchange of squawks and squeals reunites the family.

Chicks have a way of letting parents know that food is required, by persistently pecking and jabbing at the adults beak until a bolus of partially digested pulp is regurgitated.

Having spent several hours with the kings it was only then I realised that a good many of the adults were actually caring for eggs rather than chicks. They stand patiently in one spot with their feet clamped together below the egg and a belly of feathers rolled over the top to keep it all warm.

Every so often they lift up their stomach, gently tap the egg with their beak and then return to the belly cradling position.

It’s charming to be stalked by an over-curious king penguin and suddenly have a beak looking up at your nose, less appealing when it’s a fully grown elephant seal who wants you off his patch of sand.

I watched several territorial confrontations between male elephant seals and was sure to keep a healthy distance from their teeth and tonnage.

Macquarie Island: conservation management

Spending time with the wild creatures is greatly enhanced by the presence of experienced rangers. Macquarie Island falls under the management of the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and the experience of the rangers is evident.

What at first was a sea of grey and brown penguins becomes an intricate network of organisation when there’s a zoologist on hand to point out observations. The ranger noted skuas trying their luck in the colony, loitering out of pecking range in search of a snack and making off with a penguin’s eggs when the chance arises.

Rangers are a necessity on Macquarie Island and far from being an obstacle to exploration they in fact make it possible for travellers to experience close encounters with the wildlife.

By defining which parts of the Macquarie Island habitat visitors can roam, how to interact with the wildlife without causing them stress and restricting how many people at one time can come ashore the unique ecology of the island can be protected without being hidden away from the public.

You can’t have cruise ships landing passengers anywhere they like and disturbing the breeding colonies, for the sake of the animals and for the sake of the travellers themselves.

Aside from being a passionate source of information on sub-Antarctic ecology the rangers also facilitate research on better management and protection of the island’s wildlife.

Rabbits, rats and mice have caused incredible damage to the natural habitat here during the past decade and a great deal of work is needed to restore the environment.

Macquarie Island: pest control

Ironically the history of pest control for introduced species at Macquarie Island is a tale of good intentions with unforeseen effects. Rabbits were reduced in the 1970s which led to feral cats increasing their prey on migratory birds.

Then the cats were eradicated a decade ago only to result in rodent and rabbit populations increasing to devastating proportions.

The problem with the remaining introduced species is their ability to destroy tussocks and other native flora that have evolved on the island. Vegetation that provides vital habitats for seabirds is eaten by rabbits before it can mature while the seeds are harvested by rodents and stored for winter.

The final outcome is exposed slopes and an increasingly denuded ecosystem. Even the tall thick tussock grass that young seals hide among has been visibly effected by the pests.

In the winter of 2010 the impact of introduced species on Macquarie Island will be challenged by the largest pest-eradication project ever undertaken in the world. The Federal Government is funding an initiative to simultaneously remove rabbit, rat and mice populations across the entire island.

The model for such an ambitious project was set by the New Zealand Government in 2001 when they used helicopters and poison baits to clear the rats from Campbell Island. Some of the same team members from the Campbell Island project will be working on Macquarie Island this winter.

Pete Tyree was a ranger and logistics officer for New Zealand’s Department of Conservation during the Campbell Island eradication, and was present on my cruise to Macquarie Island as a crew member for Heritage Expeditions.

Pete has seen firsthand just how dramatically the habitats on Campbell Island have improved since the rodents were removed. Vast mountain sides are once again covered with dense tussock grass and the sub-Antarctic megaherbs, providing the ideal environment for nesting albatross pairs.

Macquarie Island also has a rich variety of albatross species, although expedition cruise passengers are more likely to see the birds while making passage at sea than standing on a beach. Albatross prefer to nest high up on cliffs and exposed knolls where strong winds give them an easy take-off.

The habitat decline on Macquarie Island is evident to the experts but so is the wild beauty that abounds on this desolate outpost.

Pete explains the island magic best. “Macquarie Island is just an amazing place. From a photographer and conservationist’s point of view it’s a paradise,” he says. “The depth of interaction with the penguins down here was life altering for me.”

RELATED STORIES

The best family bike rides in Western Australia

Western Australia is a massive state with plenty to offer your bike-riding family. Here are some of our favourites from out west.

A long way to the top: Trekking NZ’s Southern Alps

Mattie Gould spends seven days exploring New Zealand’s Southern Alps and rediscovers his love for this alpine wonderland.

Gone troppo: Hike and bike Townsville and Magnetic Island

Seven days riding, walking and swimming in Queensland’s north is a brilliant way to unwind while exploring this magic region.

Watch Latest Web Stories

Birds of Stewart Island / Rakiura

Endangered fairy-wrens survive Kimberley floods

Australia’s sleepiest species

2024 Calendars & Diaries - OUT NOW

Our much loved calendars and diaries are now available for 2024. Adorn your walls with beautiful artworks year round. Order today.

In stock now: Hansa Soft Toys and Puppets

From cuddly companions to realistic native Australian wildlife, the range also includes puppets that move and feel like real animals.

Macquarie Island

• 1.1 Visitor information
• 2.2 By boat
• 3 Get around
• 11 Stay safe

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&amp;lang=en&amp;name=Macquarie_Island\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a></span>"}'/>

Macquarie Island or Macca as it is affectionately known, is a Subantarctic island in the Southern Ocean, part of Tasmania . Like Heard Island and McDonald Islands (and the largely unrecognised Australian Antarctic Territory), Macquarie Island is a part of the Australian Antarctic Program, but it's not administered by the Australian Antarctic Division.

Macquarie Island is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins, and has been designated a World Heritage site . It is a Tasmanian State Reserve and is managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. It is Australia's Subantarctic jewel.

Macquarie Island is about 1500 km south-southeast of mainland Tasmania and around 1200 km north of Antarctica. The Australian Antarctic Division research station is located at the northern end of the island. The island is 5 km wide at its widest point and 34 km long. The island's total area is about 128 km².

Cold, wet and windy, the average winter temperature is about 3°C and the average summer temperature is 7°C. It is your classic, cold, bleak, windswept, Subantarctic island.

The island has a population of about 40 researchers and support staff during the summer. The population drops to about 20 during the winter.

Visitor information

• Park website

All access to the island is managed by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife and permits are required before any landing on the island. Visitors have to be completely self-sufficient as fuel, water and food supplies are limited due to the remote location.

There is no airstrip on Macquarie Island but two concrete helipads exist on the isthmus. No fuel is available on the island. There is a non-directional radio beacon (NDB) approximately 500 m south of the helipads on 392Khz with morse ID VJM. Pilots need to avoid low flying near any of the penguin rookeries on the island to minimise disturbance to the animals, particularly during summer.

A number of companies offer trips to Macquarie Island. Usually it is a stop-over on the way to Antarctica for vessels departing from Australia or New Zealand. A strong constitution for travellers is recommended as sea sickness may be an issue for some - the Southern Ocean can have some of the roughest seas in the world. It usually takes 3 to 4 days to make the crossing from either Bluff in NZ or Hobart in Tasmania. There are no port facilities at Macca so visitors will be put ashore on small boats like Naiads or Zodiacs. Expect to get your feet wet. Weather conditions may sometimes make landings frustratingly impossible though. The usual landing location for visitors is at Landing Beach on the eastern side of the isthmus about 300m south of the station: there is a marked channel with entrance leads that carries about a meter of water at low tide. Caution needs to be taken at all beach landings on the island as there are numerous rock outcrops and a near continuous offshore kelp forest. Skippers need to also consider minimising the impact on wildlife of any landings.

Companies offering cruises to Antarctica via Macquarie Island and other Sub-Antarctic islands include:

• Quark Expeditions .
• Aurora Expeditions .
• Heritage Expeditions .

There are several walking tracks around the island including an Overland Track that runs the full length of the island. Walkers need to be prepared for rapid changes in weather conditions at all times and carry a handheld VHF radio. To limit environmental degradation some raised board walks have been introduced at landing locations such as Sandy Bay and The Isthmus for visitors, who are escorted by a Tasmanian park ranger. Quaking bogs exist on the island, particularly on the west coast and have marked tracks but are not suitable for people heavier than 100kg due to the risk of breaking through the surface layer of vegetation. Zodiac inflatable boats are used to put visitors ashore at accessible locations for all excursions. Landings are normally monitored by the Tasmanian park rangers.

Vehicles are not used on the island except for the isthmus area around the station.

A number of seal species are present including the Southern Elephant seal and the New Zealand Fur seal. Most of the bird life is represented on the island by four species of penguin: king, royal, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. Other birds include petrels, skua, albatross and ducks. Introduced animals, such as feral cats, rabbits, mice and rats have contributed to the decline of native animals however eradication and control measures have been implemented that have gradually eliminated the feral animals.

The large penguin rookeries are an incredible sight. The king penguins congregate in their hundreds of thousands on the beaches, standing shoulder to shoulder only reluctantly moving to make way for the huge elephant seals sliding and jerking in their impressive way to and from the sea. Just in land from the beach the royal penguins roost in congregations that can almost overload the senses with an unforgettable smell and noise. Skuas, predatory birds, opportunistically try and pick off the chicks and weak. Other skuas and petrels can be found picking and tearing at the carcasses of dead seals.

The huge elephant seals, some weighing in at 1,000kg or more, wallow together on the beach in their dozens. Male juveniles will play fight, that is, they will rear back on their tails and then crash together in what is more of a head slap than a head butt. This is all in preparation for when they are adults and will have to fight each other for the right to mate with a harem of females. Adult males have an average weight of 2,000kg and can weigh up to 4,000kg. They can also be up to 4   m (13   ft) in length.

Australian Antarctic Territory stamps are available for sale at the research station. Postcards and letters can also be left at the station to be mailed and postmarked with the Macquarie Island postmark. Macquarie Island and Australian Antarctic Division memorabilia like T-shirts, fridge magnets & caps are also sometimes available for sale.

Passports can also be stamped with a Macquarie Island stamp.

The research station's mess building will occasionally provide snacks to visitors like muffins, sandwiches, pizza, tea and coffee. Due to the risk of introducing avian diseases to the local wildlife, the landing of poultry and poultry products is strictly controlled.

The research station has a bar in the mess building. A bizarre, yet strangely tasty, distilled concoction made from old cans of fruit will be, on the rare occasions it is even available, offered to visitors in the bar. Beer home brewing facilities exist at the station and homebrew kits are available with the annual resupply. Most years there is a winter wine club with wines supplied by the expeditioners.

It is unlikely you would be able to stay on the island during a visit as you would be expected to sleep on the vessel you arrived on. Most visits last 1 to 2 days. Staff and researchers have access to a network of field huts around the island at places of interest: Timber framed huts exist at Green Gorge, Bauer Bay and Hurd Point. Pre-fabricated fibreglass huts are located at Brother's Point and Waterfall Bay. These huts are suitable for occupancy up to a full summer season where required and there are a number of refuges and shelters the can be used in emergencies or for occasional overnight stays scattered around remoter parts of the island.

It would help if you were an employee of Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service or the Australian Antarctic Division and were posted to the island when a position came available. Nearly all the inhabitants are engaged in the scientific research undertaken on the island or tradespeople such as carpenters, cooks and electricians, to support the station.

There are hundreds of thousands of seals and millions of penguins and other sea birds that make their home on the island. Visitors are required to stay five metres from the wildlife. However penguins are inquisitive little guys and will waddle over to you to check you out. Visitors should also stay on designated trails.

See the article on the Subantarctic Islands .

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• UNESCO tag to be fixed
• Has custom banner
• Usable parks
• Usable articles
• Park articles
• Islands of the Southern Ocean
• All destination articles
• Has Geo parameter

Navigation menu

Subantarctic Islands Cruises

New zealand to subantarctic islands cruises, wildlife havens of the southern ocean.

BOOK EARLY AND SAVE : Save up to 20% off select cabins when your cruise book by 30 September 2024. Applicable to select voyages only, see below for details. T&C apply.

Discover a world-class wilderness and wildlife experience. All World Heritage sites and Nature Reserves, the Snares, Campbell, Auckland, Bounty, Antipodes and Macquarie Islands are administered with the highest protection – tourism is only allowed under special license. These islands lie in the ‘Albatross Isles’ – 10 of the world’s albatross species breed in the region.

From endemic Snares and Erect-crested Penguin breeding grounds to soaring albatross and petrels; from tapestries of flowering megaherbs to New Zealand Sea Lion colonies, dramatic coastlines and Australia's Macquaire Island with its Royal and King Penguin colonies and lazing Elephant Seal 'Weaners', each day is an epic adventure of discovery. Whether you’re a birder, photographer, wildlife enthusiast, or simply an adventurous spirit, these expeditions offer an unparalleled travel experience.

Join us, New Zealand's family-owned and -operated pioneering expedition cruise company, as we explore the Subantarctic Islands aboard our luxury 140-guest flagship. Purpose-built for adventure, Heritage Adventurer, boasts the highest passenger ship ice class rating (1A Super) and has a fleet of Zodiacs for landings and excursions.

Subantarctic Islands Season

Join us on an extraordinary voyage through new zealand and australia's subantarctic islands, beyond fiordland: new zealand's wildest islands.

12 DAYS 28 Dec 2024   10% Off* 22 Dec 2025   20% Off*

Aboard Heritage Adventurer Bluff, New Zealand and Return

• Visit remote World Heritage Sites: The Snares, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island, and explore Stewart and Ulva Islands, Fiordland (Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound and Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour)
• Dec 2024 voyage includes the option to join a sea kayaking excursion
• Discover the primordial majesty and unspoiled beauty of Fiordland
• Explore sea caves and observe wildlife in spectacular numbers
• Zodiac cruise glittering waterways between podocarp forests looking penguins and dolphins
• Spend the day hiking the unforgettable landscapes of Enderby and Campbell Islands
• Look for the elusive Campbell and Auckland Island Snipe
• Wade waist deep through fields of flowering megaherbs
• Experience the rarely-seen early Albatross courting ritual known as gamming
• Explore wildlife-rich rugged coastlines
• Human history - Coastwatcher's Huts, early settlements and shipwreck tales
• Visit some of New Zealand's most remote and iconic locations, many only accessible by expedition ship

*Book by 30 September 2024 or until sold out, landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only. Applicable to all cabin categories.

Get the Brochure

Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: Subantarctic Islands

12 DAYS 18 – 29 Dec 2024 26 Nov – 7 Dec 2025   15-20% Off Select Cabins* 31 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026  15-20% Off Select Cabins* Queenstown-Bluff, New Zealand and Return

13 Days 22 Nov – 4 Dec 2024 Hobart, Australia to Bluff-Queenstown, New Zealand Aboard  Heritage Adventurer

• Visit remote World Heritage Sites: The Snares, Auckland Islands, Macquarie Island and Campbell Islands
• Explore Macquarie Island with Park Ranger guides
• Observe the raucous antics of Macquarie Island's Royal Penguin and King Penguin colonies
• Watch lumbering Elephant Seals challenging each other on Macquarie Island
• Zodiac cruise Lusitania Bay - one of the largest penguin breeding colonies on the planet (Macquarie Island)

*Book by 30 September 2024 and save 15% off Worsely Suites and 20% off Heritage Suites. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.

Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

3 – 19 Dec 2024 6 – 22 Dec 2025    15-20% Off Select Cabins* Aboard Heritage Adventurer Queenstown-Bluff, New Zealand and return

• Island Groups: Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, Macquarie Island & Chatham Islands
• Incredibly rare Chatham Island Black Robin and Taiko (Magenta Petrel), and Forbe's/Chatham Parakeet
• Visit the only breeding sites of the Erect-crested Penguin and home to the world's rarest shag the endemic Bounty Island Shag in Antipodes and Bounty Islands
• Pyramid Rock, the only breeding place of the Chatham Island Albatross
• Cross the Chathams Rise, known location of Wandering Royal and Salvin's Albatross, and Cape, Westland Black and Cook's Petrel

Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific: Subantarctic Islands

28 Dec 2024 – 4 Jan 2025 21 – 28 Dec 2025   15% Off*

Aboard  Heritage Adventurer Queenstown-Bluff, New Zealand and return 

• Island Groups: Snares, Aucklands, Campbell
• Watch Yellow-eyed Penguins make their way to and from the sea to feed hungry chicks
• Hiking on Enderby Island
• Carpets of flowering endemic daisys on Campbell Island
• Southern Elephant Seals haul out on Northwest Bay, Campbell
• Observe nesting Southern Royal and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, and numerous endemic birds
• Rare Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lions and their pups on Enderby Island
• Human history - Coastwatcher’s Huts, early settlements and shipwreck tales
• Flowering Rata Forests, rolling hills of flowering megaherbs, large tree daisies
• Options to climb spectacular Mt Honey or hike Col Lyall Saddle
• Look for the elusive Subantarctic Snipe on Auckland and Campbell Islands

**Book by 30 September 2024, landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only. Applicable to all cabin categories.

In the wake of scott and shackleton: ross sea antarctica.

28 DAYS 7 Jan – 3 Feb 2025   15-20% Off + US$3,000pp Flight Credit on Select Cabins* 2 Feb – 1 Mar 2025   15-20% Off + US$3,000pp Flight Credit on Select Cabins*

10 Jan 2026 to 6 Feb 2026  15-20% Off on Select Cabins* 5 Feb 2026 to 4 Mar 2026     15-20% Off on Select Cabins* Queenstown-Bluff, New Zealand and return

• Walk in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s footsteps at his hut at Cape Royds
• Venture back in time at Borchgrevink’s Hut at Cape Adare 
• Be welcomed ashore at research stations in Terra Nova Bay
• Visit Enderby Island in sea lion breeding season
• See the Royal Penguins on Macquarie Island at their peak
• Emperor Penguins, Royals, Kings, Adelie Penguins, whales, seals...
• Adelie Penguins are flourishing with chicks about to start fledging
• Catch the peak flowering of the Megaherbs in the Subantarctic
• 24-hour sunlight in the Ross Sea
• Orca feeding amongst the ice, especially in McMurdo Sound
• Navigate through pack ice that guards the entrance to the Ross Sea

*Book by 30 September 2024 and save 15% off Worsely Suites and 20% off Heritage Suites in 2025 and 2026. Plus book a Heritage Suite in 2025 and receive a US$3,000pp or equivalent (AU$4,300, NZ$4,600, EUЄ2,800, UK£2,300) Flight Credit. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.

About heritage expeditions, ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets..

For 40 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. Our mission is to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel.

Expert Team

Our team of naturalists, historians, biologists and ornithologists bring an enormous wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our expeditions, both in the field and onboard our ship during our lecture series.

Our new flagship, the 140-guest Heritage Adventurer, combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating with an international flair and luxury amenities. Guests enjoy spacious suites, elegant common areas and cuisine prepared by top chefs.

Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer,  formerly known as  MS Hanseatic ,   is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Originally designed for 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 travellers ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, and with a fleet of 14 Zodiacs to maximise the adventure. Savor daily international gourmet cuisine from talented chefs across two lavish restaurants, and settle into spacious and well-appointed accommodations each night. Enjoy 360-degree views and comfortable sun loungers on the Observation Deck, relax in the Observation Lounge with library, bar and panoramic views, and reinvigorate in the heated salt water pool, well-equipped gym, hot tub, sauna and steam room. 

Technical Specs

Year Built: 1991

Shipyard: Rauma, Finland

Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4

Accommodation: 140 guests

Length: 124 metres

Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Zodiacs: 14

What our travellers are saying:

Let me be the first to say, the Subantarctic is the stuff of legends. A refuge for some of the most abundant wildlife colonies on earth, New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands are perhaps the most overlooked and pristine islands I've ever set foot on. Situated in the latitudes in between the Roaring Forties, Furious Fifties and Screaming Sixties, this is a place so savagely beautiful it'll take your breath away – literally. Liz  Carlson

Heritage Expeditions knows its stuff. If you love pelagic birds, penguins, sea lions and unique flora, you cannot be disappointed by the islands of the Subantarctic. The roaring forties and furious fifties awaken the spirit of adventure – this is a sea voyage as much as a biodiversity overload. More than just a sensory experience, you feel connected on a deeper level with the thousands of penguins on the islands and the constant companionship of albatross at sea. Thank you so much to the expedition team and crew of the Professor Khromov for memories to last a lifetime.

Neale Frazer

I spent Christmas and New Year on the Galapagos of the Southern Ocean trip and it is the coolest thing I have ever done. The birding is incredible, the wildlife is stunning. We had pretty calm weather compared to other trips, and the crew on Professor Khromov made the whole trip an absolute dream expedition. I have recommended Heritage Expeditions and this trip to everybody I know!

Tamzin Goldsworthy

Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific:  Subantarctic Islands I want to pass on a very big thank you to everyone at Heritage. My research work went very well, and the trip was an absolute pleasure. Everything about the trip exceeded my expectations: the staff in the office and onboard were absolutely fantastic, exceptional planning to ensure that the needs and desires of all the passengers for particular shore excursions were balanced with safety and weather concerns, incredible knowledge and communication skills of the guides,  amazing food the chefs prepared even in challenging conditions, the Russian crew’s friendliness and enthusiasm despite the language barrier. And of course, what a magical place the Subantarctic Islands are! Jocelyn

My trip to the Subantarctic Islands was just amazing!! I just loved the fields of mega herbs and the wildlife. There were times when there were no words to describe it all. One highlight was the day I got to the top of the boardwalk on Campbell Island--magnificent! The meals were wonderful--fresh and healthy--and your staff sure did look after us! I was very impressed with the young staff; they were very reliable, confident, and made me feel safe and secure. The management of all aspects of everyone onboard was well done. Thank you to Heritage Expeditions for a memorable adventure!

Just home after a fabulous trip to the sub-antarctic islands of New Zealand. Hard to tell what is most memorable, but seeing a baby Southern Royal Albatross being fed a half-dozen whole squid just a few feet away from us was amazing. The birds were fantastic, headlined by the mythical Taiko, which buzzed the ship early one morning. The Heritage team did a great job of keeping us safe and teaching us about the wonders of these magical destinations.

Peter Kaestner

Choose Your Adventure!

Select your voyage(s) to receive the e-brochure, heritage expeditions.

Spanning two hemispheres — Antarctica’s Ross Sea and the Subantarctic Islands , New Zealand , Australia's Kimberley coast , Vanuatu , Solomon Islands , Papua New Guinea , Indonesia , Philippines , South Korea and Japan — we journey to UNESCO World Heritage sites, pristine nature reserves, and far-flung indigenous communities steeped in tradition.

• DESTINATIONS

• NEW ZEALAND
• SOUTH PACIFIC
• SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS
• Capain’s Log
• Testimonials
• Responsible Travel
• Expedition Calendar
• Trip Reports

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

• Request a quote
•  Contact
• Your luxury cruise with PONANT
• Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean

Atlantic Coast

Central America

North America

• Northern Europe & Scandinavia

Ocean Voyages

• Oceania & Pacific Islands

South America

The Mediterranean

Transatlantic

• Show all destinations
• See all cruises
• Loyalty Cruise
• Gastronomy & Wine
• Polar Expedition
• Tropical Expedition
• Art & Museums
• Smithsonian Journeys
• Theatre & Literature
• The Explorers Club
• Quintessential Collection
• Show all themes
• Back-to-back offers
• Free Ocean Voyage
• Free solo supplement
• Flight credit
• SPIRIT OF PONANT
• L'AUSTRAL
• LE LAPÉROUSE
• LE CHAMPLAIN
• LE BOUGAINVILLE
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER
• LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
• LE PAUL GAUGUIN
• Expeditions
• Life on board
• A different way to cruise
• Our guests and speakers
• PONANT Plus
• Why choose PONANT ?
• PONANT benefits
• Our Pavilions
• Our 360-degree destinations
• A more sustainable tourism
• PONANT Foundation
• PONANT Science programme
• Certifications and distinctions
• Cruises and destinations
• Macquarie Island

Where would you like to travel with PONANT?

Which period?

What are you looking for?

• Gastronomy & Wine
• Art & Museums

Cruises visiting Macquarie Island (Australia)

• Destinations
• More filters

Your criteria

Delete all criteria

Explore our list of 6 cruises

Long celebrated as one of the wonder spots of the world, Macquarie Island is an island of great beauty and outstanding natural diversity, a breeding place for more than 3.5 million seabirds, most of which are penguins. There are four species breeding on Macquarie Island:  Royals, Kings, Gentoos and Rock Hoppers . There are also three types of fur seals and one seventh of the world's population of elephant seals breeding on the Island. In 1948 The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established its expedition headquarters on Macquarie Island. If time and weather permit, guests will have the opportunity to land ashore and view the prolific wildlife that resides here.

Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents

Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

1300 737 178 (or contact your travel agent)

Click on the items you want to select.   You can select multiple. You can click on an item again to deselect it.

Discover other destinations

Northern Europe & Scandinavia

Oceania & Pacific Islands

Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

This Florida Island Is Just 6 Miles Long — and a Gateway to Everglades National Park

Plus, it gets approximately 300 days of sunshine per year.

• Best Hotels & Resorts

Best Things to Do

Best shopping, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, areas to visit, how to get around.

mdulieu/Getty Images

At just six miles long, yet home to some of the top all-inclusive resorts in Florida , Marco Island is the largest and only inhabited of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands , as well as a gateway to Everglades National Park , the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. It’s hard to believe walking on the alabaster beaches, watching dolphins frolic in the waves, that just a few miles away lies a mangrove wonderland, black-whiskered vireos serenade the alligators and crocodiles, and a tangle of coastal hammocks teem with wildlife. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, with approximately 300 days of sunshine per year, Marco Island offers a respite of luxury tucked into the wilds of Old Florida.

Hyla Crane, executive director of Marco Island Center for the Arts , traded New York City for the small barrier island and never looked back. “It's a tropical vacation without leaving the country — the beaches are beautiful, the pace of life is calm and relaxing, and the art scene is vibrant.” she told Travel + Leisure about what makes Marco Island so special. “There are spas, museums, a theater, great restaurants, and plenty of water sports. When you cross the Jolley Bridge, you feel like you are on holiday.”

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Visit Marco Island Center for the Arts to immerse yourself in local art, see a show at the theater, or take a class and make a memento from your trip.
• Book a tour with Rising Tide Explorers, the only biologist-owned-and-operated ecotour company in the region, to explore the protected mangroves, estuaries, and coastline while learning about the area's history and biodiversity.
• Before a day on the sand, hit Doreen’s Cup of Joe for Crunchy French Toast coated in cornflakes.
• Stay at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort for an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico, and your choice of family-friendly accommodations or a separate adults-only wing.
• Stop at one of Marco Island’s oldest restaurants, Snook Inn, for fresh Gulf seafood and a slew of boat slips where you can park without leaving the water.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy of Marriott

The Boat House

On the banks of Collier Creek, The Boat House exudes Old Florida charm at an affordable price. With 20 guest rooms, three condo units, and one rental home, accommodations here provide a cozy, pet-friendly atmosphere. Amenities include a waterfront pool, boat docks, and common areas for gathering. Crane noted, “The proprietor is charming and it puts you right on the water.”

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa

“If you prefer a more upscale experience, the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa offers a superb executive chef and luxurious spa, and you are right on the beach,” added Crane. In addition to the king and queen rooms, the property also has four dining options, a heated outdoor pool, a sundeck, and a show-stopping white-sand beach.

JW Marriot Marco Island Beach Resort

For the Cadillac of accommodations, according to Crane, the only choice is the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort . An ideal family resort in Florida , the property has four pools, including one with a slide, plus 13 food and beverage concepts, 10 acres of pristine beach, access to two golf courses, three fitness centers, and a 20,000-square-foot spa. Paradise by Sirene is a separate wing of adults-only suites featuring complimentary breakfast, rooftop pool access, beach butler service, your own vacation planner, and more. Crane added, “No stay is complete without a visit to 10K Alley, an amazing arcade that includes a bowling alley, mini golf, as well as a taproom with craft beers and bourbon.” Be sure to check out the sunset fire dance show, weather permitting.

Vito Palmisano/Getty Images

Go fishing.

Surrounded by the perfect mix of fresh and saltwater, Marco Island is a fisherman’s paradise . Anglers can expect to hook snook, grouper, tripletail, snapper, redfish, tarpon, and more. Crane added, “If you enjoy eating what you catch, several restaurants on the island will take your fish and prepare it for you.”

Explore the Marco Island Historical Museum.

High on Crane’s must-stop list is the Marco Island Historical Museum , which explores southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians through artifacts unearthed from archeological digs, some dating as far back as the 1800s. One room is transformed into a replica of a Calusa village and its inhabitants' daily lives. It's also where visitors can see the famed Marco Cat, an artifact that traveled from Marco Island to the Smithsonian and now is home.

Check out the Marco Island Center for the Arts.

Marco Island Center for the Arts encompasses a working artist gallery, studios for classes, and a community theater. The Art Center, located on Winterberry Drive, showcases music, film, and presentations through dynamic monthly exhibitions, classes, and workshops for adults, free educational programs for children, and events, including wine-tasting nights and live music. The Arts Center Theatre, located on North Collier Boulevard, produces six shows each season. It also offers a theater camp, which culminates in a full-scale production — this summer, it’s "Finding Nemo," complete with digitized animated art that makes you feel like you're swimming underwater with Nemo, Dory, and friends.

Head to the beach.

Marco Island has some of the best beaches in Florida , thanks to its sunset views, access to wildlife, and water sports. Crane recommends Tigertail Beach Park if you collect shells — Florida fighting conch and lightning whelk are just a couple found here. Plus, it's a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail for all the bird-watching enthusiasts.

Join Rising Tide Explorers.

There's no better way to see this part of the country than on a tour with a biologist who understands the ecosystem, can navigate the meandering waterways, and teach you about the history of the area. Rising Tide Explorers offers several boat and kayak tours, as well as rental options. It's the only biologist-owned-and-operated ecotour company in the area. Be sure to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and your curiosity as you explore Collier County’s 110,000 acres of protected coastline.

The Shops of Olde Marco

Located on Royal Palm Drive on the northern tip of Marco Island, this collection of boutiques , art galleries, working artist studios, and eateries is one of Crane’s favorites. Visitors will find the Local Color Art Gallery filled with pieces created by local artists, Sage & Sand Beauty Co., Leebe Fish Restaurant and Seafood Market, and more.

Courtesy of Marco Prime

Marco Prime Steak & Seafood

Located on South Collier Boulevard, Marco Prime Steak & Seafood is a perennial Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner and Crane’s go-to for upscale dining. She added, “The food is superb and they have an impressive wine list, along with excellent wine events.” Expect a wide variety of fresh local seafood, wagyu steaks, and uncommon offerings like Siberian caviar. The restaurant is open for dinner only, seven days per week.

Mango’s Dockside Bistro

Crane’s favorite meal is brunch, and Mango’s Dockside Bistro gets her number-one spot. “They have the best bloody mary. It's right on the water, and family-friendly,” she said. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., the restaurant serves breakfast between December and April. Fur babies are also welcome on the patio so the whole family can join.

Can you say you’ve been to Marco Island without dining at Snook Inn ? Crane thinks not. She added, “The food is casual at this 30-year-old island staple. There's live music and an exceptional happy hour.” Boat slips abut the back of the restaurant for easy docking, and a plethora of indoor and outdoor seating provides full waterfront views. The lavender lemonade is just the ticket on a sweltering South Florida day, and the iconic salad bar with an enormous pickle barrel brings lots of Old Florida nostalgia. The grouper sandwich, blackened with crispy fries, is the specialty here and for good reason — it’s a generous portion of fish served on a soft brioche bun.

The Oyster Society

This elegant dinner-only spot gives off Prohibition-era vibes with its moody color palate, leather loungers, and lively jazz trio playing for the crowd. The Oyster Society 's extensive raw bar includes classics like shrimp cocktail, caviar service, and, of course, oysters from around the country. A sushi bar stationed in the center of the dining room, a selection of chef specialties like the Slash’N Burn Local Snapper, and a Fresh & Simple section with a variety of steak and seafood options (with your choice of cook preparation, sauce, and side) round out the menu. Make sure to leave room for dessert — the carrot cake with warm, spiced cream cheese frosting and candied carrot hay is the stuff of legend on Marco Island.

Doreen’s Cup of Joe

Set in a small strip mall, Doreen’s Cup of Joe has a warm farmhouse feel: chalkboards with specials, rooster statues, and handwritten missives adorn the walls and shelves. The breakfast and lunch hot spot is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The menu features local products like Bradley’s Country Store sausage patties from Tallahassee and freshly squeezed Florida orange juice. But the star on the menu is the Crunchy French Toast coated in cornflakes with a tender cinnamon interior and served with pure Vermont maple syrup.

LagunaticPhoto/Getty Images

Marco Island’s high season runs from October through May, coinciding with stone crab season , when the local delicacies are harvested and served in restaurants around the Paradise Coast. The weather is temperate, hurricane season has passed, and businesses are fully open. It's also the pricier time to visit. Great deals can be found during the shoulder season (June through September).

Visit in March to catch Crane’s favorite annual event, the Marco Island National Fine  Art Show , a two-day event filled with work by more than 90 artists from around the country, including painting, jewelry, sculpture, glasswork, and ceramics. Local chefs provide tasty bites to enjoy while perusing pieces and meeting artists.

Approximately two hours from Fort Lauderdale and three hours from Tampa, Marco Island is easily reachable by car. If flying, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is the closest — 48 miles — and has service from all major airlines daily. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Tampa International Airport (TPA) are also options, though will require a longer commute.

Keewaydin Island

Located between Marco Island and Naples, Keewaydin Island is accessible only by boat. With eight miles of untouched white sand, this barrier island is a quiet spot for some uninterrupted shelling. It's the only pet-friendly beach in the Naples/Marco Island area, and the Hemingway Water Shuttle departs from Marco Island seven times daily; well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on board. Though no amenities are available on the island, a food boat called Just Beachy Burgers & More parks just offshore between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. most days for hungry beachgoers wanting to try burgers, grouper sandwiches and tacos, hot dogs, fries, and other snacks.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Just 12 miles down Highway 41 from Marco Island, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is best accessed by boat. The refuge mainland can be reached via the Marsh Trail, a mile-long hiking and biking route that also features canoe and kayak areas, a two-story observation tower overlooking the marsh, and an adjacent parking lot. Visitors are treated to a wealth of biological diversity, including thousands of water birds, loggerhead sea turtles, and manatees feeding within the estuary. You may even catch a bald eagle soaring over the open water or an alligator observing the scene.

There’s no getting around it — you need to rent a car to get the full experience on Marco Island. Luckily, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers has all the major companies like Enterprise, Avis, and Budget. Once on Marco Island, there are several bike, golf cart, and scooter rental shops. Generous bike lanes surround the island, making it easy to navigate without a car. Uber also services the island for those who prefer to avoid driving. But if experiencing the abundant nature just a stone’s throw from Marco Island is on the agenda, opt for a rental.

Another popular option is Crabby Cabbie . For just $5, you can get a ride anywhere on Marco Island, and for three dollars more, you can visit nearby Goodland , home to a population under 400. Crane described the destination as a “drinking village with a fishing problem.”

Related Articles

Top Macquarie Island Tours & Cruises in 2025

• Start Date Select Month August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 July 2026 OR, More specific start
• Small Ship Cruises
• Wildlife & Safari Exploration
• Photography Seminars
• Whale Watching
• Wildlife Viewing
• Adventure Options
• Land & Sea Exploration
• Stand Up Paddle Boarding
• Douglas Mawson
• Heritage Adventurer
• Scenic Eclipse II
• Macquarie Island

Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

• Visit the best islands for birding
• See the Albatross Latitudes
• Marvel at diverse seabird colonies
• Learn about nature and history

In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

• Visit the Ross Sea region
• Experience nature on a grand scale
• View relics of early exploration
• Observe penguins, seals, and whales
• Enjoy shore landings on islands

Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: New Zealand and Australia's Subantarctic Islands

• Explore Macquarie Island
• Venture on Zodiac excursions
• View a vast array of endemic birds
• Appreciate the rich biodiversity
• Enjoy additional discovery by kayak

Mawson’s Antarctica

• Cruise through Antarctica
• Witness Adélie and emperor penguins
• Explore Commonwealth Bay
• Encounter New Zealand wildlife

Scott & Shackleton's Antarctica - Ross Sea Expedition

• Spot incredible wildlife
• Explore unique flora and fauna
• Follow the paths of explorers
• Marvel at pristine ice formations

Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife

• Explore Hobart
• Discover Macquarie Island
• Experience Balleny Islands
• Explore Sturge Island
• Experience Antarctica's Ross Sea

Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast

• Explore Queenstown
• Discover Milford Sound
• Witness Balleny Islands
• Explore the Terra Nova Hut

Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

• Explore the Snares Islands
• Enjoy a guided walk on Ulva Island
• View fur seals, sea lions, & seals
• See Fiordland Crested penguins

South Pacific Travel Guide

• All South Pacific Trips
• All South Pacific Videos
• All South Pacific Travel Stories
• Papua New Guinea Overview
• Fiji Overview
• Marquesas Islands Overview
• Tahiti Overview
• The Solomon Islands Overview
• When to Visit the South Pacific
• Easter Island

Favorite South Pacific All Trips

• Cook Islands & Society Islands
• Hawaiian Seascapes
• Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands

Top Macquarie Island Travel Destinations

• South Pacific

Macquarie Island Trips by Departure Date

• 2024 Macquarie Island trips (6)
• 2025 Macquarie Island trips (9)
• 2026 Macquarie Island trips (9)
• January 2026 (8)

Top Experiences in Macquarie Island

• Macquarie Island Cruises (16)
• Macquarie Island Small Ship Cruises (16)
• Macquarie Island Wildlife & Safari Exploration (11)
• Macquarie Island Active (4)

Macquarie Island Trips by Activity

• Macquarie Island wildlife viewing (16)
• Macquarie Island kayaking (7)
• Macquarie Island whale watching (7)
• Macquarie Island adventure options (5)
• Macquarie Island photography seminars (4)
• Macquarie Island land & sea exploration (3)
• Macquarie Island stand up paddle boarding (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.