Wander along black volcanic sand beaches on Macquarie Island, mingle with 800,000 Royal Penguins, or visit the bird-heavy Snares Island with Ponant and CruiseAlong. Often referred to as ‘The Galapagos of the Southern Ocean’, these UNESCO World Heritage Subantarctic Islands are full of undisturbed wildlife. Protected by their remoteness, they are breeding grounds for vast colonies of penguins and home to pods of orcas, fur seals and sea lions.
“Almost half the world’s albatross and penguin species reside here in a pristine environment where tourism, frankly, does not exist”, observes Mick Fogg, who will be heading the Ponant Expedition Team in 2019.
Along with Macquarie Island and Fiordland National Park, the Subantarctic Islands represent the best of the world’s natural heritage, rating alongside the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Canyon, Galapagos and Mount Everest – with far fewer visitors.
Lance Mumby, Owner & Manager of CruiseAlong, said: “Following the 2018 sell-out voyage, I am pleased to announce that in 2019 CruiseAlong will again provide the opportunity to visit these extraordinary Subantarctic Islands. CruiseAlong is offering a convenient all-inclusive 17-night expedition voyage that includes flights from Australia and overnight accommodation in addition to the voyage itself.”
“Departing Dunedin on 22 February 2019, explore New Zealand’s fiords and the Subantarctic Islands onboard Ponant’s brand new purpose-built luxury expedition ship Le Laperouse. To be launched in mid-2018, this small ship, with just 92 suites and staterooms, all with balconies, will provide an exceptional ‘base camp’ for daily activities as we explore with the specialist expedition team.”“This is no expedition ‘in extremis’”, continues Lance. “Luxury and creature comforts abound onboard, including an infinity-edge swimming pool, spa, lecture theatre, boutique, open bar, 24-hour room service and a world-first underwater lounge with glass windows looking out to the marine environment. Underwater microphones will pick up the sounds of dolphins and whales talking …. Imagine, having a cocktail while listening to the marine world surrounding you and seeing fish just outside.”
Subantarctic Expedition overview: 16 nights CruiseAlong Subantarctic Islands voyage departs from Dunedin, New Zealand, on 22 February 2019, bound for Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds and then on to The Snares and Auckland Islands and Australia’s Macquarie Island. This expedition includes Campbell, Antipodes and Bounty Islands en-route returning to Dunedin.