Mawson's Antarctica, Commonwealth Bay

Meet your fellow voyagers and expedition staff for an informal get-together over dinner at the hotel, where you will stay overnight.

We transfer you to the port where staff will welcome you on board the Akademik Shokalskiy and as you settle into your cabin, our adventure begins.

North East Island is the largest of The Snares and staggeringly, this one island is claimed by some to be home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles together. Zodiac cruising the rugged coastline we learn how the islands got their name and encounter Snares crested penguins, Cape petrel and Buller’s albatross on the imposing cliffs. We are also likely to encounter Antarctic terns, White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, tomtits and fernbirds.

Characterised by towering cliffs and rugged sea stacks, these islands have borne witness to many a shipwreck in days gone by. We spend the day ashore on Enderby Island which is perhaps the most beautiful of all the Subantarctic Islands. Here we find parakeets flitting above carpets of red, white and yellow wild flowers and on the beaches beyond, the rare Hooker’s or New Zealand sea lion. We land in Carnley Harbour and if conditions are suitable climb to a shy albatross colony, otherwise we explore sites within the harbour.

Spend time on deck spotting birds and enjoy lectures from our on board experts.

Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder spots of the world” this is the only place in the world where the beautiful royal penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins, the king, gentoo and rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks; territorial disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens amongst the hundreds of southern elephant seals lolling on the beaches and dunes. On arrival we meet with scientists and park rangers based here who will accompany us on all our landings.

Soaring albatross and petrels circle the vessel as we steam ever southward through the Southern Ocean. Lectures now concentrate on the Antarctic region and beyond the bow of the ship; drifting icebergs of extraordinary shapes begin to appear. Manoeuvring in close for your first ice photographs we pass the Antarctic Circle and into the continent’s realm of 24-hour daylight. Relax in the ship’s bar and catch up with some reading in the library. If you have brought your laptop with you there will be time to download and edit photos while they are fresh in your mind.

Our first landing on the remote East Antarctic coastline will be Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay. Notoriously known as the ‘home of the blizzard.’ Here we will see (and experience) Mawson’s Hut and its environs which include other relics from the 1911-14 expedition and Adelie Penguins. West from Cape Denison is the French Research Base, Dumont D’Urville which, if permission is granted and ice conditions permit, we will visit. There is also an Emperor Penguin colony nearby. Breeding season will be over but there could be birds around. Other landings could include Port Martin (abandoned French Base) and the McKellar Islands. We will also cruise in the Zodiacs looking for wildlife.

When we depart from the spectacular icebound majesty of Antarctica, we will have some quieter time at sea to recover from the extensive daylight hours of the Antarctic. There will be the opportunity to relax and download and edit any photos. En route to Campbell Island there will be a series of lectures designed to prepare you for our visit.

We drop anchor in Perseverance Harbour, an occasional refuge for southern right whales who come here to calve. Walk to the nesting site of the southern royal albatross and see the strange and beautiful megaherbs growing on the hills. These huge wild flowers that have adapted to the harsh conditions have unusual colourings and weirdly-shaped leaves. We also seek out other wildlife such as Campbell Island shags, light-mantled sooty albatross and sea lions.

At sea en route back to Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and enjoy our last day of shipboard life and to reflect on an amazing experience. On your last evening we will review and celebrate our discoveries over a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Invercargill for onward or return travel