New Zealand - Subantarctic Islands: Galapagos of the Southern Ocean 2023 - 25 Nov 2023 - 06 Dec 2023 (12 days)
USD8,450
Spaces Available
Tour price (Per person): EUR7,846 * GBP6,913 * USD8,450 * AUD12,664
Overview Tour Facts Top Birds
You won’t find them mentioned in a travel agent’s brochure; you won’t find them in most guidebooks, you probably don’t know anyone who has ever been there, and they don’t even appear on some maps of the South Pacific – these are the ‘forgotten islands’. Despite their low profile, they are among the most remarkable wildlife reserves in the Southern Ocean, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites and afforded the highest protection of any nature reserves in New Zealand. Remote, uninhabited and on no regular shipping route, access is further restricted by a strict Management Plan which limits the number of people allowed ashore each year.
Host to the world’s most diverse collection of seabirds: more than 40 species – at least 11% of the entire world’s seabirds – breed in the subantarctic area. Land birds and small invertebrates are also surprisingly numerous and diverse, and in some cases exceedingly rare. The diversity of land birds indicates just how long these islands have been isolated, with no fewer than 15 species being subantarctic endemics. Our expedition visits four of the six island groups, namely Snares, the Aucklands, Macquarie and Campbell. There is no other comparable expedition in the world for an introduction and understanding of the dynamic and species-rich southern ocean eco-system, making this is a “must do” expedition for the avid naturalist!
Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.
Auckland & Campbell Teal, King, Gentoo, Snares, Southern Rockhopper, Royal, Yellow-eyed & Little Penguin, Wilson’s, Grey-backed & Black-bellied Storm Petrel, Wandering, Antipodean, Southern Royal, Light-mantled, Black-browed, Campbell, Shy, Salvin’s, Grey-headed & Buller’s Albatross, Mottled, Cook’s & White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Campbell, Macquarie & Auckland Shag, South Island & Variable Oystercatcher, Subantarctic & Snares Snipe, White-fronted Tern, New Zealand Falcon, Red-crowned Parakeet, New Zealand Bellbird, Tomtit, New Zealand Fernbird, New Zealand Pipit.
Top Mammals New Zealand Sea Lion, New Zealand Fur, Southern Elephant and Leopard Seals, Dusky Dolphin, Southern Right, Sperm, Bryde’s, Long-finned Pilot and Killer Whales
Max Group Size according to ship capacity
Tour Pace & Walking Relaxed
Accommodation comfortable expedition cruise ship
Ease of Birding mostly undemanding
Photographic Opportunities Excellent to extraordinary
Tour Route Map 
Client Testimonials
Client Testimonials Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
Tour Enquiry
An expedition of a lifetime well worth every penny! As a member of the Survivors of 2019 Club it was a very special tour. From the outstanding service by the expedition staff and crew on the extremely comfortable Quark Ocean Diamond to the always fabulous Rockjumper guides including Glen and Keith Valentine and Mark Beevers, it was the trip of a lifetime. The totally unexpected closeup sightings of Emperor Penguins and the tens of thousands of the six other penguin species was so much fun. Fur Seals and Elephant Seals sunbathed on the beaches as the many species of seabirds flew overhead. The trip to the Black-browed Albatross nesting sight was like something you only expect to see on tv. I felt the Quark crew and the Rockjumper guides went out of their way to make sure everyone had the perfect and safe trip.
An expedition of a lifetime well worth every penny! As a member of the Survivors of 2019 Club it was a very special tour. From the outstanding service by the expedition staff and crew on the extremely comfortable Quark Ocean Diamond to the always fabulous Rockjumper guides including Glen and Keith Valentine and Mark Beevers, it was the trip of a lifetime. The totally unexpected closeup sightings of Emperor Penguins and the tens of thousands of the six other penguin species was so much fun. Fur Seals and Elephant Seals sunbathed on the beaches as the many species of seabirds flew overhead. The trip to the Black-browed Albatross nesting sight was like something you only expect to see on tv. I felt the Quark crew and the Rockjumper guides went out of their way to make sure everyone had the perfect and safe trip.
I had a wonderful time, I give the highest rating to the staff and crew. Our Rockjumper guide, Holly Faithfull was terrific. She made the cruise, which was excellent, even better!
I have been on other Rockjumper tours so I knew to expect excellent guides and was not disappointed. I was also very impressed with Quark Expeditions they were great. I would also like to add that Sarah Dell made the process prior to the cruise a comfortable experience. She responded to my questions quickly and was very patient in going over things that she had already covered months before
This long-awaited culmination of the cruise-that-first-failed satisfied everything I had hoped to experience. The Quark staff did a fantastic job (after that first sit-down meal), and the Rockjumper guides were always around and available to point out birds and things of interest. I am so happy to have this one "under-the-belt" so I now feel more free to make other plans. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know all the Rockjumper guides in a more personal and relaxed mode than we seem to have on regular tours. They all continue to amaze me with their knowledge, wide interests, and willingness to share this lore with others.