07 Feb 2016

2 Feb Voyage: Shokalskiy Port Ross Landing

We came to anchor overnight between Erebus and Terror Coves in Port Ross at Auckland Island so everyone enjoyed a calm night and the opportunity to eat breakfast in a settled environment. Once we had fuelled the bodies the Zodiacs were launched and we ventured ashore to explore this island which is a conservation area for breeding New Zealand Sea Lions. As we landed we were pleased to see a magnificent dominant bull on the beach, sitting proudly surrounded by his harem of cows and pups. Our group divided into two with some opting to brave the winds and uneven tussock on a 12km hike around the east coast while the rest of the party enjoyed a more sedate 3km board walk. Sea Lion mothers and pups sheltered along the outline of the forest and secretive Yellow- eyed Penguins peeked at us from the bushes. We spotted an albatross chick nestled on the cliffs patiently awaiting the return of its parents with food before we too were lured back to the ship with dinner in mind. During the evening we sailed into the calm waters of Carnley Harbour for the night before setting a course for Macquarie Island some 300 nautical miles south.