05 Mar 2016

2 Feb Voyage: Shokalskiy Snares Cruising

Although conditions were a little choppy and drizzly, three Zodiacs ventured out to investigate the Snares Islands at 0800 this morning, with a second group embarking at 0930 despite the rain becoming more persistent.  It was a superb way to finish what has been a spectacularly successful expedition. Zodiacs navigated through a tunnel in the rocks to a sheltered inlet which provides a haven for the local wildlife. There were numerous Snares Crested Penguins and Sea Lions who delighted everyone by swimming around the boats. Albatross swooped off the rock face, attending to chicks which sat calling from their nests high up the cliff.

We set sail on the homeward stretch to Christchurch soon after everyone was back aboard. The going was a little on the rocky side for the first few hours and then the winds abated so things were a little smoother as we tracked northwards up the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.