11 Dec 2016

Expedition Lands At Macquarie Island Scientific Base

We had a favourable transit from Auckland Islands to Macquarie Island with mighty wandering albatross guiding us as we closed in on the Australian island fondly known as 'Macca'.  The crossing included one day at sea with conditions of N-NW winds up to 30 knots and moderate swell pushing us South.

We headed around the northern point of Macquarie Island and into Hasselborough Bay on the western side to land at the scientific base that boasts links back as far as Mawson's expeditions.  This was our first landing on Macquarie Island and the 25 knot southerly wind and swell was expected to decrease as the day wore on.  Huge elephant seals barely lifted their heads and fearless king penguins watched on as we landed the zodiacs through a small beachbreak and headed off to explore the station and surrounds.  Visiting this active and friendly base is always a treat and expedirioners enjoyed the hospitality of the Australian staff as well as enjoying the rich wildlife that surrounds the base.  Gentoo penguins, Rockhoppers and even an adolescent leopard seal were sighted, much to the delight of expeditioners, on the beaches and rocks in the surrounds of the station as some blue skies appeared over us.  

 During our late lunch the captain moved the ‘Spirit of Enderby’ down to Lusitania Bay and with sea conditions dropping we headed out for a zodiac cruise in front of the massive King Penguin colony.  A highlight was the hude number of Royal and King penguins that porpoised past the zodiacs as we made our way along the beach, and the continued as we bade our goodbyes and headed back to our trusty ship for dinner and reflection of our awesome day on ‘Macca’.