15 Mar 2021

Zodiac Cruising an Antipodean Wonderland

The ragged cliffs and coastal faces of the Antipodes Islands loomed darkly out of the morning mist.

As Spirit of Enderby neared, williwaws danced through the narrow gap between the mainland and 70 metre vertical spire of Leeward Island, our anchorage.

Launching all five Zodiacs, we head north to Alert Bay, skirting fields of floating kelp where curious young New Zealand Fur Seals raise their upper bodies from kelp beds to watch us pass.

We spend the following 3 hours exploring coves and caves; with great sightings of the Antipodean Parakeet, more fleeting views of Reischek's Parakeet, Erect-crested Penguins in moult with a smattering of red-eyed, wild-haired Rockhopper Penguins among them.

The seabirds were also out in numbers including, of course, the huge Antipodean Albatross and dozens of Storm Petrels. We are taking shelter here until this evening, when we'll set sail for the Bounty Islands.

Image from file © M.Potter, Heritage Expeditions