Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: Subantarctic Islands
New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands
Experience Highlights
- Penguin Encounters: Photograph four penguin species in their remote island habitats— the King, Rockhopper, Royal, and the rare Snares Crested penguins.
- Southern Ocean Giants: Observe Elephant Seals and Fur Seal colonies along rugged, wind-carved coastlines. This is also the home of the Wandering Albatross, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world.
- Field Work & Floating Classroom: Expedition cruising provides the perfect balance of time in the field and time to learn. Take advantage of personalized image review sessions, lectures and group discssions designed to help refine your skills, elevate your vision, and build a stronger portfolio.
- Comfort and Insight at Sea: Enjoy gourmet meals and learn about the wildlife, ecology and history of the subantarctic region from a team of naturalists while cruising on a vessel purpose built for the polar regions.
At A Glance
Nov 22 - Dec 3, 2026
Starting at: $10,490
Price varies by cabin choice
Deposit: $1,500
Instructor:
Leighton Lum
Difficulty:
Easy
What's Included: Pre/Post cruise transfers; 1 night pre-trip accommodation in Queenstown; Accommodations and Meals Aboard Ship; House beer, wine and soft drinks; Expedition shore excursions; Naturalist’s programs/ Lectures; Photography instruction
What's Not Included: Travel to/from Queenstown, NZ; Tourist visa; Travel insurance; Personal expenses; Meals not specified in itinerary; Laundry; Gratuities; Anything not specifically listed as included
Heritage Expeditions of New Zealand
This trip is offered in partnership with Heritage Expeditions, a family owned New Zealand based company, specializing in expedition cruises and wildlife tours to remote destinations.
Art of Seeing Photography Adventures is acting as a booking agent for Heritage Expeditions. All payments to Art of Seeing, LLC will be forwarded Heritage Expeditions and this trip will be conducted in accordance with their policies, terms and conditions.
For comprehensive details regarding the workshop, company policies, and cabin accommodations, we invite you to visit the official Heritage Expeditions website.
Far Beyond the Beaten Path
New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands are some of the last truly wild places on Earth. This is an expedition for those drawn to remote horizons, where access is rare and nature still leads. Witness how life has adapted to the extremes, in ecosystems that have evolved in near-total isolation.
A Floating Classroom
By booking through Art of Seeing Photography Adventures, you receive an immersive photographic workshop at no additional cost — and the ship-based setting is ideal for in-depth learning
Between landings, the ship is our floating classroom and editing studio. Daily image reviews, discussions, and editing sessions are all elements of our agenda. It’s not just about shooting more—it’s about seeing differently
Ready to Join the Adventure?
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Hawaii native Leighton Lum’s jaw-dropping images simply speak for themselves. Led by his creative eye and passion for adventure, Leighton has traveled the globe to destinations like Africa, South America, Iceland, Indonesia, and Antarctica, leading photography workshops and making his own award-winning photographs. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world he cherishes. Read more about Leighton and see a selection of his images.
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Please note that Art of Seeing’s standard policies do not apply to the Galapagos of the Southern Ocean workshop. This expedition is operated in partnership with Heritage Expeditions. All bookings are subject to their terms and conditions, including cancellation and refund policies.
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight | Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 22 | Arrival Queenstown - Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team. | Queenstown Hotel | D |
| 2 | Nov 23 | Port of Bluff - You have the morning free to explore Queenstown before returning to the hotel for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. Settle into your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship; we will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course to The Snares and our adventure begins. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 3 | Nov 24 | The Snares - North East Island - The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard for sailing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves... Buller’s Albatross breed here from early January onwards. There will be opportunities to view the forests of large tree daisy Olearia lyallii which forms a canopy over much of the island group. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 4 | Nov 25 | Auckland Islands - Enderby Island - The Auckland Islands group was formed by two volcanoes which erupted some 10-25 million years ago. Erosion and glaciation subsequently created the archipelago we know today. Enderby Island, one of the most beautiful islands in this group is named after the same distinguished shipping family as one of our own vessels. This northern most island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. The island was cleared of all introduced animals (pests) in 1994 and both birds and the vegetation, especially the herbaceous plants, are recovering both in numbers and diversity. Our plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare member of the seal family. Beachmaster bulls gather on the beach, defending their harems from younger (ambitious) males to mate with the cows shortly after they have given birth to a single pup. Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion numbers are in a slow decline, for reasons which are not obvious but most probably connected with a nearby squid fishery. During our day ashore there will be several options, some longer walks, some shorter walks and time to spend enjoying the wildlife. The walking is relatively easy. A boardwalk traverses the island to the dramatic western cliffs, from there we follow the coast and circumnavigate the island. Birds that we are likely to encounter include: Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. There is also a very good chance of seeing the Subantarctic Snipe. Other more common species we will see include the Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird, European Starling, Red-billed Gull and Redpoll. On Derry Castle Reef we will look for migratory waders which could include Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and possibly vagrants. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 5 | Nov 26 | Auckland Islands – Carnley Harbour - In the south of the archipelago there is a very large, sheltered harbour rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, Coastwatchers and, of course, scientific parties. We plan to arrive mid-morning entering the harbour through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged, tussock-covered hills. Our activities here today are weather dependent. We have several options. If the weather is fine, there will be an opportunity for the more energetic expeditioners to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. This climb provides magnificent views in all directions, especially over the western entrance to Carnley Harbour, Adams Island and Western Harbour. For those not making the climb there will be an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour and Victoria Passage. Other options include the Tagua Bay Coastwatcher’s hut and lookout which was occupied during the Second World War. We could visit Epigwatt and the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864. All five men aboard survived and lived here for 18 months before sailing their modified dinghy to New Zealand to get help. Two of the survivors wrote books about their ordeal, their first-hand accounts tell us a lot about their time here. Later this afternoon we depart for Macquarie Island. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 6 | Nov 27 | At Sea - As we make our way through an area known as the Furious Fifties in the tumultuous Southern Ocean, we will learn more about the flora and fauna as we prepare for our arrival at Macquarie Island. En route there are great birding opportunities which may include the Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Little Shearwater. We will endeavor to spot the Fairy Prion, Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion – never an easy task – but we should get some great views. Other species to be on the lookout for include the Soft-plumaged Petrel, Mottled Petrel, White-headed Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel and the Black-bellied Storm-Petrel. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 7 | Nov 28 | Macquarie Island - Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder spots of the world” this is the only place in the world where the beautiful Royal Penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins, the King, Gentoo and Rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks; territorial disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens amongst the hundreds of Southern Elephant Seals lolling on the beaches and dunes. On arrival we hope to meet with scientists and Park Rangers based here who will accompany us on all our landings. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 8 | Nov 29 | Macquarie Island - This second day serves as a weather contingency and an opportunity for extended exploration. If weather conditions were challenging yesterday, we will attempt landings again today. Alternatively, if yesterday’s plans went smoothly, we’ll explore new parts of the island or focus on photography in different light and behavioral conditions. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 9 | Nov 30 | At Sea - There will be briefings and lectures on Campbell Island in preparation for our visit there and opportunities for pelagic birding and/or simply relaxing. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 10 | Dec 1 | Campbell Island – Perseverance Harbour- Spend a full day exploring New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic island. Once a sealing and farming site, the island was later used as a wartime coastwatch station and weather research base until 1995. Invasive species were removed through pioneering conservation efforts, making way for the return of rare wildlife such as the Campbell Island Flightless Teal and Snipe. The island’s lush vegetation—praised by botanist Sir Joseph Hooker—has rebounded spectacularly. You’ll have options to explore the island via an extended hike to Northwest Bay or a gentler walk to Col Lyall Saddle, with opportunities to see Southern Royal Albatross and the island’s famed mega herbs. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 11 | Dec 2 | At Sea - At Sea enroute to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and reflect on an amazing experience. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we complete the last few miles of our journey. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
| 12 | Dec 3 | Invercargill – Queenstown-Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at The Snares. | Heritage Adventurer | B-L-D |
Note: This itinerary is our general plan but is subject to change without notice due to weather, logistical considerations or other reasons.
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