Auckland Island (Enderby Island)

As well we are not inclined to party we have an 8:30 start to Enderby Island. This is a small island part of the Auckland Island group. The beach is covered with sea lions and pups. Landing is a little bit tricky as the zodiac driver must be sure not to come too close to the sea lions. On this Island we must be at least 20 m from birds and seals.

One feature of the island is the yellow eyed hoiho penguin and our reward for getting up early is to be able to see them. They fish early in the morning and unlike the penguins we have seen to date, a lot more cautious. They live in the vegetation above the beach and are very timid. Surprisingly we catch sight of them almost as soon as we land. They are critically endangered and only live on Enderby island.

We gather at the top above the beach ready to walk to the other side, unfortunately a large male sea lion is not inclined to let us through. He has taken up residence on the path we just have to wait. The males can be 500 kilos in weight a lot of seal to be confronted with. We eventually start our walk starting through a heavily vegetated part of the island protected from the wind. We emerge from that onto a boardwalk and into the wind. This walk to the other side is not steep bounce the wind is so strong, it is very difficult. We see an amazing array of vegetation particularly the mega herbs. I spot a tiny white sun orchid, hard to see and not many of them. We see albatross and shags.

Quick dash back to the ship for lunch and out again for a zodiac tour around the island. This time the focus is on the geology, particularly the rocks very evidently part of a volcanic eruption. We see another two Hoiho penguins as well as many shags nesting on the rocks huddled into the cliff top.Leggi altro