One of the planet's most remote wildlife sanctuaries, Macquarie Island hosts the world's only Royal Penguin breeding colony alongside thundering elephant seal harems and millions of seabirds — all on a windswept UNESCO World Heritage plateau in the Southern Ocean.
There is no pier or dock at Macquarie Island — all landings use Zodiac inflatable boats, and going ashore is subject to weather and sea conditions.
💡 Pro move: No facilities onshore — no café, no toilets, no shelter. Bring everything you need. Landings are managed by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife under strict permit conditions.
Macquarie Island has no port infrastructure — all access is via Zodiac inflatable boat from anchored expedition ships.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition lines (Ponant, Heritage Expeditions, Oceanwide, Apex) | Zodiac from anchor — The Isthmus or Sandy Bay📍 | Tendered |
| All other vessels | Zodiac landing — subject to permit and conditions📍 | Tendered |
Macquarie Island has no commercial tour operators — all excursions are guided by your ship's expedition team as part of your voyage.
The world's only Royal Penguin breeding ground. A timber boardwalk leads through a colony of hundreds of thousands of noisy, curious birds. King penguins, gentoos, and rockhoppers share the same beach with elephant seals.
Book sub-Antarctic expedition →The northern landing site hosts Australia's Antarctic Division research station (operating since 1948), massive gentoo penguin colonies, and haul-out beaches packed with Southern elephant seals during the January molt.
Book sub-Antarctic expedition →When landings are unsafe, ship Zodiacs cruise close to the wave-battered cliffs. Spot wandering albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, and fur seals on rock ledges — often spectacular photography without setting foot ashore.
Book expedition cruise →Sandy Bay and the Nuggets area preserve rusting digesters, grave sites, and hut remnants from 19th-century sealing and elephant oil industries. Your expedition guides interpret this dark chapter alongside the island's conservation comeback.
Book expedition cruise →Around 3.5 million seabirds of 13 species nest annually on Macquarie, including wandering, black-browed, grey-headed, and light-mantled sooty albatrosses. Ship-based or Zodiac sightings are extraordinary.
Book expedition cruise →Walking on Macquarie Island is strictly guided — no independent exploration — but the boardwalk routes at both landing sites are accessible and extraordinary.
A well-maintained timber boardwalk winds through tussock grass and Royal Penguin colonies at Sandy Bay. The northern end of the beach has the most accessible King Penguin groupings, while elephant seals sprawl between them.
📍 Open in MapsWalk from the Zodiac landing beach around the research station to the Razorback viewpoint, overlooking black sand beaches and the island's distinctive oceanic crust geology. Gentoo penguin superhighways cross the path.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Macquarie Island, Tasmania, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F / 6°C | 39°F / 4°C | 19 | 4:14 AM | 8:52 PM |
| Feb | 43°F / 6°C | 40°F / 4°C | 18 | 5:18 AM | 7:57 PM |
| Mar | 43°F / 6°C | 39°F / 4°C | 20 | 6:15 AM | 6:50 PM |
| Apr | 42°F / 6°C | 38°F / 3°C | 20 | 6:14 AM | 4:33 PM |
| May | 40°F / 4°C | 36°F / 2°C | 23 | 7:09 AM | 3:31 PM |
| Jun | 39°F / 4°C | 34°F / 1°C | 20 | 7:46 AM | 3:03 PM |
| Jul | 38°F / 3°C | 34°F / 1°C | 20 | 7:38 AM | 3:23 PM |
| Aug | 38°F / 3°C | 33°F / 1°C | 21 | 6:45 AM | 4:13 PM |
| Sep | 38°F / 3°C | 33°F / 1°C | 21 | 5:31 AM | 5:08 PM |
| Oct | 38°F / 3°C | 34°F / 1°C | 21 | 5:16 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C | 36°F / 2°C | 17 | 4:10 AM | 8:08 PM |
| Dec | 41°F / 5°C | 38°F / 3°C | 19 | 3:43 AM | 8:56 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Macquarie Island, Tasmania, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.