Cruise Ports
Snares Islands, Southland, New Zealand cruise port
Australia & Pacific › New Zealand › Subantarctic Islands

Snares Islands, Southland, New Zealand

A predator-free time capsule 200 km south of New Zealand, the Snares teem with millions of seabirds and endemic penguins — all viewable from a Zodiac, since no one is allowed to step ashore.

⚓ Zodiac / scenic cruise (no landings permitted)🕒 Typical call: 3–6 hrs💵 NZD (no shore facilities)🗣️ English🐧 Expedition / wildlife cruise
Docking
No pier — expedition ships use Zodiac cruises; larger ships scenic sail-by only
Walk to Center
0 m — landings are strictly prohibited on all islands
Best For
Wildlife photography, endemic penguins, albatross, seabirds
Don't Miss
Snares Crested Penguin 'slide' at Spooner Cove; sooty shearwater black-cloud at dusk

Getting Ashore

No one goes ashore — the Snares are among the world's most strictly protected islands. Your visit happens entirely from the water.

How You Experience the Snares

  • 1
    Expedition ships: Zodiac cruiseSmall expedition vessels (Ponant, Heritage, Silversea Expeditions, etc.) deploy inflatable Zodiacs for 1–2 hour cruises hugging the eastern shoreline, getting within metres of penguins and seals.
  • 2
    Larger cruise ships: deck viewingMainstream and mid-size ships do a slow scenic pass around the islands. Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens and position yourself on the outer decks early.
  • 3
    DOC permit requiredAll vessels must hold a New Zealand Department of Conservation permit before approaching. Minimum standoff distances from shore and wildlife are enforced.

💡 Pro move: If swells exceed safe limits, Zodiac launches will be cancelled and your ship may bypass the islands entirely — Southern Ocean weather is unpredictable.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

There are no piers, jetties, or docking facilities anywhere in the Snares — protected status means zero permanent visitor infrastructure.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
Expedition cruise lines (Ponant, Heritage, Silversea, Aurora)Zodiac deployment from anchorage off eastern coast📍Tendered
Mainstream / mid-size cruise shipsScenic sail-by, no tender launched📍Tendered

Top Excursions

There are no independent shore excursions — all wildlife experiences are organised and guided by your cruise line.

Wildlife

Zodiac Wildlife Cruise

Board inflatable Zodiacs for a close-up tour of Ho Ho Bay and Spooner Cove, watching Snares Crested Penguins negotiate their granite slide, New Zealand fur seals bask in kelp, and Buller's albatross wheel overhead.

⏱ 1–2 hrs🚤 Zodiac🐧 Endemic penguins📷 Wildlife photography
Book subantarctic expedition cruises →
Wildlife

Sooty Shearwater Dusk Spectacle

If the ship is positioned at dusk, witness millions of sooty shearwaters (tītī) returning to their burrows in a swirling 'black cloud' that darkens the sky — one of nature's great wildlife spectacles.

⏱ 30–60 min🌅 Dusk timing🐦 2.8M breeding pairs
Find subantarctic wildlife tours →
Nature

Pelagic Seabird Watching

The waters surrounding the Snares attract Southern Royal Albatross, Salvin's Albatross, giant petrels, and cape petrels. Expedition naturalists will be on deck to help identify species en route.

⏱ All day underway🔭 Binoculars essential🌊 Open ocean
Find birdwatching expedition cruises →

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Snares Islands, Southland, New Zealand (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy DaysSunriseSunset
Jan56°F / 13°C53°F / 12°C166:15 AM9:50 PM
Feb57°F / 14°C54°F / 12°C157:04 AM9:10 PM
Mar57°F / 14°C53°F / 12°C167:48 AM8:16 PM
Apr56°F / 13°C52°F / 11°C187:32 AM6:14 PM
May54°F / 12°C50°F / 10°C208:13 AM5:25 PM
Jun52°F / 11°C49°F / 9°C188:42 AM5:05 PM
Jul51°F / 11°C47°F / 8°C218:38 AM5:21 PM
Aug50°F / 10°C47°F / 8°C207:58 AM5:59 PM
Sep51°F / 11°C47°F / 8°C176:58 AM6:40 PM
Oct51°F / 11°C47°F / 8°C196:56 AM8:23 PM
Nov52°F / 11°C49°F / 9°C166:05 AM9:11 PM
Dec54°F / 12°C51°F / 11°C165:48 AM9:49 PM

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • 📷
    Bring a telephoto lens. Since you stay on the water, a 100–400mm zoom lets you fill the frame with penguins and seals from the Zodiac.
  • 🧥
    Dress for Antarctic conditions. Temperatures hover 5–11 °C year-round; wind chill in an open Zodiac feels far colder. Waterproof trousers, a windproof jacket, gloves, and a beanie are essential.
  • 💧
    Protect your gear from spray. Salt spray is heavy in Zodiacs. Use a waterproof bag or rain cover for cameras and keep phones in a sealed case.
  • 🌊
    Zodiac ops can be cancelled. The Southern Ocean is notoriously rough — high swells or strong winds may prevent Zodiac deployment. Accept the possibility and enjoy deck viewing as a fallback.
  • 🌱
    Biosecurity is serious. If your cruise visits other subantarctic islands with landings (Campbell, Auckland, Macquarie), expect full boot-scrubbing and clothing checks to prevent introducing seeds or pests.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at Snares Islands, Southland, New Zealand. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

Le Soleal
Ponant Cruises
Round-trip from Dunedin
⚓ Calls 01 Jan 202714 nights10 portsDeparts 2026 Dec 28
View itinerary · 10 ports
14 days, round-trip 14 Night Expedition to New Zealands Subantarctic Islands Cruise
  1. 28 Dec 19:00Departing from Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
  2. 29 DecUlva Island NZ, New Zealand
  3. 30 Dec - 31 DecFiordland National Park, New Zealand
  4. 01 JanSnares Islands NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  5. 02 JanEnderby Island NZ, New Zealand
  6. 02 JanAuckland Island NZ, Musgrave Harbour
  7. 04 Jan - 05 JanMacquarie Island Tasmania, Australia
  8. 07 JanCampbell Island NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  9. 09 JanAntipodes Islands NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  10. 11 JanArriving in Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
Find this cruise to book →
$18470from / pp
Le Soleal
Ponant Cruises
Round-trip from Dunedin
⚓ Calls 15 Jan 202714 nights10 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 11
View itinerary · 10 ports
14 days, round-trip 14 Night Expedition to New Zealands Subantarctic Islands Cruise
  1. 11 Jan 19:00Departing from Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
  2. 12 JanUlva Island NZ, New Zealand
  3. 13 Jan - 14 JanFiordland National Park, New Zealand
  4. 15 JanSnares Islands NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  5. 16 JanEnderby Island NZ, New Zealand
  6. 16 JanAuckland Island NZ, Musgrave Harbour
  7. 18 Jan - 19 JanMacquarie Island Tasmania, Australia
  8. 21 JanCampbell Island NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  9. 23 JanAntipodes Islands NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  10. 25 JanArriving in Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
Find this cruise to book →
$17060from / pp
Le Soleal
Ponant Cruises
Round-trip from Dunedin
⚓ Calls 13 Feb 202721 nights6 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 25
View itinerary · 6 ports
21 days, round-trip 21 Night Scott and Shackletons Antarctic Ross Sea Expedition Cruise
  1. 25 Jan 18:00Departing from Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
  2. 27 JanEnderby Island NZ, New Zealand
  3. 31 Jan - 07 FebRoss Island Antarctica, Scott Base NZ, McMurdo Station USA
  4. 11 FebMacquarie Island Tasmania, Australia
  5. 13 FebSnares Islands NZ, New Zealand Subantarctic
  6. 15 FebArriving in Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
Find this cruise to book →
$31590from / pp

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.