Ahurei Aotearoa, unique New Zealand a country of stunningly beautiful land, seascapes and wildlife

We invite you to discover the wild and untouched beauty of New Zealand’s Fiordland and Subantarctic Islands onboard Ponant Le Soleal.

We embark on a 15-day expedition aboard Ponant Le Soleal, departing from Port Chalmers, Dunedin, where you’ll be transported to a world where wildlife reigns supreme and you are a mere visitor.

Leaving Port Chalmers, we cruise to Ulva Island, the location of Paterson Inlet, which is renowned as an extraordinary nature sanctuary. Ponant’s team of naturalists and destination experts will be on hand to show you some of the rarest bird species in the world.

We continue onto the Snares Islands, a haven for wildlife with some 35,000 endemic Snares Gorfous and a colony of around a thousand fur seals before discovering Macquarie Island, part of Australia.

Known as the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand offer some of the best-preserved and protected environments on Earth. Prepare to be captivated by breathtaking scenery, colourful meadows of mega herbs, towering cliffs, and the Royal Albatross’s playground. With numerous penguins patrolling the black sandy beaches, this is truly a nature lover’s dream come true. Our voyage concludes in Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

I invite you to come and join me on this extraordinary experience.

In September 2020, after four decades in the travel industry, I finally visited the breathtaking Fiordland National Park, part of Te Wähipounamu, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site home to the majestic Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Sound. We will have the opportunity to experience a zodiac cruise to view wildlife, get up close to spectacular waterfalls, and onboard Le Soleal, enjoy the vistas from the ship’s outer decks.