Snares Islands NZ (New Zealand Subantarctic)

Snares Islands (aka The Snares or Tini Heke) is a small archipelago located to the southwest of Stewart Island and approx 200 km (124 mi) south of New Zealand's South Island. The group covers a total area of approx 3,5 km2 (1,4 mi2) and have population under 100.

The Snares consist of North East Island (main/largest), the smaller Broughton Island, as well as the Western Chain Islands - approx 5 km (3 mi) to the southwest. The group was first sighted by Europeans in November 1791 and independently by two British Royal Navy ships - HMS Discovery (commanded by George Vancouver /1757-1798) and HMS Chatham (commanded by William R. Broughton /1762-1821). Both vessels were part of the global Vancouver Expedition (1791-95). Captain Vancouver named the islands "The Snares" as he considered them a shipping threat.

The Snares were well known to the Maori (NZ's indigenous Polynesian people) who named the bigger North East Island Te Taniwha (The Sea-monster). Unlike other subantarctic isles greatly affected by the 19th-century's sealing and whaling, The Snares remained untouched and are currently one of New Zealand's last pristine regions.

Snares Islands are highly protected being rated as "minimum impact islands" by NZ's Department of Conservation. Cruise ships usually only navigate around them and occasionally anchor at sea for passengers to enjoy the coastline scenery and wildlife as landing on the isles is prohibited. The only exceptions (via special research permits) are for science expeditions.

The Snares are among the five subantarctic island groups that form the UNESCO Site "New Zealand Subantarctic Islands" - together with Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Islands.

In 2020, The Snares were included in the schedule of Ponant's 2018-built superyacht Le Laperouse. Next table shows ship's 15-day itinerary from Tasmania to NZ.

Prices started from ~USD 8800 per person (double-occupancy cabin rates).