In this Expedition Spotlight, Founder Sven Lindblad reveals more about the historic first Antarctica Direct sailing and why experience matters when exploring the White Continent.
In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's photos from the field feature romantic sunrises and sunsets from Vietnam and Baja California, animal courtships in the Galápagos, and undersea heart-hands in French Polynesia.
This week's photos from the field included sunsets in Baja California, animal close-ups in the Galápagos Islands and penguins in Antarctica and South Georgia Island.
This week's photos from the field included iconic bird species in the Galápagos Islands, a pod of dolphins in Baja California, and an underwater cave in the South Pacific.
Learn how guests aboard select voyages with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions can observe research and conservation in action through the Science at Sea program.
This morning, we awoke at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, a protected natural area established in 1995. Some guests hopped in pangas to snorkel the northernmost coral reef in the Americas, observing balloon fish, Moorish idols, damselfish, rays, and more! Others opted for a drier morning to search for whales. Cabo Pulmo is often a place where humpback whale moms birth their calves and a safe place to raise them in their early weeks of life. We were lucky to see mom and calf pairs breaching. However, the real surprise was the huge number of gray whales congregating off Cabo Pulmo. Many adult whales even approached the panga boats within arm’s reach! This was a record-breaking number for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, not only to see so many gray whales, but especially their friendliness. Even the local panga drivers were in shock at the numbers and behavior! National Geographic Venture was buzzing for the rest of the day after such a special and eventful morning.
We began the day at Boca de Soledad where we spent the morning watching the incredible gray whales. Several mothers with calves and a few curious males approached the boat, offering guests a rare close-up view. The waters and clear skies made for an ideal whale watching experience. In the afternoon, we transited to Hull Canal, with guests on the bow scanning the water, air, and land for wildlife. We observed a variety of seabirds, including frigatebirds and brown pelicans. Dolphins were also spotted swimming gracefully below the bow. The surrounding desert hills added a striking backdrop to the wildlife sightings. The day ended with a stunning sunset, marking another unforgettable day filled with breathtaking wildlife encounters in Baja California Sur.
Welcome to the mystical, magical islands of the Marquesas. Today, National Geographic Orion has arrived in the bay of Puamau on the island of Hiva Oa. We were welcomed by the local people with melodious music and leis, something we have been accustomed to with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ relationships and connections over the years with these amazing communities in this region. Unfortunately, this is bittersweet as this is our last visit for some time to come as we move on to other adventures. Guests were taken onto sacred grounds witnessing the spiritual power of these intimate places of solace and reverence. The tikis represent ancestors and warriors, with platforms representing royalty and kingship. It was a day filled with cultural experiences appreciated by all guests.
We woke to the sound of growlers bumping into the hull of National Geographic Explorer as we sailed into Andvord Bay en route to Neko Harbour. Neko Harbour is comprised of the only section of ice-free rocks in a bay surrounded by tidewater glaciers and the place a colony of gentoo penguins chose to make their summer home. Our guests had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views over the glacier from the lower ground or to hike up to a viewpoint overlooking it. The hike wasn’t easy, but everybody agreed it was worth it. Halfway through the morning, katabatic winds came for a visit, and for a little while we got to experience how powerful nature can be this far south. We repositioned to Cuverville Island for our afternoon landing and, fortunately, the wind didn’t follow us. The island offered us more gentoo penguins, luxurious vegetation (for Antarctica), and a bay filled with grounded icebergs. A lot of the penguin chicks are getting close to fledging time, and we were amazed by numerous scenes where the chicks were running after their parents to beg for food.
As we sail north across the Drake Passage, we bid farewell to Antarctica, still awed by its icy grandeur. Though leaving the White Continent is never easy, the energy on board remains high, with guests immersing themselves in shipboard activities—attending presentations, scanning the horizon for seabirds and whales, pampering in the Sanctuary, and reflecting on unforgettable moments. The open bridge invites curious minds to chat with officers and naturalists or simply take in the vast seascape. And while our expedition winds down, the comforts of National Geographic Endurance offer a welcome chance to unwind after multiple long days of exploration.
