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.
We welcomed our day with an early whale search. On our way to Boca de la Soledad, we observed double-crested cormorants, magnificent frigatebirds, white ibis, and great and snowy egrets perched on the white mangroves at the north end of Isla Magdalena. Our panguero, Carlos, pointed out a massive bald eagle nest where an adult was guarding the surroundings. As we passed in front of Isla Pelícano, we saw a large flock of American white pelicans standing out among dozens of brown pelicans. As we got closer to La Boca, we spotted gray whale rainblows, spy hops, and a female with its calf. On our way back to National Geographic Sea Bird , Carlos took us to visit the oyster farm by the abandoned phosphorite mine facilities where we found three osprey nests, and one was active with a chick and an adult. We ended our ride observing a pod of bottlenose dolphins. In the afternoon, we hiked the dunes towards Sand Dollar Beach. Our guests enjoyed the beauty of the landscape. We found tracks of different creatures like coyotes, dune bugs, and birds. After dinner we enjoyed the traditional guest slide show. It was a perfect end to a great day.
This morning, National Geographic Quest anchored in front of Barro Colorado Island (BCI), where the sunrise provided a stunning view, perfectly aligned with one of the nearby buoys. After breakfast, some guests visited the Forest Discovery Center (FDC), near Gamboa, part of Soberanía National Park. There, they observed various species of hummingbirds and trogons and had the chance to visit the observation tower for an incredible view of the forest canopy. On the way back from the FDC, they spotted white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and Geoffroy's tamarins. At the same time, guests had the option to explore the island by land or water. Some chose to embark on a Zodiac cruise around the island, exploring its perimeter with a guide while taking in the surrounding wildlife. Others ventured onto the island itself, walking trails frequently used by scientists. On the island, guests spotted spider monkeys, crested guans, and various species of antbirds following the army ants, offering an up-close look at the island’s diverse ecosystem. In the afternoon, we continued our transit through the Panama Canal, heading toward the Culebra Cut where we prepared to enter the Pacific set of locks, making our way toward the Pacific Ocean.
Today our guests explored Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is one of the most biologically diverse islands in the archipelago. It is home to the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Together, these two institutions represent a hub for scientific study and conservation efforts that focus the attention on the restoration of the islands.
Our expedition took us to the youngest and one of the most remote islands in Galapagos. We began our journey at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina Island stepping onto a striking volcanic landscape shaped by recent volcanic eruptions. Among the first signs of life we encountered was a lava cacti with spiny golden stems standing in contrast against barren lava. It is one of the first plants to colonize the lava flows. As we followed the trail, a Galápagos sea lion greeted us, playfully interacting with the tide pools. Moments later, a group of marine iguanas emerged from the rocky shoreline, diving into the shallow waters in search of the precious algae that sustains them. Later in the afternoon, we embarked on a coastal exploration along Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island where the dramatic cliffs and rugged shoreline offered breathtaking views. As we navigated the waters, green Pacific sea turtles surfaced briefly, with their heads breaking the surface in slow and rhythmic movements. Nearby, a Galápagos penguin stood on the rocks while flightless cormorants spread their wings to dry—a fascinating display of evolution in action. The interplay of volcanic rock formations, rich marine life, and striking geological features made for a truly unforgettable experience.
During today’s sunny and breezeless early morning, our guests and staff ventured out in local pangas for whale watching at Almejas Bay, located in the southern section of the Magdalena Bay lagoon complex on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula. With the tide at its highest, our exploration in the heart of the gray whale mating grounds paid off with more than 60 adult whales spotted in the area where our boats were spread out. All the whales were very active, displaying parts of their bodies while spy-hopping, breaching, swimming, diving, and even mating. Several females were seen in a belly-up position, allowing our guests and staff to clearly distinguish genitals and other typically hidden body parts. The whales’ curiosity brought many of them to the sides or underneath the pangas, sometimes pushing or lifting the boats with the tips of their snouts or their bellies. Many of our guests even stretched out their hands to touch the whales! The afternoon was spent exploring the beach and hills around Puerto Magdalena, a quaint fishing community on Magdalena Island. During a hike, our guests had their first encounter with the unique flora of the Baja California Desert, including agave, palo adan, gongylocarpus flowers, prickly pear, galloping cacti, jojoba, and others. From the top of the hills, they were treated to magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
