Today’s expedition took us to one of the crown jewels of the Galápagos Islands, Española, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and striking landscapes. The day offered us a blend of relaxing encounters with marine life and dramatic displays of wildlife along one of the most iconic trails in the archipelago. Our morning began at Gardner Bay, a breathtaking stretch of white sand beach framed by turquoise waters and black lava outcrops. Upon landing, we were greeted by a colony of Galápagos sea lions lounging comfortably along the shoreline. Some curious individuals came close to inspect us as we walked along the beach. In the afternoon, we landed at Punta Suárez, where a starkly different environment awaited. The rocky coastline and dramatic cliffs provided a stunning backdrop for one of the most exciting wildlife hikes in the Galápagos. Our walk took us through nesting grounds of Nazca boobies. The highlight, however, was the waved albatross, endemic to Española and one of the most charismatic species in the archipelago. We were fortunate to observe their fascinating courtship displays—elegant and theatrical, with head bobbing, beak clacking, and sky-pointing rituals.
We started our day early at Punta Cormorant just as the sun came up. Nearby, the rocky outline of Devil’s Crown stood out in the distance. As we landed, sea lions were waiting on the beach, giving us a lively start to the morning. During our walk, we visited a large brackish lagoon that’s known for attracting flamingos. We were lucky to see a few of them, which can be rare depending on the season. The highlight of the day was snorkeling at Champion Islet. The water was calm and clear, and we saw a wide variety of marine life. Sea lions swam nearby, and we spotted plenty of colorful fish. In the afternoon, we went kayaking in a quiet, protected area, sharing the space with sea turtles and rays. We finished the day at Floreana Island’s Post Office Barrel where we joined the tradition of leaving and/or taking a postcard for hand delivery upon our return home. A beautiful sunset ended the day.
Our expedition started with great samples of what the Amazon has to offer. An early skiff ride brought us to a small tributary creek to see many colorful birds and a couple of species of monkeys. After breakfast we hiked on terra firma and spotted more wildlife. During lunch, dolphins surrounded the ship and stayed for a couple hours, giving us an incredible display. In the afternoon, we again explored by skiff and found the noisy squirrel monkey, the only nocturnal species in the area, and several interesting and photogenic birds. What a start to our expedition!
This morning, we awoke to the sun. Our adventures began with a series of hikes at Bartlett Cove, followed by a look at the Tribal House and at Snow, the humpback whale skeleton. We began our cruise north, past wild coastlines to the far extent of Margerie Glacier. Along the way we spotted abundant wildlife, including brown bears, moose, mountain goats, sea otters, sea lions, humpbacks, harbor porpoises, and even a porcupine. Expedition Leader Marylou could barely hold a briefing without getting interrupted by a sighting, but no one on board was complaining!
The fastidious crew of National Geographic Sea Lion tied off their dock lines in beautiful Haines, Alaska, at 0700. Surrounded by snowcapped peaks, Haines offered a postcard-perfect welcome. Guests had their pick of daily adventures, from scenic bike tours to immersive hikes into the surrounding wilderness. Eager to make the most of the day, we fueled up with breakfast and set off for Mount Riley by 0800. The 5.6-mile out-and-back trail challenged us with a 1,500-foot elevation gain, but each step brought greater reward. Along the way, we spotted Devil’s Matchstick lichen—an iconic burst of black atop slender stalks, resembling burnt match sticks. As we climbed higher, breathtaking views of the Chilkat Mountains and Lynn Canal revealed themselves. At the summit, we paused to take in the sweeping vistas, humbled by the scale and silence of Alaska’s wild spaces. It was a moment of shared awe and camaraderie, the kind that forges lasting connections. Afterward, returning to the charming town of Haines felt like re-entering a quiet storybook. This blend of rugged adventure and small-town warmth made the day truly extraordinary.
