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National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Cruises

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Expedition Stories

Explore with National Geographic Experts: Photographing Arctic Svalbard with Nick Cobbing

In this episode of Explore with National Geographic Experts, see how National Geographic Photography Expert Nick Cobbing helps travelers photograph Svalbard.

8 Stunning UNESCO Sites to Explore in the Mediterranean

Discover an array of soul-stirring, historic sites that you can explore in the Mediterranean when you sail aboard the National Geographic Orion.

What to Expect: Days at Sea

In this episode of What to Expect, learn how the experiences and amenities on board your ship will make days at sea just as enriching as your time on land.

Daily expedition reports

Daily Expedition Reports

10/25/2024

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National Geographic Orion

Great Barrier Island

In Northern New Zealand, across the Hauraki Gulf, we visited the small and beautiful Great Barrier Island. This stunning location with its temperate forest is well known for its scenic beauty and wilderness. Thanks to the considerable efforts of private landowners working with the Department of Conservation, small reserves have been established to provide a sanctuary free from introduced predators. The forests are alive with birdsong again because of these efforts. We enjoyed the warm sunshine and hiked the local trails to take in the forest and the stunning views from the tops of the hills. In the afternoon some of us visited a manuka oil distillery of a small, local, family business. It was a full and fun day of exploration.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/24/2024

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Columbia River

Talk about sun, water, and views! Our lovely day cruising through the Columbia River Gorge included plenty of sun time on the bow, a riveting presentation from Naturalist Paddy on the westward adventures of Lewis and Clark, along with learning about salmon damns from Naturalist Kylee. After more bird watching off the bow in the afternoon, including several hundred American white pelicans and a few exciting loons (!), our wine specialist Kristine presented to a full audience on the mechanics and creativity of wine tasting. We ended our day faced with a gorgeous sunset and Mount Hood as we transited 113 feet down in the John Day Damn Lock.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/24/2024

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National Geographic Sea Bird

Palouse River

After spending the night at the confluence of the Snake and Palouse rivers, we enjoyed an early breakfast featuring scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. This morning, we visited Palouse Falls and took Zodiac trips up the amazing Palouse River. This landscape tells a story. Eighteen million years ago, giant basaltic lava flows began oozing from a hot spot of molten rock nearly 300-miles wide, centered in present day southern Oregon. Between seventeen to six million years ago, cracks opened at weak spots in the earth’s crust in eastern Washington, spewing molten lava over 70,000 square miles. This occurred more than 300 times, each layer up to hundreds of feet thick. More recently, beginning 18,000 years ago, gigantic and cataclysmic Ice Age floods carved the land into channeled scablands, the deeply scarred features we see today. The torrential floods carved the Palouse River Canyon rapidly. We investigated these forces by driving Zodiacs up the Palouse River, seeing fall colors, and visiting Palouse Falls. In the afternoon we transited the lock at Little Goose and at twilight, Lower Granite Dam.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/24/2024

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National Geographic Quest

Holandes Cayes, Panama

Last night, National Geographic Quest crossed the border from Colombia to Panama. Today we woke up to azure Caribbean waters and dotted islands covered in coconut palms. These Islands, as well as a long part of the Panamanian coast, is home to the Guna people. The magic of this remote corner of the Caribbean Sea is not only in its perfect beaches, diverse coral reefs, and scenic landscapes, but also in the fascinating culture of its inhabitants. After snorkeling, kayaking, and taking the informative, “coconut walk”, the Guna delighted us with their traditional dances and music. We had as many coconuts as we wanted and got to see the molas, or the traditional cloth art, that characterizes this specific culture.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/24/2024

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National Geographic Islander II

Santiago Island

The last day of our expedition ended at Santiago Island. What a day we enjoyed! Several rounds of kayaking were offered at Buccaneer Cove, then we deployed our glass bottom Zodiac and off our guests went for an exploration of the underwater world. Later, we went into the water and the snorkeling was exhilarating. We saw huge schools of colorful fish feeding on the plankton right at the sea surface. White tipped reef sharks were seen too. The afternoon was spent at Puerto Egas where an incredible hike was offered. We became explorers along the coastal area where the intertidal zone offered amazing sightings, such as marine iguanas, yellow warblers, Galapagos sea lions, brown pelicans, and a breathtaking landscape.

Joining National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions on any voyage means signing up for adventure; and the reward for your curiosity is inevitable—the most exhilarating experience of pure discovery possible.

Sven Lindblad

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1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348