Santa Ana Island, 1/5/2025, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
The first stop on our expedition was the island of Santa Ana for a visit with the Gupuna people. Before our anchor was set, we were greeted by a welcoming committee. Children splashed in the water to cool off, and adults brought papaya and coconuts to trade. Once ashore, we were treated to a traditional dance performance that depicted the migration to the island. Afterward, we explored the island and learned about the wonderful people who live in this beautiful paradise.
Photo and caption: Visiting Santa Ana Island. Photo by Steve Morello
Steve Morello has had a long and colorful career in the natural history world. Born in New Jersey, he was lucky to be able to summer on the shores of Cape Cod. Whether it was exploring the tidal pools, snorkeling along the beach, or hiking in the dun...
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After breakfast, we began our day with a morning platform snorkel on a beautiful island reef. The coral and fish life were abundant and diverse. We were back on board for another wonderful lunch while the captain repositioned the ship to the other side of the island. Once set, guests explored a magical tropical beach. Conditions were perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and we even had the stand-up paddleboards available for guests. It was a fantastic day spent mainly in the beautiful and warm tropical waters of Vanuatu.
Heavy rain that poured over the island overnight had cleared by morning, leaving us with cool and calm conditions for our activities of the day. We spent the morning touring the town of Luganville, visiting the local markets and learning about WW2 history at the local museum. Later, the calm and pleasant conditions allowed us to snorkel over the historic sunken wreckage at Million Dollar Point and to view the underwater world being reclaimed by the coral reef and fish communities. In the afternoon, we watched the local cultural performance of the water dance by a group of women from the northern Torres Group of Islands, followed by a visit to the exquisite freshwater limestone springs of the Matevulu Blue Hole.
Today on board National Geographic Orion , we embraced the rhythm of a day at sea, leaving the sight of land behind to seek new horizons and fresh adventures. The day began with Undersea Specialist Rachel giving a fascinating session on coral reef fish identification. We delved into the vibrant world of these remarkable creatures, learning how to recognize various species, understand their roles within the reef ecosystem, and appreciate their stunning diversity. It was a perfect primer for future snorkeling and diving adventures. Later with Steve our Photography Instructor, we turned our attention to the art of iPhone photography with a practical workshop designed to enhance our skills in capturing the essence of our journey. Participants explored techniques to compose stunning images using just a smartphone, ideal for documenting the wonders of our expedition. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the culture and history of Vanuatu with Naturalist Elise’s fascinating presentation on the history of Vanuatu. Through captivating stories and vivid narratives, we explored the traditions, resilience, and rich heritage of this extraordinary island nation. The session deepened our understanding of the region and its profound connection to the sea.
