Navy vet Neil O'Connor was a guest aboard National Geographic Orion this past season. Here is the story of this 91 year old's poignant return to the island of Attu in the Aluetian Islands chain.
See spectacular wildlife photos taken aboard National Geographic Orion in the Bering Sea. National Geographic photographers captured brown bears, arctic fox, killer whales, bald eagles and many other animals in the region.
The islands and coasts that ring the Bering Sea are teeming with birdlife and fascinating land mammals like muskox, arctic fox, and brown bears; while the surrounding waters are churning with whales, seals, otters, and more.
Inhabited mainly by wildlife and strikingly picturesque, the Kuril Islands are a land of extremes—of snow and volcanoes, of sea lions and arctic foxes. Learn more about this remote and remarkable place.
Santa Elena Bay, nestled within the stunning Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica, offers a breathtaking blend of unspoiled nature and serene ocean beauty. Approaching the bay from the sea is a captivating experience, as the turquoise waters meet rugged cliffs and lush greenery. Our journey begins with gentle waves lapping our pangas and Zodiacs with the calls of seabirds echoing in the distance. As the bay unfolds, its pristine, crescent-shaped shoreline reveals a golden beach framed by dense tropical forests. The untouched wilderness is a sanctuary for wildlife, where howler monkeys can be heard in the canopy and deer sometimes wander near the shore. Santa Rosa National Park, beyond the bay, boasts a rich biodiversity and a storied history as the site of Costa Rica’s legendary Battle of Santa Rosa. Exploring its trails offers glimpses of ancient trees, orchids, and panoramic views of the Pacific. The visit to Santa Elena Bay is a harmonious blend of adventure and tranquility, a reminder of the raw beauty and ecological richness that Costa Rica proudly preserves. A place where nature reigns supreme.
We started our day with a Zodiac ride around Punta Vicente Roca. We also had an amazing snorkel excursion among turtles and sea lions. In the afternoon, we topped off a lovely day with an amazing walk on lava at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, which happens to be an island so pristine that it doesn’t have feral mammals. What it does have is a lava field full of iguanas. This area started to erode, changing the entire topography of the island, making it perfect for these iguanas to find sedimentary areas to nest.
We are back among the center islands of Galapagos, and the day started with a pre-breakfast Zodiac ride where we had the chance to observe the seabirds of the area in action. We enjoyed several excursions throughout the day, always admiring the beauty of this part of the world. We finished this wonderful day with a delicious open-air barbecue on the observation deck under the stars.
National Geographic Resolution, our trusty expedition vessel, continued its northward journey with ease, navigating the gentle "Drake Shake" effortlessly. Along the way, we were treated to numerous whale sightings, a true spectacle of nature's magnificence. In the afternoon, the first sight of land appeared on the horizon, marking a significant milestone in our voyage. As we sailed into the Beagle Channel, we enjoyed the company of seabirds that joined us, soaring gracefully alongside the ship. It was a beautiful moment to watch these creatures in their natural habitat, a reminder of the remote and untamed beauty of this region. The undersea team delivered insightful presentations, sharing the immense effort and challenges involved in diving in Antarctica's icy waters. Later, our captain himself gave a fascinating talk about the design and construction of National Geographic Resolution , offering a behind-the-scenes look at this remarkable vessel. To cap off the day, we indulged in a delightful afternoon tea accompanied by a famous cheese and wine tasting, a true culinary treat after days of adventure. As the evening set in, we savored our last dinner aboard the ship, reflecting on the epic journey we had shared to the White Continent, now preparing to return to port and head home with memories that will last a lifetime.
On our last day in Antarctica, we woke to an otherwordly view as National Geographic Endurance sailed through the waters of Cierva Cove. The first adventure of the day was a Zodiac cruise across this iceberg-filled bay. We were lucky to spot a crabeater seal on an iceberg along with several snow petrels, Antarctic terns, and skuas soaring above us. After the cruise, Captain Oliver expertly steered National Geographic Endurance closer to the Breguet Glacier, allowing us to have a closer look at this massive ice wall. In the afternoon, we embarked on another Zodiac cruise around Spert Island. This time, we were impressed by the island’s unique geology shaped by glacial forces. The landscape was dominated by dramatic volcanic rock formations and colossal icebergs. The combination of natural beauty and the sheer scale of the surroundings left us in awe, marking a perfect end to our Antarctic adventure.
