This week, our best photos from the field included portraits of wildlife, from sea turtles and endemic birds in the Galapagos Islands to Australasian gannets in New Zealand to penguins in the Antarctic.
You could easily fall in love with Iceland having seen only Reykjavík and wonders of the Golden Circle. But these are truly just the tip of the iceberg.
Whether you seek the biodiverse waters of Baja California, or the majestic glaciers of Alaska, this guide will help you decide on the perfect Pacific expedition.
A cloudless morning broke over Hawkes Bay, New Zealand as National Geographic Orion motored into the town of Napier. After breakfast, we were alongside the dock and set out for the day’s adventures. The historic town was damaged in a significant earthquake during the 1930s and was rebuilt all at once in the current style of the time, Art Deco. It remains one of the largest concentrations of this architectural style in the world, and it gives the whole town the feeling that it is from a different era. Some guests ventured out to take in the buildings and history of the town, while others took a longer bus ride out to the southern point of the bay, named Cape Kidnappers by Captain Cook, to view the enormous colony of Australasian gannets. In the evening, we tossed off the lines and enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we turned our backs on the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and began sailing south.
With yesterday’s ad- Venture in the mountains of Ensenada in our wake, we awoke to a dewy marine layer running from a rising sun to reveal the double-coned peak of Isla San Martín. A small, mile-wide volcanic island located just off the coast of San Quintín and its vast agricultural infrastructure, San Martín and its small fish camp feel a world away from the mainland—and we got right to exploring! The undersea team peeled off to explore the lush and harbor-seal-infested kelp forests just behind our landing beach, while adventurous hikers braved the cholla and sharp volcanic rocks to reach both volcanic summits some 470 feet above the surf. Kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and Zodiac cruisers set off to investigate the kelp forests and rugged coastlines from the water, while the rest of the group enjoyed hikes along the seashore and tidal lagoon. Least sandpipers, our first osprey, and both black and American oystercatchers (seemingly on a date) were among the fine wildlife finds of the day. For this author, the remains of Pelagophycus elk kelp were easily the highlight. This magnificent brown alga is only found from the Channel Islands to Isla Cedros, or basically along the track of our expedition so far. We pulled anchor and enjoyed another delicious lunch and dinner as well as presentations on birds and kelp forests by naturalists Kim and Lauren. As a nightcap, we watched a video of the morning’s dive and harbor seal antics. Tomorrow, we arrive at Islas San Benito for a final dish of offshore Baja—¡Vamanos!
Our day began with a mesmerizing exploration of Roca Redonda and Punta Vicente Roca. The morning sun cast a golden glow on the towering cliffs that define this part of Isabela Island. We navigated along the coast, observing the diverse marine life that thrives in these nutrient-rich waters. Notable encounters included playful Galapagos sea lions, elegant flightless cormorants, and sea turtles. Snorkeling enthusiasts were treated to a world beneath the waves and non snorkelers saw just as much from our glass-bottom Zodiac. In the afternoon, our expedition led us to the pristine shores of Fernandina Island. This uninhabited island is a haven for wildlife. The highlights were undoubtedly the iconic Galapagos marine iguanas basking on black lava rocks. As we carefully navigated the island's trails, we marveled at the otherworldly landscapes shaped by ongoing volcanic activity. A sighting of a Galapagos hawk soaring overhead added a touch of wild majesty to our exploration. The sense of isolation and raw nature in these untouched Galapagos corners reminded us of the importance of preserving these ecosystems. Our journey continues tomorrow, promising new wonders in this extraordinary archipelago.
Early this morning, National Geographic Resolution crossed the Antarctic Circle, marking a wondrous maritime feat. Many awoke early to witness the crossing. National Geographic Resolution continued southward to our morning destination of Detaille Island. While some guests explored by Zodiac, many went ashore to visit a famous hut used by British scientists from 1956-1959. The hut has been preserved since its use in the 1950s, serving as a wonderful time capsule that allows glimpses into what living in a research hut looked like back then. In the afternoon, we enjoyed another sunny bluebird day. Upon encountering a good area of sea ice, National Geographic Resolution navigated into the ice, allowing us to walk on the frozen ocean and take in the icy sights.
National Geographic Explorer awoke to another bluebird morning on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula. An otherworldly landscape of snow and ice, the majestic mountains of the peninsula are a continuation of the Andes and were joined to Patagonia for most of their geologic history. When the Drake Passage opened up about 30 million years ago, the continent moved into its current position over the South Pole, and the Andean chain broke into two. As the climate cooled, ice sheets started to appear, and the icy continent that we have today began to evolve. Today, glaciers ooze down the steep walls of the peninsula’s dramatic coast, making for incredible scenery. Cruising into Andvord Bay after breakfast, the captain practically parked the ship on the beach at Neko Harbour for our morning activity. On shore, we visited our last gentoo penguin colony and observed two Weddell seals hauled out on the snow and one on a piece of ice. Hiking up the hill, we had an incredible view of the surroundings and Mount Français, the tallest mountain (9,168’) on the peninsula. After lunch, we cruised up the Gerlache Strait and entered Dallmann Bay, where we had wonderful encounters with humpback whales. What an incredible end to an extraordinary trip around the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula.
