Guests on the National Geographic Explorer encountered a group of humpback whales while on expedition. Read on for breathtaking photos of the experience.
In 2001, Sarah Witcomb beat out thousands of hopeful contestants to win a nationwide search for the Jeopardy! Clue Crew. She's been traveling ever since.
Scientists Dr. Bob Pitman and Dr. John Durban have been studying killer whales on the National Geographic Explorer since 2011. Read on to learn about their findings.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning when the first groups of our National Geographic Orion explorers set out for the golden, sandy shores of Abel Tasman National Park. Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European explorer to set foot here in 1642. In the Maori language, the northern region of the South Island of Aotearoa is called Te Tauihu o Te Waka o Maui, the prow of Maui’s canoe. Local guides led our groups on hiking trails. Guests were treated to beautiful scenery, spectacular views, rich flora, and a multitude of birds of different species, which the national park is known for. It was a great way to burn off the extra calories after our first week of enjoying National Geographic Orion’s cuisine. A kayak adventure awaited another group. Guides helped our explorers discover a natural environment brimming with wildlife. Lucky guests crossed paths with a short-tailed stingray that seemed to enjoy the interaction as much as our kayakers did. A weather front blew in some clouds, covering the site and helping our hikers cool off after the one-and-a-half-hour trek. Some guests even took the opportunity to swim in the cool water. On-board festivities for the 20th anniversary of National Geographic Orion were just starting. At teatime, crew members greeted guests returning from the morning adventure with champagne and cake. After a hearty dinner, it was time for guests to put on their dancing shoes to celebrate two decades of adventure with the staff.
We woke this morning on National Geographic Explorer to the gentle rocking of the ship as we made our way through the Drake Passage. This body of water below South America has incredibly variable weather and is home to beautiful whales and elegant seabirds. Our team of expert naturalists provided a series of captivating presentations, enriching our understanding of the Southern Ocean's unique ecosystems, wildlife, and history. Our National Geographic experts taught us how to streamline our photo processing workflow. We also learned about marine archaeology in cold waters, the historic race to the South Pole, and the challenging art of navigation in remote regions. During teatime, the bistro bar was abuzz with conversation as people exchanged insights and anecdotes, reflecting on our wonderful journey together. As evening came, we gathered for a recap of the day's highlights in the lounge. The expedition team also shared the upcoming schedule, ensuring that everyone is well prepared for the exciting adventures that await us as we approach Ushuaia.
We enjoyed a wonderful early morning outing at Cormorant Point. We were impressed from the beginning to the end of this exploration. Turtles by the dozen rested on a white sand beach. American flamingos preened their feathers nearby. We observed blue-footed boobies with their babies on the dunes. Later in the morning, we had the opportunity to participate in water activities. With so many fish, the snorkeling was impressive. We enjoyed glass-bottom boat outings, where we observed the underwater world without getting wet. In the afternoon, we visited Post Office Bay, an iconic and historic place. We learned about the history behind this interesting site and participated in a very old tradition on the islands. Guests took postcards to hand-deliver back home and left their own behind for future visitors.
We woke up to the most beautiful sunny day we have had yet this trip. The ship slowly and carefully made its way towards the ice edge so we could enjoy an ice walk. The captain deftly “parked” the ship next to the edge, being careful not to break any ice, and lowered the penguin gangway. Our expedition team went out first to check that the ice was safe. They excitedly reported back that a leopard seal and pup had been found, an extremely rare sight. We bundled up in our outer layers and headed onto the ice. The ice crunched beneath our feet as we wandered around the vast space. While we were checking out the leopard seal, two emperor penguins came sliding across the ice. They even chased some of the guests briefly before settling down on the ice close to the leopard seal and engaging in courting behavior. It was the most magical experience, but it wasn’t over. Next, three crabeater seals crawled out on the ice and took a nap in front of the bow of the ship. We couldn’t believe our luck. All too soon, it was time to board National Geographic Endurance again. We started steaming north to our final landing of the trip at Brown Bluff. Whilst the ship repositioned, we enjoyed a delicious and well-earned lunch followed by a Q&A session with Mensun Bound. In the late afternoon, we disembarked the ship for the final time in Antarctica. Brown Bluff didn’t disappoint with its amazing geology, gentoo and Adelie penguins, and beautiful ice. We said goodbye to the White Continent whilst loading into the Zodiacs for the final time. It was a truly wonderful day, and it still wasn’t over. The galley team treated us to a delicious, traditional Filipino dinner followed by an evening of music and talents in the Ice Lounge. We danced the night away as the ship headed for the Drake.
For our first full day in the Galápagos Islands we navigated for three and a half hours toward Bartolomé Island. This famous island is located on the eastern side of Santiago Island, with an area of only 1.3 square kilometers (0.5 square miles). On the early morning walk we appreciated unique geological formations, pioneer vegetation, and — after a 30-minute walk up 372 steps — our guests were rewarded with the most iconic view of the Galápagos. This view is featured in a scenic shot from the movie “Master and Commander.” After this activity we finished our time with an underwater exploration of Bartolomé’s marine life. Next we continued navigating for an hour and forty minutes toward Santa Cruz Island. We visited the northwestern side of the island to explore an area known as Dragon Hill, named after the endemic Galápagos land iguana. For our last outing today we enjoyed a 1.7-mile hike along a dry forest to spot some iguanas.
