Expedition Stories

Our fleet navigates the world in search of adventure. These are the stories they bring back…

World View

12/30/2019

4 Min Read

Getting to Know the Guna People

Spending a day under the coconut palms of Guna Yala, off the northeastern Caribbean coast of Panama, is a rare chance to experience a traditional way of life that can also seem decades ahead of its time.

World View

5/18/2022

3 Min Read

Wild Personalities: Coati

A close relative of the raccoon, the coati inhabits The Americas where it can be spotted from Arizona all the way down to northern Uruguay.

World View

7/10/2022

3 Min Read

What to Expect: Crossing the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal—one of the seven wonders of the modern world—has been a key conduit for international maritime trade since it was completed at the turn of the last century. Read more from Expedition Development Manager Ted Kenefick about the profound and poignant experience of crossing the canal for the first time.

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Daily Expedition Reports

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Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

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National Geographic Sea Bird

Walla Walla, Washington

Our visit to Walla Walla, Washington at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers did not disappoint. The region offers a bevy of activities. Everything from historical sites and museums to ice cream shops and wineries. Guests of National Geographic Sea Bird chose to learn about the region’s history of the Cayuse people at Whitman Mission, sampled wines from local vineyards and tasting rooms, and explored the lively downtown of Walla Walla with its many coffee shops, bookstores, and ice cream parlors.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Orion

At Sea towards Bonaire

We enjoyed a day at sea aboard National Geographic Orion. As we transited the south Caribbean Sea, we were treated to a few presentations about Colombia, reef fish, and music of the region, but the real stars of the day were the masked and brown boobies hunting flying fish. There were spectacular displays of hunting from the birds and avoidance by the fish.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Endeavour II

Santa Cruz Island

We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Delfina

Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set off for Minas de Azufre located on the slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Archipelago. The hike to the sulfur mines took us through a dramatic landscape of volcanic terrain, and the trail was lined with native vegetation.   The sulfur mines reminded us that we were walking in an active volcano that last erupted in 2018. The smell of sulfur in the air was pungent, and the contrast of the black volcanic rock with the bright yellow sulfur deposits created a striking landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/1/2025

Read

National Geographic Gemini

Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set out for Urbina Bay, located on the western side of Isabela Island. Just a few meters from the shore, we encountered several giant tortoises resting in rainwater pools left by the downpour from the night before. The rainy season is truly a blessing for all terrestrial animals, and the tortoises are no exception, taking advantage of the fresh water and lush vegetation.   In the afternoon, we navigated north toward Punta Vicente Roca. At 2:15 PM, we embarked on an unforgettable snorkeling experience along the island’s coastal cliffs. We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles.   Our final excursion of the day was a panga ride around Ecuador Volcano. This outing turned into a unique adventure as an unexpected rain shower added a special touch to the experience. Our guests donned ponchos and embraced the moment, making the ride even more memorable as we explored this remote and stunning landscape.   Just before 6:00 PM, we marked a significant milestone, crossing the Equator! We celebrated this special moment with a traditional flag-crossing ceremony, accompanied by lively music and a fun round of limbo.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Sea Bird

Walla Walla, Washington

Our visit to Walla Walla, Washington at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers did not disappoint. The region offers a bevy of activities. Everything from historical sites and museums to ice cream shops and wineries. Guests of National Geographic Sea Bird chose to learn about the region’s history of the Cayuse people at Whitman Mission, sampled wines from local vineyards and tasting rooms, and explored the lively downtown of Walla Walla with its many coffee shops, bookstores, and ice cream parlors.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Orion

At Sea towards Bonaire

We enjoyed a day at sea aboard National Geographic Orion. As we transited the south Caribbean Sea, we were treated to a few presentations about Colombia, reef fish, and music of the region, but the real stars of the day were the masked and brown boobies hunting flying fish. There were spectacular displays of hunting from the birds and avoidance by the fish.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Endeavour II

Santa Cruz Island

We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Delfina

Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set off for Minas de Azufre located on the slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Archipelago. The hike to the sulfur mines took us through a dramatic landscape of volcanic terrain, and the trail was lined with native vegetation.   The sulfur mines reminded us that we were walking in an active volcano that last erupted in 2018. The smell of sulfur in the air was pungent, and the contrast of the black volcanic rock with the bright yellow sulfur deposits created a striking landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/1/2025

Read

National Geographic Gemini

Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set out for Urbina Bay, located on the western side of Isabela Island. Just a few meters from the shore, we encountered several giant tortoises resting in rainwater pools left by the downpour from the night before. The rainy season is truly a blessing for all terrestrial animals, and the tortoises are no exception, taking advantage of the fresh water and lush vegetation.   In the afternoon, we navigated north toward Punta Vicente Roca. At 2:15 PM, we embarked on an unforgettable snorkeling experience along the island’s coastal cliffs. We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles.   Our final excursion of the day was a panga ride around Ecuador Volcano. This outing turned into a unique adventure as an unexpected rain shower added a special touch to the experience. Our guests donned ponchos and embraced the moment, making the ride even more memorable as we explored this remote and stunning landscape.   Just before 6:00 PM, we marked a significant milestone, crossing the Equator! We celebrated this special moment with a traditional flag-crossing ceremony, accompanied by lively music and a fun round of limbo.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Sea Bird

Walla Walla, Washington

Our visit to Walla Walla, Washington at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers did not disappoint. The region offers a bevy of activities. Everything from historical sites and museums to ice cream shops and wineries. Guests of National Geographic Sea Bird chose to learn about the region’s history of the Cayuse people at Whitman Mission, sampled wines from local vineyards and tasting rooms, and explored the lively downtown of Walla Walla with its many coffee shops, bookstores, and ice cream parlors.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Orion

At Sea towards Bonaire

We enjoyed a day at sea aboard National Geographic Orion. As we transited the south Caribbean Sea, we were treated to a few presentations about Colombia, reef fish, and music of the region, but the real stars of the day were the masked and brown boobies hunting flying fish. There were spectacular displays of hunting from the birds and avoidance by the fish.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Endeavour II

Santa Cruz Island

We arrived at the north of Santa Cruz Island, and we witnessed that there had been heavy rains in recent days, leaving this part of the island covered in green. It was like an artist’s palette, with all the shades of green captured in this amazing landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/2/2025

Read

National Geographic Delfina

Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set off for Minas de Azufre located on the slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Archipelago. The hike to the sulfur mines took us through a dramatic landscape of volcanic terrain, and the trail was lined with native vegetation.   The sulfur mines reminded us that we were walking in an active volcano that last erupted in 2018. The smell of sulfur in the air was pungent, and the contrast of the black volcanic rock with the bright yellow sulfur deposits created a striking landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/1/2025

Read

National Geographic Gemini

Isabela Island

After breakfast, we set out for Urbina Bay, located on the western side of Isabela Island. Just a few meters from the shore, we encountered several giant tortoises resting in rainwater pools left by the downpour from the night before. The rainy season is truly a blessing for all terrestrial animals, and the tortoises are no exception, taking advantage of the fresh water and lush vegetation.   In the afternoon, we navigated north toward Punta Vicente Roca. At 2:15 PM, we embarked on an unforgettable snorkeling experience along the island’s coastal cliffs. We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and sea turtles.   Our final excursion of the day was a panga ride around Ecuador Volcano. This outing turned into a unique adventure as an unexpected rain shower added a special touch to the experience. Our guests donned ponchos and embraced the moment, making the ride even more memorable as we explored this remote and stunning landscape.   Just before 6:00 PM, we marked a significant milestone, crossing the Equator! We celebrated this special moment with a traditional flag-crossing ceremony, accompanied by lively music and a fun round of limbo.