It was one of the most incredible days on the Antarctic peninsula! Our morning started at Spert Island, a truly magical place to take a Zodiac cruise and a favorite spot of many as we cruised through narrow passages and under a granite tunnel (up to four times for some lucky individuals!). The scenery alone was stunning, but beyond the beautiful landscape, a curious humpback whale was seen along the coastline. It spent time swimming around and under a couple of Zodiacs, a mesmerizing experience for even the most traveled adventurer. Yet that was only the start, because killer whales were spotted before lunch, and seeing these cetaceans up close and personal is always a magical experience. Our afternoon was spent at Palaver Point. We hiked up a snowy hill for a stunning view and got our first glimpse of penguin chicks. As the day wound down, the Antarctic peninsula was not done showing off its splendor. The sun slowly dipped towards the edge of the horizon, and the sky illuminated into a fiery landscape.
2/5/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
At Sea
Today was the first day at sea and National Geographic Explorer was heading toward its destination, Antarctica. It was a beautiful day, although a bit cloudy, and the Drake Passage was treating us nicely. The waves rolled in a nice rhythm, and it was overheard that many might have had their best naps in a long time. It is important to be close to windows during these passages since you never know what you might spot…possibly a whale or two, Cuvier’s dolphins, or albatrosses? These animals are quick, however, and if you aren’t on your toes, you might miss them. Days at sea give the naturalists the perfect opportunity to present important subject matter that relate to our journey. Today, Maria Intxaustegi gave us more information on the history of Antarctica. At the end of the day, we had our very first recap of the journey, including bite size pieces of knowledge that the staff are eager to share.
