From Antarctica to New Zealand, our expeditions take you to far-flung destinations where you can see a plethora of penguins up close and alongside expert naturalists eager to illuminate every behavior.
Our Epic Voyages are extended expeditions in our portfolio that afford travelers the rare opportunity to sail places far off the beaten path, where endemic creatures and ancient cultures thrive beyond the reaches of the outside world. Here are five exciting experiences you can have while on one of our Epic Voyages.
Not all paddleboards are created equal! When it came to choosing a paddleboard supplier for Lindblad Expeditions' fleet, Glide SUP definitely stood out above the rest. Find out why this is the most sustainable and innovative board in the industry.
Author, travel writer for National Geographic and other publications, TV host and frequent Global Perspectives Guest Speaker aboard the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet, Andrew Evans is an authority on “epic.” He is the perfect person to ponder the outsize merits of longer journeys—and the breathtaking surprises that can only be found in the deep unknown.
Did you know that the majority of life on Earth is aquatic? It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that our oceans cover more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface. But, for many of us, life underwater is mysterious and unchartered territory. From long-living species to maintaining a healthy ecosystem, ocean inhabitants are often responsible for maintaining keeping our planet running. Below are some fun facts to celebrate life under the sea.
Due to the pandemic, there were a quarter of a million cruise line crew stranded—at or on ships that had suspended operations. Travel restriction and new regulation has made repatriation challenging. Find out how we moved mountains (and ships, and buses, and planes!) to safely repatriate 103 crew members who were still aboard two of our ships in Norwegian & Danish waters.
For more than 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has been committed to sustainability. Find out about Lindblad’s commitment to protecting the planet – being 100% carbon neutral, eliminating single-use plastic, serving sustainable seafood – and more.
Lindblad Expeditions has made an enduring commitment to sustainibility for over 50 years, and we've extended this initiative by recently becoming carbon neutral.
Today we went terrestrial to Walla Walla, Washington. Taking our Zodiacs to shore, we soon sped off to several different wine tasting rooms downtown. As we moseyed from the Seven Hills Winery, we experienced petal confetti falling from all the flowering trees lining the streets of downtown. It’s definitely spring in the valley. From the historical aspects of our visit to the Whitman Mission, to the flavorful aspects of wine, local ice cream, and a historic confectionary, it was a full day of exploration.
Santa Maria welcomed us with cloudy, rainless skies. Our most committed hikers set out early for a strenuous walk down from the cloud forest. Their long descent was rewarded by views of the red clay “desert” at Barreiro da Faneca. Another group started at the Church of Santo Espírito, and ended at Maia, just by the sea. They had the chance to see the amazing precipitous Aveiro Waterfall and then braved the multiple steps down the cliffside. The people that preferred to explore the island on the scenic tour visited a multitude of places, from tiny little churches (including the one where Columbus stopped to pray after getting to the New World) and other viewpoints. They also got to see the star-shaped yellow flowers of Aichryson santamariensis, an endemic plant recently described. In the afternoon we had talks by Gemina Garland-Lewis on whaling and whale watching in the Azores, and Sergei Ponomarenko spoke on the geological history of the Azores. The star of the day was a blue whale who graced us by feeding close to National Geographic Endurance during our crossing from Santa Maria to São Miguel. At night, Rafael Carvalho, a local master musician played Viola da Terra, the Azorean guitar. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day.
Our day began with a pleasant morning hike at Punta Pitt, located on the northern side of San Cristobal Island. The walk involved an uphill climb from the beach to the peak of a tuff cone. At the summit, we were rewarded with sightings of numerous blue-footed boobies nesting and a significant number of red-footed boobies, including some with chicks. Returning to the beach, we enjoyed a refreshing snorkeling session directly from the shore. In the afternoon, we concluded our wonderful week aboard with a relaxing visit to Cerro Brujo Beach.
Tuesday on Isabela Island began with a wet landing at Urbina Bay where guests ventured on a nature walk along gentle terrain shaped by dramatic geological uplift. The trail revealed fascinating coastal formations and offered close encounters with endemic wildlife, including our first encounter with Galapagos giant tortoises, land iguanas, penguins, and flightless cormorants. After the walk, guests had the option to swim or snorkel from the beach where the calm and clear waters provided a refreshing break before everyone returned to National Geographic Gemini. In the afternoon, we continued north toward Punta Vicente Roca. Guests gathered at the bow with the expedition leader to take in the striking volcanic landscape and learn more about the island’s natural history. The day’s exploration continued with a Zodiac ride along the coast of Ecuador Volcano, offering a closer look at the rugged shoreline and opportunities to spot wildlife, such as sea turtles, penguins, and Galapagos fur seals. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship crossed the equator, marking the moment with a pod of dolphins during sunset — a memorable finale to a day filled with discovery, connection with nature, and the wild beauty of the Galápagos.
It was another beautiful day, continuing the trend of glorious sunshine throughout the entire voyage. In the morning, we walked and hiked at Crow Butte where there were many scattered wildflowers and plentiful sagebrush. We also saw an abundance of bird life, including American kestrels and red-winged blackbirds. After a wonderful lunch, we headed out in Zodiacs to cruise the Umatilla Wildlife Refuge. Again, we saw an amazing amount of birdlife, including American white pelicans, bald eagles, and American coots. The river was sunny and still, allowing us to cruise in t-shirts! We finished the evening with a wine pairing during recap, followed by a great dinner and a beautiful sunset.