Expedition Stories

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

World View

coastal landscape - rocks and moss with an island in the background

9/20/2021

2 Min Read

Where Is the Salish Sea?

The name “Salish Sea” is a relatively new term coined to describe the Pacific Northwest's most unique ecosystem. Read on to learn more, and then join us this fall to experience it for yourself.

World View

11/16/2022

4 Min Read

Notable Birds of the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest harbors a diversity of habitats ideal for birdlife like the rhinoceros auklet, Steller’s jay, and red-breasted sapsucker. These are just a few of the species to spot on expeditions in the region.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Follow Along

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Venture

At Sea and San José Island

This morning found us sailing in the southern end of Loreto Bay National Park during sunrise, looking for marine life. We watched some mobula rays jumping out of the water doing spectacular summersaults and a few humpback whales. Everyone on board delighted every time that they showed their flukes at the start of a longer dive! We sailed by the small and remote Las Ánimas Island and saw some of the Guadalupe fur seals that spend some time in the Gulf during the spring.   Eventually we anchored off San José Island at a gorgeous location named Punta Colorada where we enjoyed snorkeling and hiking and finished another beautiful day exploring the Sea of Cortez.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Resolution

At Sea to the Falkland Islands

Having successfully avoided the worst of the weather in our crossing from South Georgia, the sun rose to reveal Saunders Island before us at the beginning of the day. This is an island in the West Falklands and is home to many sheep and black-browed albatross. In the heavy winds of the morning, we were visited at sea by these albatross, as well as a variety of other seabirds and some sei whales.   We started our program for the day with a presentation from Historian Steve Fisher, who took us through the complex history of the archipelago up to the 1982 war. This was followed by a serene watercolor session led by Naturalist Jessie Johnson. In the afternoon, Naturalist Gerard Baker talked us through contemporary life in the Falklands. In all, the day set us up well for what was to come as we made our transit.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Quest

Coiba and Cocos Islands

After exploring Costa Rica for three days, we landed at one of the most beautiful national parks of Panama, Coiba.   Since 1919, Coiba Island was a work prison where the prisoners were tasked with its care. After the prison was relocated, the scientific community and the Smithsonian became interested in this unique place. Today Coiba is one of the most important national parks in the country, many people drawn to its vast biodiversity.   We spent the day exploring. Some of our guests enjoyed snorkeling around Cocos Island where they had the opportunity to see whitetip reef sharks, hawksbill sea turtles, and different varieties of fish. At the same time, we offered kayaking and stand up paddleboarding for those looking for something more adventurous. Other guests opted to relax and read a book on the beach at Coiba Island.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Endeavour II

Isabela Island

Today we have explored different spots on Isabela Island. We started the day visiting Urbina Bay where we did a long hike over an uplifted area which occurred in 1954. It is amazing to see how nature has recovered after this geological event and now offers so many things to see, like land iguanas and giant tortoises that we found along the trail.   During the afternoon, we headed to Tagus Cove. We explored by kayak, Zodiac, snorkeling, and hiking. With every single activity we were surrounded by penguins, lots of seabirds, flightless cormorants, and other unique animals from the Galapagos. It was a very special day exploring the islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour II.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Isabela and Fernandina Island

Today we spent the day exploring the western Galapagos Islands. We visited Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island and Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. This was a remarkable day because we observed some of the most iconic of the endemic species in the Galapagos, such as the Galapagos penguin, Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, and flightless cormorants.