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

4/24/2025

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National Geographic Orion

En route to the Canary Islands

We are on our third day at sea without any view of land but are closing in on our next destination, the Canary Islands. The seas have calmed a bit, bringing more people out on the bow to enjoy the beautiful blues of the Atlantic Ocean and to watch for seabirds flying by.   enjoyed another day full of presentations, learning about travel photography, the deep sea, and the Age of Discovery. We finished the day soaking in the sun during an outdoor cocktail hour. After a few days at sea, we are excited to reach La Palma tomorrow.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/24/2025

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National Geographic Islander II

Buccaneer Cove and Puerto Egas, Santiago Island

Today our guests experienced Santiago Island. This is the Island that Darwin explored the most when he visited the Galapagos back in 1835. Darwin, together with some of the crew of HMS Beagle, camped on the island of Santiago for a week. While on the island, Darwin studied Galapagos marine and land iguanas, collected finches, mockingbirds, insects, and plants. Most of the species that Darwin collected were unique to the islands.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/24/2025

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National Geographic Endurance

Santa Maria

Colors were bright on this marvelous spring day in Santa Maria. The sun shined as hikers made their long descent down to Anjos. The moderate to strenuous walk started at the Church of Santo Espírito, zigzagged around grassy fields, cows, cedars, and windmills and went to where the tallest waterfall in Portugal jumps over the cliff. As the steep trail ran down to the village of Maia along the rock walls, we enjoyed the star-shaped yellow flowers of the endemic Aichryson santamariensis.   Those that preferred to explore the island on the scenic tour visited the top of the island and Pico Alto, the church where Columbus’ crew stopped to pray while returning from the New World, and other viewpoints, including São Lourenço Bay, truly a postcard come to life.   In the afternoon we had presentations by Angélica Bas Gómez on cetacean migration through the Azores, and National Geographic Photographer Krista Rossow instructed us on how to photograph people. The talks were interrupted by a couple of blue whales during our crossing from Santa Maria to São Miguel.   The night brought us the Azorean guitar - Viola da Terra - played by Rafael Carvalho, a local master musician. It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful day.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/24/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Puerto Egas and Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island

Today we visited the island of Santiago. In the morning, we explored the coastline of Puerto Egas and spent some time on the beach observing the friendly creatures resting on the rocks.   In the afternoon, we explored Buccaneer Cove by kayaking, snorkeling, and Zodiac cruising. The western side of Santiago offered remarkable moments observing wildlife and great opportunities for photography.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/23/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove, Isabela Island

Today we had a full day exploring the biggest island of the archipelago, Isabela Island. We started at Urbina Bay where, after a thrilling disembarkation, we had the opportunity to find a large number of tortoises, as well as Galapagos land iguanas as they roamed the deciduous forest.   As we finished our walk, we had a refreshing swim in the bay and later navigated to Tagus Cove where we had an amazing snorkeling excursion and a leisurely kayaking exploration.   We finished the day accompanied by a beautiful sunset as we explored the coastline with a scenic view of Tagus Cove and its wonders.