In this episode of What to Expect, Captain Martin Graser reveals more of what’s in store for guests exploring Antarctica at the beginning of the austral summer.
In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's photos from the field feature romantic sunrises and sunsets from Vietnam and Baja California, animal courtships in the Galápagos, and undersea heart-hands in French Polynesia.
This week's photos from the field included sunsets in Baja California, animal close-ups in the Galápagos Islands and penguins in Antarctica and South Georgia Island.
Early this morning, we went ashore to explore the eastern region of Santiago Island. We reached the shore of Sullivan Bay, a relatively young lava flow that has changed very little and is quite intact. Towards the end of the walk, we returned to National Geographic Delfina to have a well-deserved breakfast. Later in the morning, we went to a nearby beach and had the opportunity to swim and snorkel from the shore. In the afternoon, we snorkeled in deep waters and watched several species of fish and a very inquisitive Galapagos penguin that came to take a closer look at us. After snorkeling we returned onboard and got ready to go ashore for an invigorating hike to the top of Bartholomew.
The day began with an exhilarating stretch class just after sunrise. Gray whales were spotted on our way south and guests enjoyed the early morning at the bow looking at whales, dolphins, and a couple of curious sea lions. Essentially, we saw whales all the way to the mouth of Bahia Almejas. During the morning whale watch outing, we boarded pangas with local captains who took us to the best spots. The experience with the whales was characterized by the number of spy hops we saw. At one point we counted up to 10 whales in the same area! For the second outing in the afternoon, some boats were lucky enough to see whales up close and even touched them. We were fortunate to have perfect weather all day which allowed us to calmly enjoy the whales going about their daily activities. Back on board National Geographic Sea Bird , guests felt inspired by what we’ve experienced and put it in watercolor. At the end of the day, we attended a presentation about climate change with guest speaker, Joy Ward.
Today, we embarked on an unforgettable journey, beginning with a visit to the private reserve of Dolphin Quest at Río Seco, followed by an afternoon adventure in Golfito. Both locations are nestled in the breathtaking Golfo Dulce, which offered remarkable wildlife encounters and natural beauty. Our morning expedition took us along the lush trails of Dolphin Quest where guests immersed themselves in the vibrant tropical rainforest. We were fortunate to spot lively white-faced capuchin monkeys, not only during the morning walk but also later in the day. Adding to the spectacle, several pairs of scarlet macaws put on a dazzling display of color and sound. Guests were captivated by the distinctive calls of the three-wattled bellbirds, and a few lucky observers caught a glimpse of the elusive tamandua, a fascinating anteater. In the afternoon, after repositioning National Geographic Quest to Golfito, guests chose between two exciting activities- kayaking through serene mangroves or joining a Zodiac cruise. Both experiences provided up-close encounters with diverse coastal bird species. A highlight of the Zodiac cruise was encountering a mixed troop of howler monkeys and white-faced capuchins, creating an unforgettable wildlife experience.
We arrived in the morning at the beautiful Saunders Island, home to the family of Expedition Leader Russ. It is always very special to visit this island, and the welcome we get is absolutely amazing. Today we visited the settlement and got a tour of the farm. The working dogs of the island met us on the beach and gladly joined our Zodiacs for a tour around the bay, happily barking at the many Commerson’s dolphins playing around us. In the afternoon we tried to go to the rookery on the other side of the island for a chance to see rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross. The weather was not on our side, and halfway through the landing operation we decided to change our plans. It was an adventurous Zodiac ride back to the ship and the joy of being greeted with a warm beverage from our bar team was enormous.
The day dawned aboard National Geographic Resolution as we sailed out of the Scotia Sea. After yet another delicious breakfast, our natural history staff kicked off a series of presentations. Naturalist Joe Holiday started it off with a program on “Geology of the Falkland Islands” followed by an interesting program by our visiting scientist, Ariana Mancusco, about the research she’s conducting throughout this expedition. By late morning, we crossed the Falkland Trough, the captain and navigation officer were steely-eyed on the bridge, plotting our path through the clashing currents, winds, and waves. At noon, a surreal calm descended as we entered the eye of the low-pressure system. The sea state calmed and lunch was served in the dining room. Afternoon, the hotel team turned the lounge into a haven, hosting a lovely teatime—scones, clotted cream, and Earl Grey flowing as the ship continued westerly. Meanwhile, the natural history staff continued, with veteran Naturalist Dennis Cornejo explaining the unique plant life of the Falkland Islands. Approaching dusk, thick fog filled the sky and the Falklands loomed a mere 20 miles off, a promise for our days ahead.
