Anacapa Island/ Santa Cruz Island, 4/30/2025, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
California Coast
We had an incredible day out in Channel Islands National Park. We settled into the remote unworldliness of these volcanically formed islands as the fog lifted and our perfect day began. We set out in our Zodiacs and headed to famous Arch Rock, watching some playful sea lions and red-footed pigeon guillemots along the way.
This afternoon we transited to Santa Cruz Island where we explored by both land and sea. Our Zodiac cruises saw harbor seals and a gray whale while our hikers saw the endemic island fox and endemic island scrub jay.
Kylee Walterman grew up in central California where she was in close proximity to the ocean, mountains, deserts, valleys, and national forests; this is where she found a passion for the natural world. She attained a Marine Science degree with a biolo...
The sunrise reflected yellow off the steep cliffs of Santa Rosa Island, and we knew we had a great day in store. The entire group headed ashore on the second largest of the Channel Islands for hikes. We were greeted by an extravaganza of wildflowers. Giant coreopsis painted the hills yellow and towered over meadow hikers. Purple lupine, Indian paintbrush, and California poppies created a kaleidoscope of color along our paths. Some of our group headed for a longer hike to one of the two groves of Torrey Pines that exist on the planet. Some of us took part in casual walks around the historical Vail and Vickers cattle ranch and along the coastal bluffs. And all of us searched for the elusive and adorable endemic Santa Rosa Island fox… and some of us found them! After lunch we headed back to the island for specialized walks to focus on photography, search for foxes, and learn more about wildflowers.
Today the adventurers aboard National Geographic Venture embodied the true spirit and meaning of expedition mentality. After gusts of up to 40mph and swells of more than five feet, the backside of Catalina Island was too weather restricted to be a good spot to perform land operations. Guests, crew, and staff pivoted quickly to a plan of wildlife cruising while heading for safe harbor by the shores of Malibu. Little did everyone realize that the unexpected way the day would unfold would be all the more joyful due to our new plan. Cruising brought sightings of many seabirds such as, brown pelicans, fulmars, and shearwaters presumably making their way south away from the Santa Ana winds that were filling in quickly. Guests enjoyed expedition staff presentations and trivia games before being treated to one of the most spectacular wildlife encounters a ship can experience on the California coast. An hour before sunset the ship wide announcement was made that we were surrounded by a megapod of Common dolphins. A megapod or super pod of dolphins is usually considered to contain one thousand or more dolphins, so this was a special interaction. After our final dinner and slideshow, we were treated to another sighting of this same species of dolphin, but at night in waters filled with bioluminescent plankton lighting up when agitated by the movement of the dolphins that were chasing fish in front of the bow of the ship. Today really was a sight to see.
