Welcome to the mystical islands of the Marquesas.
It was beautiful to start our expedition adventures on National Geographic Orion in the Marquesas Islands. Today we explored the northern-most island of the Marquesas, Hatutaa, with Zodiacs rolling out at 6:30 a.m. to catch the early bird and witness the manta rays before sunrise. Guests were moved by the experience. We observed sooty terns, blue/black terns, brown boobies, lesser and greater frigatebirds, not to mention the spaceships of the ocean, the beautiful manta rays.
In the afternoon, we visited Hatiheu on Nuku Hiva Island and took a tour of the sacred ground of Kamuihei, where guests were guided around this spiritual site. This was followed by a cultural performance by the local tribe.
The beautiful night ended in the bay as the sun set behind the cliffs of Hatiheu.
