Porto Santo, Madeira, 4/30/2025, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Europe & British Isles
Sometimes plan B is the best plan. A huge storm is hitting the archipelago, so we decided to spend more time exploring the amazing little island of Porto Santo, enjoying hiking and relaxing on the gold sand beaches bathed in sunshine.
Without a doubt, this was one of the most beautiful days of our expedition and we were delighted to spend one more day in the Madeira Archipelago.
Maria Intxaustegi is an internationally awarded maritime archaeologist, naval historian, commercial diver, professional offshore sailor, and expedition guide from the Basque Country.
After two full days at sea aboard National Geographic Orion , we finally arrived at Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Many of us started our morning by searching for wildlife off the rocky, volcanic coastlines of Sao Miguel. We were lucky enough to spot a pod of sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and common dolphins playfully leaping in the waves. Next, we headed for Furnas, a volcanic village famed for its geothermic activity. We enjoyed cozida das Furnas, a traditional rich stew of meats and vegetables slow-cooked underground using volcanic ash. We ended our afternoon by visiting the only tea plantation in Europe. We admired the lush, rolling hills of the tea fields right along the coastline and then headed back to the ship. It was a magical day in the Azores and a lovely end to our voyage.
National Geographic Orion sped along the North Atlantic, and the seas became increasingly favorable as the day passed. We woke up to a bit of rolling, but the swell abated as we made a rapid approach to the Azores. Our sea day was filled with lots of well-researched presentations, including one on whale intelligence and culture by naturalist Kelly Ferron. Photo instructor Jeff Litton gave a talk about photo editing and Madalena Patacho presented her work with Pristine Seas. In between the learning, we had plenty of sea watching, a beautiful galley tour by executive chef Ruben Lorenco, and an extra special teatime with crepes! The grand finale to our day was the world-famous National Geographic Orion crew show! Dancing, fun, and laughter was had by all!
It has been a blustery day at sea as we make our way northwest towards the Azores, our final destination of the voyage. Despite the inclement weather, National Geographic Orion was full of lively energy as guests attended presentations throughout the day, and some took to the bridge to watch the big seas. These days at sea are what make our voyages more than just a passage, but instead a journey and an experience to remember!
