Expedition Stories

Our fleet navigates the world in search of adventure. These are the stories they bring back…

World View

5/14/2020

4 Min Read

Peninsula Valdés: A Paragon of Conservation

Jutting into the South Atlantic Ocean, Argentina’s Peninsula Valdés is its very own Patagonian wild. There, calm and warm waters serve as a breeding haven for the endangered southern right whale, friendly-faced southern elephant seal, and stout southern sea lion.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Follow Along

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Resolution

At Sea to the Falkland Islands

Having successfully avoided the worst of the weather in our crossing from South Georgia, the sun rose to reveal Saunders Island before us at the beginning of the day. This is an island in the West Falklands and is home to many sheep and black-browed albatross. In the heavy winds of the morning, we were visited at sea by these albatross, as well as a variety of other seabirds and some sei whales.   We started our program for the day with a presentation from Historian Steve Fisher, who took us through the complex history of the archipelago up to the 1982 war. This was followed by a serene watercolor session led by Naturalist Jessie Johnson. In the afternoon, Naturalist Gerard Baker talked us through contemporary life in the Falklands. In all, the day set us up well for what was to come as we made our transit.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Quest

Coiba and Cocos Islands

After exploring Costa Rica for three days, we landed at one of the most beautiful national parks of Panama, Coiba.   Since 1919, Coiba Island was a work prison where the prisoners were tasked with its care. After the prison was relocated, the scientific community and the Smithsonian became interested in this unique place. Today Coiba is one of the most important national parks in the country, many people drawn to its vast biodiversity.   We spent the day exploring. Some of our guests enjoyed snorkeling around Cocos Island where they had the opportunity to see whitetip reef sharks, hawksbill sea turtles, and different varieties of fish. At the same time, we offered kayaking and stand up paddleboarding for those looking for something more adventurous. Other guests opted to relax and read a book on the beach at Coiba Island.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Endeavour II

Isabela Island

Today we have explored different spots on Isabela Island. We started the day visiting Urbina Bay where we did a long hike over an uplifted area which occurred in 1954. It is amazing to see how nature has recovered after this geological event and now offers so many things to see, like land iguanas and giant tortoises that we found along the trail.   During the afternoon, we headed to Tagus Cove. We explored by kayak, Zodiac, snorkeling, and hiking. With every single activity we were surrounded by penguins, lots of seabirds, flightless cormorants, and other unique animals from the Galapagos. It was a very special day exploring the islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour II.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/11/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Isabela and Fernandina Island

Today we spent the day exploring the western Galapagos Islands. We visited Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island and Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. This was a remarkable day because we observed some of the most iconic of the endemic species in the Galapagos, such as the Galapagos penguin, Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, and flightless cormorants.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/10/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Santiago and Bartholomew Islands

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.