9 Uncommon Adventures for Spring and Summer
Spring and summer create some of the most favorable conditions for expedition travel across much of the world—months when longer days extend time ashore, wildlife activity intensifies and retreating ice and navigable seas open access to remote shores. From polar regions to equatorial archipelagos, these seasons mark a period of heightened activity both on land and in the water.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions designs small-ship voyages to take full advantage of these conditions, offering immersive explorations led by expert naturalists and cultural specialists. Whether navigating Arctic waters, snorkeling vibrant marine reserves or walking ancient landscape gardens, these journeys are defined by access, expertise and a deep understanding of when a destination is at its most rewarding.
Spot iconic wildlife at the top of the world
Each summer, the sprawling Arctic landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago come alive as ice loosens its grip and wildlife activity peaks. Aboard a state-of-the-art, ice-class expedition ship, you’ll venture deep into the pack ice, navigating remote fjords and frozen coastlines where polar bears forage, Atlantic walruses haul out on ice floes and reindeer roam the vast tundra. Join expert spotters on the Bridge to scan the surrounding waters and coastlines for these iconic species, along with ringed and bearded seals, elusive Arctic foxes and an impressive array of surfacing whales.
Explore Svalbard on Svalbard: In Search of Iconic Arctic Wildlife or Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Sail Galápagos aboard your own private catamaran
For the ultimate expedition experience, discover Galápagos aboard National Geographic Delfina, an intimate catamaran accommodating just 16 guests. Charter the ship and your friends or family will explore Darwin’s legendary islands up close alongside two veteran naturalists. Zodiac to pristine beaches lined with lounging sea lions, snorkel the famed Marine Reserve to spot Galápagos penguins, sea turtles and clouds of tropical fish and head up to the highlands to meet the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural habitat.
Explore Galápagos on Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage or Galápagos by Catamaran, Machu Picchu and Peru's Land of the Inca.
Photo: Daniel Romagosa
Wander an Icelandic canyon steeped in saga
Norse legend tells that Sleipnir—Odin’s eight-legged steed—left a massive hoofprint in Iceland’s countryside when galloping across the sky. Venture into Ásbyrgi Canyon, a dramatic horseshoe-shaped depression just east of Húsavík, where sheer 300-foot cliffs rise above a surprisingly lush woodland of birch, willow and mountain ash. During the summer months, longer daylight hours invite unhurried walks along glacial riverbanks and forested trails, where the interplay of myth, geology and nature is unmistakable.
Explore Ásbyrgi Canyon on Wild Arctic Shores: Circumnavigating Iceland and Exploring Greenland.
Visit a volcanic vineyard in the remote Azores
Pico Island, a small isles in the Azores archipelago off the coast of Portugal, offers a surprising discovery for oenophiles and landscape lovers alike. Mild temperatures in the middle of the year bring lush growth that dramatically contrasts to the island’s terrain, with verdant vines set against a moonscape of black lava rock. Stroll this striking vineyard landscape, where low volcanic stone corrals shelter Merlot, Verdelho and a variety of other grapes from Atlantic winds. Shaped by centuries of ingenuity, these vineyards have earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site—an extraordinary example of agriculture adapted to a powerful natural environment.
Explore the Azores on Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards.
Expedition leader Jimmy White explores a cave on the island of Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, Oceania
Photo: Jonathan Kingston. National Geographic Photographer. Rights Managed
Float in a secret Polynesian grotto
Swimming through the otherworldly grottos on the Polynesian island of Makatea feels like exploring an ancient jewel box filled with stalagmites and stalactites. In the springtime, calm conditions and warm days create an ideal window to explore the island’s interior, where this remarkably rare landform—an uplifted coral atoll—hides a network of underground limestone caves. Slip into cool, fresh water and drift through echoing chambers shaped over millennia, discovering a hidden side of Polynesia far removed from its better-known shores.
Explore French Polynesia on Easter Island to Tahiti: Tales of the Pacific or Pearls of the Pacific: The Society and Tuamotu Islands.
A guest photographing the terrain at Hermaness Nature Park, Unst Island, Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Photo: iStock
Glimpse life at the edge of the North Atlantic
Far north of mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands form a rugged, wind-shaped archipelago where dramatic coastlines, abundant wildlife and deep-rooted traditions converge. During the warmer months, extended daylight allows for unhurried exploration of soaring sea cliffs, sheltered natural harbors and windswept pastures punctuated by ancient ruins. Sail past seabird-filled cliffs near Noss and Hermaness, step ashore at quiet piers by Zodiac and follow island trails that reveal enduring traces of Viking and Norse heritage. Whether hiking across open moorland or sharing music and stories in small communities, the Shetlands offer a vivid sense of life at the edge of the North Atlantic.
Explore the Shetland Islands on Ancient Isles: England, Ireland and Scotland; Scotland’s Wild Isles: Shetlands, Orkneys and Inner Hebrides; or North Atlantic Wonders: Iceland, Scotland and the Faroes
Guests kayaking around Icebergs from the ship National Geographic Explorer in Skjoldungen Island, Southeastern Greenland
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Venture into Greenland’s remote fjords
Along Greenland’s remote shores, labyrinthine fjords reach inland, carved by glaciers that still flow from the ice sheet covering roughly 80 percent of the country. As pack ice loosens along the coast, expedition ships can push into these seldom-visited waterways, where sheer rock walls rise from the sea and icebergs drift silently past. Explore fjords such as Skjoldungen, where conditions shape each day’s route, and explore aboard Zodiacs or kayaks to move among floating ice and along rugged shorelines. Walk the stunningly stark backcountry, watch for Arctic wildlife along the coast and encounter traces of early Greenlandic cultures at archaeological sites scattered through this vast, elemental landscape.
Explore Greenland’s fjords on Southeast Greenland: Exploring at the Edge of the Ice Cap or Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic.
Adachi garden, Shimane Prefecture, Chugoku, Japan.
Stroll Japan’s celebrated gardens
In spring and summer, Japan’s historical gardens are at their most expressive, brought to life by seasonal blooms and lush greenery. Walk the graceful paths of Koraku-en and Sengan-en, where water, stone and carefully placed plantings frame castles, coastlines and distant volcanoes. Ritsurin Garden and the grounds of the Adachi Museum of Art reveal masterful compositions that blur the line between horticulture and art. From strolling gardens shaped by feudal lords to intimate spaces reflecting centuries of refinement, these outdoor masterpieces offer a seasonal lens into Japan’s enduring aesthetic traditions and relationship with nature.
Explore Japan on Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture.
