Revisit some of the most magical moments that guests experienced in 2024 aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet in the wildest corners of the world.
This week's post includes photos of three different Antarctic penguin species, as well as two additional penguin species in the Galapagos Islands and Australia's Macquarie Island.
Finally, Antarctica! After two days spent crossing the Drake Passage, we reached our destination. Early this morning, with sunlight illuminating glaciated peaks, we woke to the sight of a pod of orcas—a remarkable welcome under perfect weather conditions. Shortly after, Zodiacs navigated through icebergs to Pourquoi Pas Island, where we observed Adelie penguin colonies and hiked along the moraine for stunning glacier views. Calm seas and ideal conditions continued into the afternoon, allowing us to kayak through a glacier-lined bay. We paddled among seals and penguins resting on icebergs, creating unforgettable memories. The day ended with eighty-two adventurous guests taking the Antarctic Polar Plunge, earning well-deserved patches in waters colder than the freezing point of freshwater. Ended? Well, not quite. South of the Antarctic Circle, where the sun neither rises nor sets near the solstice, guests continued to enjoy the ship and the views. As National Geographic Endurance continued southward through the pack ice, some guests took in the view from the Bridge or outside decks, while others contemplated it from the sauna or the hot tubs. It was an ideal end to an extraordinary day.
Ahoy from the Drake! This is day two of our crossing of the Drake Passage. All are in good spirits as crossing the Drake is part of the experience of journeying to Antarctica. By afternoon, the seas calmed to a gentle roll. It was quite pleasant. Guests were briefed on a myriad of subjects from Zodiac safety to biosecurity protocols. We are headed to visit the most pristine and untouched wilderness on the planet. Protecting this place is at the top of everyone’s list. Guests enjoyed educational talks by a few of our expert staff members. Vigilant guests spotted a few humpback whales and over five wandering albatrosses! We closed the day by crossing into the Antarctic Circle, a dream come true for many guests on board National Geographic Endurance . Tomorrow will be our first opportunity to land in Antarctica. The excitement is palpable.
Following a late evening show by the killer whales of the Gerlache Strait, expectations were high for a final day of fun for our guests. A sunny morning greeted National Geographic Explorer as she sent her landing craft to Half Moon Island, where naturalist scouting parties found a great deal of excitement ashore. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins hopped along the rocky shores of the island, delighting all with their movements and cries. Our hikes meandered along the shoreline and concluded with a viewing of two subadult Southern elephant seals sparring on the beach. Our final afternoon aboard was spent cruising through scenic Antarctic waters toward King George Island where guests came ashore and mingled with scientists headed home from missions on the island. As the sun set and we bid our farewell, we did so with a great deal of satisfaction.
Today was an important day for many of us. Not only was it one of the first days of a brand-new and exciting year, but it was also the first full day of a wild, adventure-filled expedition on board National Geographic Endurance . The day was filled with a variety of activities and presentations to prepare guests to meet the White Continent just one day from now. Guests enjoyed lessons on identifying animal species and photographing the incredible wildlife we are about to see. We discussed the importance of these animals to not just the Southern Ocean ecosystems but worldwide. Guests couldn’t be more excited to see their first iceberg and penguin – only a few hours away!
The last day of activities on our expedition was at the picturesque Santa Ana Island in the Solomon Islands. The shoreline of this small tropical island was lined with dense rainforest and coconut trees right up to the beach. Surrounding the Island was a vibrant fringing reef with a spectacular variety of healthy corals. We were greeted at the beach landing by the traditional Melanesian warrior welcome, and once ashore we had time to peruse the various local crafts and wooden carvings for sale. Once we were all gathered, we watched the special performance from the local community that represents the historical migration of the different groups of people who visited these islands. After the performances and music, we all had time to explore and head out for different activities, including bird watching, hiking, and snorkeling.
