Our South Pacific trips are packed with thrilling experiences—some carefully planned; others, discovered. Below are just some of our favorites as described by guests and staff.
Close-up shark encounters in their natural habitat is a thrill that relatively few people experience and even fewer forget. Here's where and how to see them.
I was lucky to meet Lars-Eric Lindblad back in 1977; he immediately hired me to be a naturalist, lecturer, boat handler, and guide aboard his famous ship Lindblad Explorer, otherwise known as the “Little Red Ship.” This was the original Expedition Passenger Vessel, a designation made up by the U. S. Coast Guard by necessity in order to categorize this exceptional ship. Lindblad has been in the business of conducting expeditions, ever since. And now, under Sven Lindblad’s guidance, a fleet of 13 ships has replaced the original "Little Red Ship".
Tattoos are so ubiquitous around the world these days, it’s easy to barely even notice them at all. But there’s one place where the tattoos are so distinctive and artful they stand out from the inking seen anywhere else. That place is the remote and rugged Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
The Marquesas Islands are one of the few places where divers and snorkelers can see both the oceanic and reef species of manta rays. Their unique spot patterns can serve as data points to track the manta ray populations in this region.
This morning was our final day in Haida Gwaii. The day commenced with an awe-inspiring discourse by a masterful Haida basket weaver, Paula Varnell, weaving tales of tradition and resilience that stirred our souls. With hearts brimming with gratitude, we bid adieu to Skidegate and set sail amidst a tapestry of azure skies and tranquil seas. Over a sumptuous lunch, our voyage to the mystical landscapes of Alaska unfurled, promising new horizons and untold wonders. In the afternoon, esteemed National Geographic Photographer Drew mesmerized us with captivating narratives of wolves, bears, and mountain lions. A vibrant photo breakout session followed as we reviewed pictures of the last week of our adventure. As we sail onward through the Hecate Strait, we chart our course towards Alaska, carrying with us the echoes of Haida wisdom and the promise of new horizons.
After transiting McNary Lock and Dam, National Geographic Sea Bird dropped anchor at Crow Butte in the early morning of Thursday, April 25th. After a hearty breakfast, we were delivered by Zodiac to the south side locations for an aerobic walk to the top of Crow Butte, supplemented with a medium elevation nature hike. A more casual history-oriented walk began on the west side of the Island and ended where we were able to get some great photos of National Geographic Sea Bird at anchor. The aroma of the sagebrush in the shrub-steppe environment filled the air, and the gentle but steady winds preceded a light rain in the otherwise arid environment. Returning hikers were greeted by the hotel staff and hot chocolate at the landing site and also enjoyed the playground equipment. Crow Butte is a tear drop shaped island surrounding a core of basalt, and the sandy terrain is composed of debris deposited during the Ice Age Flood events of 12,000-18,000 years ago. The afternoon was spent cruising the Columbia River on our way to dock at Hood River, Oregon.
We were treated to a beautiful day here in the Channel Islands! While there was still a persistent breeze and slight cloud coverage, this provided the ideal conditions for a day full of hiking and exploration. A large handful of guests embarked on an all-day hiking adventure out to the iconic Torrey Pines Grove. Totaling nearly 7.5 miles round-trip, this group was delighted by expansive ocean views, relaxation time under the shade of the endemic Torrey trees, and even a fortunate fox sighting or two. But they weren’t the only ones who had a great day, other guests chose to explore the Cherry Canyon Loop and were amazed at the abundance of wildflowers blooming. With such a small window to see this technicolor display, hearts were full from the beautiful morning. In the afternoon, a second round of adventures were offered, ranging from a fox-searching specific outing, playtime on the beach, or some free time to roam at one’s leisure. To finish today’s adventures, guests enjoyed appetizers and cocktails on the sundeck. Though a bit breezy, we all bundled up and embraced the familiar Channel Islands’ wind and didn’t let it blow away the celebratory spirit of a great day.
Today our guests experienced Santiago Island. This is the Island that Darwin explored the most when he visited the Galapagos back in 1835. Darwin, together with some crew of the HMS Beagle, camped on the island of Santiago for a week. While on the island, Darwin studied Galapagos marine and land iguanas, collected finches, mockingbirds, insects, and plants. Most of the species that Darwin collected were unique to the islands. Before breakfast, our guests were kayaking through the pristine waters of Buccaneer Cove. This was a unique experience, as we paddled gently along the rugged coastline flanked by towering cliffs and volcanic formations. Encounters with curious sea lions and graceful sea turtles added an element of delight to our adventure. We also observed blue-footed boobies and swallow tail gulls along the cliffs. In the afternoon, as we hiked the trail at Puerto Egas, we encountered a number of marine iguanas basking on the dark lava rocks. Their adaptation to a marine lifestyle is unparalleled, with specialized flattened snouts and sharp claws enabling them to forage for algae and seaweed among the rocky seabed. As we were leaving the trail, our guests spotted a great blue heron standing on top of a tree. Their behavior is characterized by patience and precision, as they stand motionless for extended periods, awaiting the opportune moment to strike at passing prey with lightning-fast reflexes.
Bula and welcome to Fiji! It’s perfect to start our exploration of this country with the island of Taveuni. First, we were blessed with a picturesque sunrise while the full moon was setting on the other side of the sky. Good morning! After clearance, we jumped on the Zodiacs and disembarked on the island where the buses were waiting to take us to visit Waitabu Village. In the village, everyone was awaiting us, colorful and smiley, prepared for our arrival. To start with, the sacred kava ceremony was performed, after which music took over and kids performed fantastic traditional dances. After enjoying local refreshments, we moved to Bouma National Heritage Park where a beautiful path full of flowers led us to a sublime waterfall, where we swam and have fun. In the afternoon, we headed out in the Zodiacs to Waitabu Marine Park, a reserve promoted by locals to save their reef and resources. After 15 years of efforts and protections, the results are visible. Beautiful snorkelling completed our awesome first Fijian day.