Guests on the National Geographic Explorer encountered a group of humpback whales while on expedition. Read on for breathtaking photos of the experience.
In 2001, Sarah Witcomb beat out thousands of hopeful contestants to win a nationwide search for the Jeopardy! Clue Crew. She's been traveling ever since.
Scientists Dr. Bob Pitman and Dr. John Durban have been studying killer whales on the National Geographic Explorer since 2011. Read on to learn about their findings.
We started our morning by visiting Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. We observed many sea lions at the beach. In the afternoon, we took one of the most fantastic walks in the Galapagos at Punta Suarez. On the rocky trail, we spotted albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, gulls, mockingbirds, and finches. It all made for an unforgettable day.
The last full day of our expedition brought us to San Cristobal Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Located in the center of the Galapagos archipelago, Santa Fe holds unique wildlife. We started the day with an invigorating hike and exploration of the coast. Red-footed boobies were a highlight for all. Upon returning to the beach area, young and playful Galapagos sea lions frolicked with everyone who entered the water. The afternoon revealed a rugged coastline and one of the most incredible, fine coralline sand beaches in the Galapagos. Shorebirds looked for sustenance in the shallows as sea lions finished their day lazing on the beach. Our final day finished as we passed by Kicker Rock and a setting sun.
The third day of our voyage brought us to Wallace Island, a small provincial marine park in British Columbia nestled between Victoria and Vancouver. The Island offers excellent hikes, as well as Zodiac cruises and an opportunity for our undersea specialists to explore an underwater shipwreck. Guests looking to get their heart rates up enjoyed the aerobic hike that covers the entire length of the island. For the more casual hikers, the island has some interesting remnants of the small resort that occupied Wallace Island in the 1950s. After the morning activities wrapped up, National Geographic Quest weighed anchor to slip through Seymor Narrows, a narrow gap in the archipelago that allows guests to see the impressive ship handling skills required to navigate in the Pacific Northwest. A more relaxed afternoon allowed ample time for whale watching and birding on the bow, as well as relaxing on the sundeck and attending the presentation of National Geographic expert and artist, Antonio Segura, who joined the voyage as an ambassador for art conservation.
Today we explored the island of Santiago. In the morning, we visited Buccaneer Cove by kayak, Zodiac, and even glass bottom boat. In the afternoon, we visited Puerto Egas where we had our last afternoon excursion of this expedition in the Galapagos Islands. The landscape today was full of wildlife and amazing geological formations that offered great opportunities for photography, conversations, and good memories with our dear guests.
We took a good look at a few giant tortoises in Urbina Bay, Isabela Island, but we all wanted a bit more giant tortoise information. These gentle giants are one of the most charismatic of the Galapagos characters. Where to start? At the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center managed by the Galapagos National Park Directorate in Puerto Ayora. Here, we saw them in all shapes and sizes, from babies a few months old to venerable reptiles older than all of us! Lindblad Expeditions supports local initiatives aimed at potentially diminishing the introduction of new invasive species. Granja Integral Ochoa is a place that provides this beneficial support. The hydroponic system is highly efficient and generates fresh vegetables without having to import them from mainland Ecuador. And the quality is so high we serve them to our guests and crew on an almost daily basis. Plus, the Ochoa family makes you feel at home with their warmth, freshly brewed coffee, and scrumptious empanadas. The day wasn’t over yet. Next, we went to Manzanillo Ranch for a meal and more interactions with Santa Cruz giant tortoises. Lunch was fabulous and the tortoises plentiful. It was another wonderful day in paradise!