National Geographic Quest

Born in the USA, she and her sister National Geographic Venture are at home in pan-American waters

Overview

When she rolled out of Nichols Brothers shipyard and into the bay on Whidbey Island, the 100-guest National Geographic Quest became the third ship in the Lindblad fleet built at this storied Pacific Northwest shipyard. In the 1970s, Nichols Brothers built the twin ships National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, which continue to sail the waters of the west coast of North America and Central America. National Geographic Quest and her twin sister, National Geographic Venture, also explore in these regions.

National Geographic Quest was purpose-built to explore the North American coast, her design and engineering informed by our nearly 40 years of experience in these regions. Her twin boarding platforms, for example, were suggested by a veteran staffer. Enabling our team to load two Zodiacs at once means guests get off the ship quickly to take advantage of wildlife sightings and maximize exploring time.

Larger than her siblings National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Quest has the same shallow draft, allowing her captain to navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate, "insider" experiences in these charismatic regions. Modern cleaned-lined, with large expanses of glass to keep you connected to the extraordinary views, National Geographic Quest enables you to see, do, and experience the best of her geographies.

(11) National Geographic Quest Itineraries

NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins.  Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details. 

Belize & Guatemala

Belize to Tikal: Reefs, Rivers & Ruins of The Maya World

Duration

9 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb

From

$6,741

Prices are per person

Highlights

Belize & Guatemala

Belize to Tikal: Reefs, Rivers & Ruins of The Maya World

Duration

9 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb

From

$6,741

Top Highlights

  • Venture into the jungles of Guatemala with local experts to discover the spectacular temples and pyramids of both Tikal and Yaxhá
  • Spot rainbow-colored fish, turtles, and rays while snorkeling or diving the corals of the Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest barrier reef systems in the world
  • Explore Belize’s coastal rivers by Zodiac, to sight toucans, green iguanas, and other wildlife
  • See dazzling birdlife and monkeys amid a towering forest in the Maya Biosphere Reserve—twice the size of Yellowstone National Park, it is home to over 400 bird species

Pacific Northwest

Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey

Duration

8 days
  1. Apr
  2. Sep
  3. Oct

From

$4,410

Prices are per person

Highlights

Pacific Northwest

Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey

Duration

8 days
  1. Apr
  2. Sep
  3. Oct

From

$4,410

Top Highlights

  • Sail in the wake of Lewis and Clark and their legendary Corps of Discovery expedition
  • Spend a day cruising through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, taking in the views from the bow and perfecting your landscape photography skills
  • Taste the bounty of the region through their harvests and fresh, local, and delectable cuisine
  • Experience the region up close on water-level Zodiac and kayak forays on the Palouse River or by hiking monumental Beacon Rock
  • Transit a series of eight locks that lift the ship 700 feet—10 times the elevation of the Panama Canal

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Duration

8 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Dec

From

$5,115

Prices are per person

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Duration

8 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Dec

From

$5,115

Top Highlights

  • Venture into remote wilderness: hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, and explore far from any inhabited places
  • Transit the Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and in the coolness of night—plus an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute
  • Discover the wild rainforests of Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic dubbed “the most biologically intense place on Earth”
  • Explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take a Zodiac cruise up a wild river
  • Meet the Emberá people of Panama, who welcome us into their village, and meet others working to protect this eco paradise

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica's Cloud Forest through the Panama Canal

Duration

11 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Dec

From

$9,210

Prices are per person

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica's Cloud Forest through the Panama Canal

Duration

11 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Dec

From

$9,210

Top Highlights

  • Kayak, hike, swim, and snorkel; actively explore these idyllic islands and hidden waterways, getting the same enriching experience offered on our eight-day Costa Rica and Panama expedition
  • Plus, explore Costa Rica’s rugged interior among the mist-shrouded wild forests of Monteverde
  • Sail into remote wilderness; hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds; and explore far from any inhabited places
  • Transit the Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and in the coolness of night—plus an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute
  • Explore idyllic islands; snorkel over a vibrant coral reef and take a Zodiac along jungle shores teeming with birds

Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

Duration

8 days
  1. May
  2. Jun
  3. Jul
  4. Aug
  5. Sep

From

$6,223

Prices are per person

Highlights

Alaska

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

Duration

8 days
  1. May
  2. Jun
  3. Jul
  4. Aug
  5. Sep

From

$6,223

Top Highlights

  • Hike through lush forests and muskegs, kayak into secluded inlets, and cruise by Zodiac among electric blue icebergs and curious wildlife
  • By special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
  • If schedules permit, our conservation partners from the Alaska Whale Foundation will come aboard to meet with us and speak about the local whale population
  • Discover Alaska’s seldom-seen, vibrant marine life revealed by our undersea specialist
  • Hike and kayak in the wild remote areas of Tongass National Forest by special permit

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Duration

8 days
  1. Oct
  2. Nov

From

$4,718

Prices are per person

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Duration

8 days
  1. Oct
  2. Nov

From

$4,718

Top Highlights

  • Transit the Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and in the coolness of night—plus an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island
  • Visit the palm-shaded Panamanian archipelago of Guna Yala (formerly San Blas Islands), an autonomous province that is home to the indigenous Guna people, and get immersed in local culture
  • Discover the coastal treasures and remote wilderness of Colombia, exploring vibrant villages, pristine beaches, and wildlife-rich jungles
  • Explore Colombia’s rainforests, among the most biodiverse on Earth, with almost 1,900 bird species and an astonishing list of approximately 450 mammals

Alaska

Canada

Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia

Duration

14 days
  1. May
  2. Aug
  3. Sep

From

$9,032

Prices are per person

Highlights

Alaska

Canada

Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia

Duration

14 days
  1. May
  2. Aug
  3. Sep

From

$9,032

Top Highlights

  • Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise where killer whales reliably gather each year to hunt among the numerous uninhabited isles’ remote inlets and bays
  • By special permit, sail into Glacier Bay National Park and pass a full day taking in the grand scale of the mountains, fjords, and active glaciers
  • Spend an afternoon strolling the streets of the 100-year-old town of Petersburg learning about its fishing industry and Norwegian heritage
  • In Misty Fjords National Monument, kayak along sheer, glacially carved cliffs and forested backwaters
  • In British Columbia explore along the shores of forested islands to see whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles

Belize & Guatemala

Wild Belize Escape: Wildlife, Reefs, and Rivers

Duration

6 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb

From

$4,551

Prices are per person

Highlights

Belize & Guatemala

Wild Belize Escape: Wildlife, Reefs, and Rivers

Duration

6 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb

From

$4,551

Top Highlights

  • Paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard in turquoise lagoons and board Zodiacs to cruise wildlife-rich coastal rivers
  • Spot turtles, rays, and myriad species of colorful fish while snorkeling or diving the coral gardens of the Belize barrier reef
  • Join a naturalist for a hike in Mayflower Bocawina National Park and learn about the latest research on jaguars
  • Enjoy a festive drumming performance from the internationally acclaimed Garifuna Collective

California Coast

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Duration

5 days
  1. Apr
  2. Sep
  3. Oct
  4. Nov
  5. Dec

From

$2,520

Prices are per person

Highlights

California Coast

Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park

Duration

5 days
  1. Apr
  2. Sep
  3. Oct
  4. Nov
  5. Dec

From

$2,520

Top Highlights

  • Explore the islands by walking miles of trails, paddling crystal-clear waters by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, exploring by Zodiac, or photographing breathtaking landscapes and bird colonies
  • Hike in a Torrey Pine grove, one of only two on Earth, and enjoy a picnic lunch with sweeping views of the natural harbor
  • See iconic animals such as the American bison, bald eagles, and the Channel Island fox
  • Visit the famous community of Avalon, a haven for movie stars in Hollywood’s golden era

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Costa Rica Escape: Exploring Guanacaste’s Natural Wonders

Duration

6 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Nov

From

$3,142

Prices are per person

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Costa Rica Escape: Exploring Guanacaste’s Natural Wonders

Duration

6 days
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Nov

From

$3,142

Top Highlights

  • Navigate the pristine coastline of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, snorkel crystalline waters, and explore wildlife-rich parks and preserves
  • Discover diverse tropical ecosystems while exploring via kayak and paddleboard, on foot, and soaring by zipline
  • Spend an afternoon enjoying Isla Tortuga’s palm-shaded beaches before a barbecue dinner on the sand
  • Explore the volcanic landscapes of Rincón de la Vieja National Park and search for exotic wildlife, from monkeys to macaws

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Guanacaste & Monteverde: Costa Rica’s Mangroves, Mists & Mountains

Duration

9 days
  1. Nov
  2. Dec

From

$5,532

Prices are per person

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Guanacaste & Monteverde: Costa Rica’s Mangroves, Mists & Mountains

Duration

9 days
  1. Nov
  2. Dec

From

$5,532

Top Highlights

  • Glide through a mangrove forest to see reddish egrets, spoonbills, white ibis, and crocodiles
  • Snorkel the rich underwater world near Islas Murcielagos
  • Venture through the Guanacaste Conservation Area by kayak or Zodiac, or on foot
  • Explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which is alive with active volcanoes and gurgling mud pots and replete with howler monkeys, waterfalls, and an optional zip line
  • Search for the elusive northern tamandua (anteater) at Curu National Wildlife Range

Talk to an experience specialist

1-800-397-3348

Make a reservation

Book Now

View or order a brochure

View brochure

Talk to an experience specialist

1-800-397-3348

Make a reservation

Book Now

View or order a brochure

View brochure