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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is once again sailing to the breathtaking Belize Barrier Reef and venturing inland in search of elusive jaguars and mystical Mayan ruins. In 2022, experience this stunning geography aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion, a 62-guest expedition vessel once likened to Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso by National Geographic author Andrew Evans.
When we silence the engines and pause our excited conversations, a tranquil symphony emerges from the gently swaying canopy and undulating surf. Listen (sound on!) for a preview of your Belizean escape.
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Just added to our Belize expeditions! Waive the solo premium on select departures of Wild Belize Escape or Belize to Tikal and join our vibrant onboard community. See itinerary pages for details.
Belize & Guatemala
Special Offers
Length
9 days
From
$6,060
Prices are per person
Belize & Guatemala
Special Offers
Belize & Guatemala
Wild Escapes
Special Offers
Length
6 days
From
$4,110
Prices are per person
Belize & Guatemala
Wild Escapes
Special Offers
Discover temples and forests teeming with life. See remarkable ruins of pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Delve into the mystery and history amid stone temples, palaces, and terraces cut by ancient people. And dive into a wealth of biodiversity in the Northern Hemisphere’s largest reef system at the Belize Barrier Reef. Revel among hundreds of species of fish, marvelous sea turtles, graceful rays, over 90 varieties of coral, and with luck, manatees. As only a small percentage of the reef has been studied, researchers believe hundreds, even thousands more species could be discovered in this protected zone.
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Henry David Thoreau called it the "tonic of wildness." It’s what Belize and Guatemala, with their beauty and wildness intact, give you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, add the luxury of comfort to the privilege of being here—with a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest and most vibrant reef system in the Northern Hemisphere—though it's seldom explored and known to few. Watch and see why we're eager to return in 2022.
Katie Mills-Orcutt, Naturalist/Expedition Diver, January 28, 2022
View more daily expedition ReportsI don’t know if it could get any better than having guides who are super knowledgeable about the way of life today and the way of life 2,000 years ago.
Sarah D.
2/13/2022
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Today we woke up to a beautiful sunrise o n National Geographic Sea Lion in Belize. We are getting ready to do an inland activity that will take us to a waterfall to enjoy part of the day and the possibility to do tubing down a river called South Stan Creek River. It was my first time and I was very impressed by the natural beauty of the waterfall and the rock formation. We enjoyed about an hour at the falls then took a drive to the tubing site. We passed by land once used for growing oranges and bananas. At the private waterfall and river access, we did some swimming and tubing. Some guests saw scarlet macaws while tubing. It was a great expedition to the foot of a Mayan mountain. This afternoon, after a spectacular lunch, we rode Zodiacs to a place called the Yacht Club. Here we got the chance to enjoy a performance by the Garifuna Collective, a group that plays a kind of music known as punta. It was a fond farewell to Belize.
2/12/2022
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National Geographic Sea Lion
The sun rose today with the promise of a fantastic day. As we swung on the mooring on the south side of Half Moon Caye at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, we observed the 50 feet drop-off below us, which dropped 1,500 additional feet to a deep cobalt blue. Everyone was excited as we sped six miles north to the Great Blue Hole. A beautiful rim of shallow corals surrounds a 1,000-foot wide marine sinkhole, a collapsed cavern in a now submerged cave system. Purple sea fans, green rope sponges and various mounds of stony corals are home to fish of so many shapes and colors. The highlight was a great hammerhead that swam into the Blue Hole just 20 feet below a group of snorkelers. Back at Half Moon Caye, baby red-footed boobies have grown quickly and become more active. The birds move around their flimsy nests in the orange-flowered ziricote trees. Unfortunately, the nests become unstable sometimes, and a baby falls. Today, two baby birds were rescued from the forest floor and taken for rehabilitation to the Belize Audubon Society’s field station and then to the Belize Bird Rescue. In a few weeks, the boobies will return to their home for a soft release back into the wild. With a painted sunset, the day ended for happy explorers onboard National Geographic Sea Lion .
2/11/2022
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National Geographic Sea Lion
We woke up early this morning to venture upstream on the Monkey River. Our early morning start gave us an opportunity to view wildlife during the most active time of day, just after dawn. Starting in Monkey River Town, we picked up our guides who expertly navigated the shallow river while pointing out shore dwelling birds and iguanas. Farther upriver, we heard what sounded like dinosaurs in the trees. We slowed our motors and viewed a whole troop of howler monkeys feeding. Male howler monkeys have an enlarged hyoid bone in their throat that amplifies their voice, making each “howl” identifiable for miles around. After our jungle cruise, we repositioned the boat to Laughingbird Caye, a national park and World Heritage Site. We spent the afternoon lounging and snorkeling. Calm seas allowed for impressive views of the corals and shoaling fish. Some snorkelers even spotted nurse sharks and barracudas in the shallows. Just another day in paradise here in Belize!
2/10/2022
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Today we celebrate Belize’s beauty below and above her crystal blue waters. The first day of our expedition gives us an idea of the diversity and density of charismatic animals.
2/8/2022
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Today begins with morning coffee and breakfast on National Geographic Sea Lion . This morning we are at the Half Moon Caye and it will be a day to remember. The Great Blue Hole is the second largest barrier reef. Coming here has always been one of the must-do activities of visitors to Belize. The weather and wind are always factors when visiting the Half Moon Caye because of we are in open waters. Today, conditions were calm and almost windless. The water was pristine, and the reef was beautiful. Half Moon Caye is known as one of the seven natural wonders, and we can see why. After a snorkeling experience over the blue abyss, we took the smooth boat ride back to the ship for lunch. The afternoon activities were also amazing. We visited Half Moon Caye where we enjoyed the natural state of the island. We saw red-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds, who were always trying to steal food meant for the booby chicks. The cycle of life goes on as we end the day and leave the island for the ship’s next destination.
Sven-Olof Lindblad
2022-24 Voyages
