DEC 2019
4 Min Read
Featured Articles
APR 2020
3 Min Read
The Inian Islands: Where Alaska's Wildlife Gathers
In Brief
JUN 2020
4 Min Read
The Wonders of Corcovado National Park
Costa Rica's wild crown jewel is a biodiversity epicenter teeming with unique flora and fauna.
JUL 2021
3 Min Read
The Wild, Wonderful & Weird Birds of New Zealand
Nearly half of New Zealand’s 200 fascinating bird species are endemic including an alpine parrot, tiny kororā penguin, and the iconic kiwi.
JUN 2021
5 Min Read
Secrets of South Carolina's Salt Marsh
South Carolina is home to about a half-million acres of salt marsh—more than any other Atlantic coast state. Find out what lies within this dynamic ecosystem on two brand-new itineraries.
JUN 2021
3 Min Read
Why Galápagos Makes the Ideal Summer 'Vaxication'
A new word has entered the lexicon—'vaxication'—coined to capture the sense of elation and possibility being vaccinated inspires. See why Galápagos is the natural choice for your first foray back to travel and adventure.
Daily Expedition Reports
Jul 21
Read
National Geographic Quest
Youkeen Cove and Pavlof Harbor
While heading towards Youkeen Inlet, we spotted numerous columnar blows on the horizon. These whale blows were very close together. We had found what we were looking for. A group of humpback whales were exhibiting a cooperative feeding behavior. As the National Geographic Quest got closer, we counted twelve whales that participated in the group. We stayed with them for some time, and at the end, when we though the experience was about to end, one whale breached right after another on a spectacular double breach! At Youkeen Cove, we explored the temperate rain forest, walking through ancestral bear trails and experiencing the diverse intertidal life at extreme low tide. Many of us decided to kayak and even to try out the paddle boards. Paddling our own craft in Southeast Alaska was worth the effort! Later, the National Geographic Quest , repositioned to Freshwater Bay, on Chichagof Island. Our goal was to look for bears on the river, where salmon have just started to congregate to spawn. Although bears decided not to show up, we spent enough time out in the wilderness, listening, observing, and just taking in the moment. Hundreds of pink salmon splashed on the surface of the clear water, and we learned the multiple connections between the salmon’s life cycle and the nature of the temperate rain forest. While we were waiting, a young bald eagle, landed in the shallow water, where many salmon had been trapped by the outgoing tide. We could tell that this bird had recently learned how to become independent. It was attempting to catch fish, without seeming to realize how big and strong the salmon could be. With apparent excitement and fear at the same time, this young eagle kept catching salmon that were too big to handle. The eagle finally realized that its efforts were not ending in any reward and flew away, to rest on a distant spruce branch. As these words were being written, a group of transient orcas appeared close to the ship. At the same time, two different cooperative groups of humpback whales became quite active. All this happened right next to Point Augusta.
Jul 21
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Lake Eva, Southeast Alaska
This morning, I overheard a comment from a guest to her partner, who had just joined us on the bow. “I was worried about you, but not worried enough to come find you,” she said. Those of us around her had to laugh. We understood. No one wanted to walk away, fear of missing anything. A very active group of transient (Bigg’s) killer whales captured our attention, moving fast, splashing, hunting, spy-hopping. They had already been preceded by pre-breakfast sighting of humpback whales, and those awake earlier enough saw a salmon shark. Our afternoon comprised kayaking and introductions to the Southeast Alaska rainforest with hikes at Lake Eva. What a day! Another comment overheard on the bow today: “We are setting the bar too high on Day One.”
Jul 21
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
LeConte Bay, Frederick Sound
This morning started out grey, but it’s the blue of the ice that we will forever remember. Bergs cast off by LeConte Glacier are transported through the fjord by ceaseless tides and steady breezes. This glacial ice, this metamorphic rock, this ice gemstone captivates our eyes, our minds, our souls. This is Alaska, someone says. The mountains and the ice. The blue and the white. The wild and the wonder.
Jul 21
Read
National Geographic Endeavour II
Española Island
On our first full day exploring the Enchanted Isles, our beautiful ship took us to Española, or Hood Island. Located in the southeastern extreme of the archipelago, this is one of the oldest and most amazing islands. Here, critters have had a longer span of time to evolve into new forms from their ancestors, having established themselves in the area thousands of years ago.
Jul 21
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Kashavarof Island Group and Bushy Island
Today we awoke to mist gently rolling over the Kashavarof Islands, our destination for this morning. With the trees peeking through the mist, we were ready to explore by Zodiac and kayak. Whilst the tide was rising, we had enough of the intertidal zone visible, but the real treat was the wildlife with several mink, both river and sea otters, and an eagle with its fresh salmon catch. As we transited to our afternoon destination, we were entertained by Dall’s porpoises coming to investigate the ship and several humpback whales. Then it was off to Bushy Island where we broke into groups to bushwhack, wander in the forest, and explore the tide pools. Some brave folks then chose to jump of the Zodiacs into the cold water as part of the “polar plunge.”