Expedition Stories

Our fleet navigates the world in search of adventure. These are the stories they bring back…

World View

12/30/2019

4 Min Read

Getting to Know the Guna People

Spending a day under the coconut palms of Guna Yala, off the northeastern Caribbean coast of Panama, is a rare chance to experience a traditional way of life that can also seem decades ahead of its time.

World View

5/18/2022

3 Min Read

Wild Personalities: Coati

A close relative of the raccoon, the coati inhabits The Americas where it can be spotted from Arizona all the way down to northern Uruguay.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Follow Along

Daily Expedition Reports

5/1/2024

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National Geographic Orion

Beqa, Fiji

Naiseuseu, on the island of Beqa, has become a favorite place for us in Fiji. It was a joy to be there again for community visits, and the meke (song and dance) at Lawaki Beach House. After a full morning, we spent the afternoon at sea en route to Vanuatu.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/30/2024

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National Geographic Quest

Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands

High swells prevented landing on Anacapa Island this morning, so we anchored off the protected side and enjoyed extended Zodiac cruising through intermittent misty fog. We saw (and heard) many sea lions on the beaches and watched the young ones perform ‘investigative circling’ around the Zodiacs. A pair of harbor seals swam in the kelp canopy and the skies were filled with soaring pelicans and western gulls. We also learned about the giant kelp, and many sampled a piece, generally conceding that it was ‘salty bland’.   During brunch, we traveled across gently rolling seas to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, passing through a large pod of long-beaked dolphins. Some peeled off to ride our bow wave, gracefully rolling and looking up at us while we looked down on them. Afternoon activities consisted of three varieties of hikes, each offering sightings of the endemic island scrub jay and the lovable island fox. Heavy rains during the previous winter created a ’50 Shades of Green’ scene, punctuated with colors of many different flowers. Cloudless skies added to the overall magic.   After a final dinner and introduction of the hotel staff, we watched the traditional guest slideshow, reliving precious memories.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/30/2024

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National Geographic Orion

Taveuni, Fiji Islands

This morning we sailed into a gorgeous sunrise as we made our way to Taveuni. A pod of pilot whales spotted in the morning was a good sign for the great day that lay ahead of us. It started with us traveling to the village of Waitabu. Here, we participated in a sacred kava ceremony. The ceremony was followed by performances of dance and music by the people of Waitabu. The gracious community also had fresh fruit and baked goods for us to try. We then headed to Bouma National Heritage Park. Here we had a short walk to the most amazing waterfall and guests swam in the refreshing waters.   We returned to National Geographic Orion for lunch then shortly after, we jumped back into our Zodiacs. We jetted over to the Waitabu Marine Park for an afternoon snorkel.   It was an amazing day in Fiji, full of memories that will last a lifetime.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/29/2024

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Today is Glacier Bay day! And what a day we had. We woke this morning to welcome our park ranger guests and off we set to explore the park. Our rangers are here as our hosts, teaching us about the park and her inhabitants.   First stop was South Marble Island to look for puffins, as well as other wildlife. We found tufted-puffins, heaps actually. Next, we went to Gloomy Nob, and we hit the jackpot! Starting off with sea otters floating everywhere. Then we spotted mountain goats, a black bear, a couple of coastal brown bears napping, and a couple of wolves, one black and one grey. It was an insane two hours of sightings!   Onward we traveled toward Marjorie Glacier, enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery. Once we arrived at the glacier face, a silence came over us all – to stand in the beauty of both the grand Pacific and Marjorie was something for which we all felt grateful.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/29/2024

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National Geographic Quest

Santa Rosa Island

Santa Rosa Island was in full bloom for our day of exploration on “the grasslands in the wind.” The Chumash name for Santa Rosa Island is Wimal, which means driftwood. With the winds gusting, it was easy to see why the Chumash used the driftwood from this island to create their seafaring tomols, or canoes, to travel between islands and to the mainland.   Guests had an extraordinary experience lucking upon a Santa Rosa Island fox in the Torrey Pine grove at the end of a delightful uphill climb. Others were in amazement and delight of the wildflowers that stunned us with their spectacular colors. Back at the ship, our underwater team captivated us all with their video footage of the magical world below the waterline.