The blow…a giant, audible exhale. Heads turned to look, hoping for a glance at the world’s second largest mammal, the fin whale. A single fin whale can be up to 85 feet long and weigh up to 160,000 pounds. At Cornwallis Island, guests aboard National Geographic Resolution had a once in a lifetime experience, the thrill and awe-inspiring delight of a super pod of fin whales. Audible and visible blows in every direction as far as the eye could see sent us all into sensory overload. The water surrounding the ship was filled with gentoo and chinstrap penguins, numerous seabirds, and an estimated 200 fin whales. The visual blow, the audible sound, the overloaded sensory experience…a day we will never forget.
3/8/2023
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National Geographic Explorer
At Sea
We approached the Beagle Channel on our final day on board National Geographic Explorer . The winds had calmed, and the sun was shining. This resulted in the perfect opportunity to spot sei whales, which are often found in the waters of the Beagle Channel. Naturalist Sophie Van Der Hart provided us with the first lecture of the day, sharing insights about the evolution of whales. We learned how whales truly became the giants of our oceans. After lunch, climate change in the Antarctic was the topic for discussion. Naturalist Zac Brown guided us through the impacts this pristine environment is facing due to a rapidly changing climate and the things we can do to help. The afternoon’s activities came to a close with a delightful tea prepared by the hotel team. The captain’s farewell cocktail party gave us the chance to reflect on the expedition with a premiere of the guest slideshow. We celebrated a fantastic exploration of the Southern Ocean as the photos in the slideshow reminded us of the amazing wildlife and scenery we have witnessed along the way. Cheers!
