Where to Explore: A Month-by-Month Guide
Every destination has its moment. Whether it's blue-footed boobies courting in the Galápagos, glaciers calving in Greenland or maple forests blazing across the Canadian Maritimes, timing can transform a journey.
To help inspire your travels, we've selected 12 remarkable destinations—one for each month of the year. From ancient cultural treasures and vibrant cities to remote wildernesses teeming with wildlife, these experiences showcase the many ways to explore our world.
These journeys are only a glimpse of what awaits aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet. Each ship is a gateway to discovery, carrying you deeper into the planet's wild and extraordinary places. Wherever your curiosity leads—toward culture, wildlife, landscapes or all of the above—countless adventures await.
January: Antarctica
In early Antarctica season, guests may spot gentoo chicks. Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Antarctica's austral summer is a season of new beginnings. Across bustling penguin colonies, fluffy chicks chase after their parents in search of food, with some beginning to molt into their adult plumage by month's end. Seal pups snooze on ice floes and bob between glittering bergs, while leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals are frequently spotted along the ice edge. The season's warmer temperatures and near-endless daylight bring constant activity to the landscape as glaciers calve dramatic icebergs into the sea, adding to the sense of energy and renewal that defines Antarctica in January.
Explore Antarctica Expeditions
February: Caribbean
Escape the cold weather on the tall-masted Sea Cloud II, exploring island nations such as Dominica, Antigua and more.
Swap puffy coats and blustery gales for balmy breezes and coral-sand beaches. The Sea Cloud II—a tall-masted sailing ship once owned by heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post—charts a course through the Caribbean’s azure seas, calling at hidden harbors and storied ports. Watch from on deck as the crew nimbly scales the rigging and sets the sails by hand, then go ashore for a rainforest trek or reef snorkel. These shores are steeped in pirate lore and colonial history, so be on the lookout for historic forts and naval outposts.
March: Upper Amazon
Expert guides will help you spot wildlife in the Amazon rainforest as you weave through river networks by skiff. Photo: David Vargas
Journey to the Upper Amazon in the wet season, when the rainforest reveals its most vibrant self. In March, heavy rains nurture a profusion of fruit and flowers, drawing wildlife in abundance. By skiff or kayak, slip into mirrored forests and flooded creeks that are inaccessible at other times of year, seeking out shimmering piranhas, pink dolphins and gentle manatees. High waters also bring you closer to the toucans, scarlet macaws and howler monkeys rustling in the canopy. When night falls, the adventure continues; amid a raucous jungle chorus, set out in search of frogs, fishing bats and the watchful black caiman.
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April: South Pacific
Guests can explore the lush landscapes of Polynesia in April by kayak, Zodiac and more. Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoons and palm-fringed shores define the dreamlike landscapes of the South Pacific. April is an especially appealing time to explore, as the region transitions from the wet season to the dry season. Tropical landscapes are lush from seasonal rains and calm seas create ideal conditions for discovering the islands by Zodiac, kayak and snorkel. With peak travel season still weeks away, visitors can enjoy a more intimate experience—whether strolling through Polynesian villages, learning about local traditions or soaking in the serenity of the region's breathtaking island landscapes.
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May: Scotland’s Northern Isles
Seabirds such as Atlantic Puffins begin to nest on seaside cliffs in May on Scotland's Northern Isles.
For a British Isles escape far from Big Ben and Stonehenge, head to the archipelagos of Shetland and Orkney, a realm of folklore and weatherworn coasts. Spring is when the isles awaken: Buds sprout across the moors and meadows, seabirds nest on cliff edges and lambs graze in fresh pastures. Brisk air and occasional drizzle are a fair trade for uncrowded landmarks: Wander the haunting 5,000-year-old stone dwellings of Skara Brae, and ponder the mysteries of the Ring of Brodgar, a circle of prehistoric megaliths.
June: Galápagos
A male blue-footed booby shows a courtship display, a common sight in Galápagos in June. Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
A journey to this legendary archipelago is nothing short of epic. While the Galápagos is thrilling year-round, June brings a season of renewal—with comfortably warm weather and wildlife rituals at their peak. Join local naturalists in spotting waved albatrosses nesting on their only breeding ground on Earth, Española, or blue-footed boobies engaged in their feet-flashing courtship dance. On land, giant tortoises roam the grasslands and feast on cactus pads, while beneath the waves, manta rays and dolphins abound.
July: Greenland
Receding ice from summer temperatures allow you to get up-close to towering glaciers in Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo: Michael S. Nolan
At the height of Arctic summer, Greenland reveals its wonders in extraordinary ways. Fjords and channels—normally locked in ice—open for navigation, offering views of calving icebergs, sheer granite cliffs and valleys sculpted by glaciers. Ice-free shores, calmer seas and extended daylight hours allow for more Zodiac landings. Step ashore at archaeological sites of early Arctic settlers or scan rocky shores for polar bears. Some routes lead to the Ilulissat Icefjord—home to the world’s most active glacier. Pair this destination with nearby Iceland, where geysers, lava fields and glacier-capped volcanoes make for an unforgettable two-country Arctic adventure.
August: Alaska
A young brown bear fishes for salmon on Chicagof Island. Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Alaska's wild frontier is on full display in late summer. As salmon begin their annual runs, brown bears gather along streams to feast while bald eagles soar overhead in search of their next meal. Humpback whales are a constant presence, surfacing in glacier-carved fjords framed by dense rainforests and snow-capped peaks. With daylight lingering well into the evening, there's more time to soak in the region's spectacular scenery—from aquamarine icebergs and tidewater glaciers to the wild waters where sea otters, Steller sea lions and other iconic Alaska wildlife thrive.
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September: Canadian Maritimes
September is the ideal time to visit the Canadian Maritimes, including the redstone cliffs of Quebec's Magdalen Islands.
Canada’s border stretches thousands of miles from coast to coast, but it’s the far eastern edge that casts an autumnal spell. Birch and maple forests ignite with color, gulf waters teem with fin and minke whales, and crisp air enlivens every hike. Explore dunes, red sandstone cliffs and alpine plateaus where moose and caribou roam. The cultural landscapes are just as compelling: Uncover 11th-century Norse ruins at L’Anse aux Meadows, connect with Indigenous heritage at sacred sites and stroll Québec City’s cobblestoned streets, echoing Old World Europe.
Explore the Canadian Maritimes on:
Sailing the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes
The Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland
October: Egypt
As the days cool in Egypt, you'll have amazing opportunities to roam the Giza Necropolis. Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Skip the scorching heat and early wake-up calls—October on the Nile brings cooler days and clear skies. With Egyptologist guides, trace 5,000 years of history: Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza, the relocated temples of Abu Simbel and Karnak’s soaring pylons and obelisks. Enjoy privileged access to the iconic Sphinx, its smile as enigmatic as its origins. A special highlight is the new Grand Egyptian Museum, where King Tut’s treasures—a golden chariot, jewelry, funerary masks—gleam among thousands of artifacts.
Explore Egypt on:
Passage Through Egypt Aboard Oberoi Philae
Exploring Egypt Aboard Sun Goddess
November: Patagonia
Pass by blooming flowers and plants on hikes that extend into the evening daylight hours. Photo: David Vargas
Early spring in the southern hemisphere brings a magical in-between season that is particularly picturesque. Firebush and golden lilies bloom, penguins return to shore and baby guanacos take their first steps. Weather shifts like crisp winds and sudden showers only add to the atmospheric beauty. Set out from our expedition ships to explore a private reserve with elephant seals, culpeo foxes and soaring Andean condors, then cruise fjords with glaciers still draped in snow. With longer daylight hours, there’s more time to explore—by Zodiac, kayak or on foot.
December: Danube River
Along the Danube, guests will explore a festive holiday market in the historic center of Frankfurt.
Few places embrace the holiday season quite like Central Europe. In December, the cities and towns along the Danube glow with festive lights as Christmas markets fill historic squares with handcrafted ornaments, seasonal treats and centuries-old traditions. Stroll through market stalls in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, warming up with mulled wine and local specialties, then return on board to festive celebrations and seasonal performances. Whether you're admiring illuminated landmarks, shopping for artisan gifts or ringing in the New Year in Vienna, a Danube voyage offers a front-row seat to the magic of the holidays.
Explore the Danube River on:
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Christmas and New Year's on the Danube: A Holiday Voyage
