Discover Guanacaste, Costa Rica. These stunning photographs of the wildlife, people, beaches, and forests of Guanacaste give you a taste of our new itinerary.
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.
Help release rehabilitated sea turtles and learn more about turtle conservation at the Latin American Sea Turtles Association on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
From mist-shrouded rainforests to colorful coral reefs, this incredibly biodiverse country entices nature lovers with an incredible variety of experiences. Let our guide help you decide what to see—and how.
We'll take "things that make you go aww!" for $1000. From sloths to sea lions, these cute baby animal photos will have you packing your bags for Costa Rica, Baja, Antarctica and beyond.
The wildest of Costa Rica’s wild places are also the least accessible—unless you approach by expedition ship. Here are more reasons to explore this region from the sea.
Keep your camera close at hand. In Guanacaste, breathtaking natural beauty waits around every corner—from mist-shrouded volcanoes to remote jungle waterfalls.
One recent guest aboard the National Geographic Quest shares his 10 moments of discoveries from his voyage, including a surprise visit from a family of humpback whales.
Our adventure began with high hopes for Royal Bay and Drygalski Fjord in South Georgia. After a peaceful breakfast aboard National Geographic Endurance , we arrived at Royal Bay where we marveled at the towering ice walls from the ship, setting an awe-inspiring tone for the day. Leaving the massive walls of ice surrounding the bay, we navigated through spectacular fjords where pristine glaciers were accompanied by graceful snow petrels gliding against the icy-blue backdrop. Our day culminated in Cooper Bay with exhilarating Zodiac cruises, where we encountered a bustling world of wildlife. Macaroni penguins perched along rocky ledges, fur seals lounged by the water, and we were even graced by a close encounter with a massive leopard seal. The evening wrapped up with insightful recaps and a delicious dinner, a perfect close to an unforgettable day in South Georgia.
The final day of our extraordinary expedition in Aotearoa, New Zealand had us exploring our southernmost points of Ulva and Stewart Islands. We began the day looking for native and endemic birds at Ulva Island and had a final stroll in the small town of Oban on Stewart Island. The sun was out, the seas were calm, and it was a perfect finish to our voyage.
Today we were privileged to have been granted permission to visit La Tapera Park, a private, protected area. Owned by a Chilean family, this park is open to people with an interest in nature, and being so remote, access is complicated to say the least. We were the first expedition ship to ever visit the area, and thanks to the incredible skills of Captain Heidi Norling and the bridge team, we crossed into the previously uncharted waters, only recently covered by a glacier. We sailed close to land where no ship had ever been before!
Another phenomenal day was had in Fiordland National Park as National Geographic Orion departed our anchorage in Doubtful Sound in the morning and headed on to Dusky Sound. Mother Nature showed us all of her glory with a full range of weather as we plied the waters via ship and Zodiac. Birds galore and a visit by Hector’s dolphins whet the appetite for our intrepid explorers as we witnessed the spectacular geology and flora of this area.
The wind was gusting 60 knots between us and New Island when we woke up this morning, even the birds were struggling to find their way. Plans onboard National Geographic Explorer pivoted to presentations from our talented naturalists while we waited for the weather to calm down as forecasted. We were provided with gems of information, including “Introduction to Expedition Photography” and “Baleen Whales of the Southern Ocean”. The weather played to our favor in the afternoon, allowing us to land on the beach to a welcoming cacophony of kelp geese. A short hike took us to sheer cliffs on the other side of the island where thousands of albatross and rockhopper penguins were busy mating. With albatross soaring overhead and rockhoppers hopping up from the shore, it was a wonder how close we could be to this hive of activity, with the birds paying no attention to our presence. Wildlife up close and personal is a memorable experience.