As all good things must come to an end, and National Geographic Explorer continued its journey north through the Drake Passage with diminishing seas. With the Antarctic peninsula behind us, guests spent time recollecting their experience and enjoying their images as our natural history team delivered a series of lectures and entertainment. With blue skies and not a whitecap to be seen upon the water, we approached the infamous Cape Horn, which looked docile as could be. Due to the upwelling here from the continental shelf, many a bird circled the ship in search of a meal, reminding all on board that any good sea expedition entails a communion with the seabirds. Soon to be in the port of Ushuaia and headed elsewhere or home, we’re all wondering, “Where to next?”
2/28/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.