Expedition Stories

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

World View

coastal landscape - rocks and moss with an island in the background

9/20/2021

2 Min Read

Where Is the Salish Sea?

The name “Salish Sea” is a relatively new term coined to describe the Pacific Northwest's most unique ecosystem. Read on to learn more, and then join us this fall to experience it for yourself.

World View

11/16/2022

4 Min Read

Notable Birds of the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest harbors a diversity of habitats ideal for birdlife like the rhinoceros auklet, Steller’s jay, and red-breasted sapsucker. These are just a few of the species to spot on expeditions in the region.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Follow Along

Daily Expedition Reports

5/4/2025

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National Geographic Venture

Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska

This morning, we sailed north out of British Columbia, Canada and entered Alaskan waters. We explored Misty Fjords National Monument, a wilderness area which is part of Tongass National Forest. We were surrounded by steep rock cliffs, snow-capped mountains, U-shaped valleys, and numerous waterfalls. It was simply breathtaking!

Daily Expedition Reports

5/4/2025

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National Geographic Sea Bird

Masset, Haida Gwaii

Today was the first day we arrived on the Pacific Coastal Islands of Haida Gwaii. We had a beautiful morning sailing into Skidegate. After an early breakfast, we disembarked to take buses north to the community of Masset. Christian White, an incredibly talented carver, showed us his totem pole carvings, it was the celebration of 20 years since one was erected. We got to tour his workshop where he has a canoe in progress.   The second group visited the home of James Hart, an accomplished artist who shared some of his work, such as a raven rattle and his bronze shaman statue. The kindness of these men, to invite us into their homes and share their stories, was incredible.   We returned to Christian White’s where a feast was prepared with venison stew, Caesar salad with herring eggs, black seaweed flakes, salmon, pickled beach asparagus, spruce tip and fireweed juice, and many more delicious local delicacies. Dances and songs were demonstrated and to finish it all up, there was a dance for the women, followed by a dance for the men. These visits are always special, and we felt honored to be able to visit and learn from the Haida.

Daily Expedition Reports

5/4/2025

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National Geographic Quest

Port of Los Angeles

Last night, after much deliberation by the captain and expedition leader, our ship returned to the Port of Los Angeles to avoid high seas and winds.   We made the most of our day in the city by taking advantage of well-crafted excursion. In the morning, many guests enjoyed the Aquarium of the Pacific, while others toured the USS Iowa, and others went for hikes and tidepool adventures near the bluffs of Palos Verde. The highlight of the tidepool adventure was finding an octopus under a rock!   We all returned to National Geographic Quest for a very informative presentation by National Geographic Expert in Geology, Kirt Kempter.   After lunch, we had another round of options, with a majority of guests visiting the beautiful Huntington Gardens, others learning about the last 45,000 years of fossils found in the La Brea Tar Pits, and plenty of others choosing to hike a challenging trail in Palos Verde.   Spirits were high when we set sail towards the Northern Channel Islands after dinner, and all were looking forward to a presentation from Tim Hatler.

Daily Expedition Reports

5/4/2025

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National Geographic Gemini

South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands

Today, we explored two islands. In the morning, we hiked along the trail of South Plaza. In the afternoon, we visited Santa Fe Island. At South Plaza, we observed several Galapagos land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls with their young, and Galapagos sea lions. We admired the beauty around us.   We returned aboard and swam from the ship. Later, we navigated toward Santa Fe Island. We had our first opportunity to snorkel from the Zodiacs in a protected bay. We encountered different species of fish and spotted some green sea turtles in the bay.   Late in the afternoon, we returned to Santa Fe for a hike along the volcanic terrain to look for Santa Fe land iguanas or to relax with a short walk on a sandy beach that is home to a large colony of Galapagos sea lions.

Daily Expedition Reports

5/4/2025

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National Geographic Delfina

Genovesa

After six hours of navigation through the night, we anchored in Darwin’s Bay, named after the well known naturalist, even though he never made it to this island. Early in the morning, part of our group headed to Prince Phillip´s Steps. Up on the cliffs, we witnessed a whole community of marine birds, and unphased by our presence, we were able to observe their natural behaviors.   After a pleasant kayaking excursion and a delicious lunch, we enjoyed more of the boobies, frigatebirds, and gulls, but in a different environment.   We finished our day with refreshing snorkeling to test our equipment and returned to National Geographic Delfina where we were gifted by a beautiful sunset.