In this episode of Meet the Fleet, Captain Oliver Kruess shares why sailing South Georgia aboard National Geographic Endurance is one of the best and safest ways to explore this unbelievable subantarctic island.
After enjoying an astonishing sunrise by Isla Tortuga, an extinct volcano, we headed towards the historic town of Santa Rosalia, founded by copper miners in the 1800s. It seemed that time had stopped as we walked through the main street with its houses built from wood imported from California in the U.S. Now labeled “Pueblo Magico” by the Mexican government, the town will be preserved and promoted as a tourist destination. We visited the “El Boleo “Museum, the former office of the mining company, as well as Santa Barbara Church, designed by Gustav Eiffel, a world-famous civil engineer. After having lunch aboard the ship, we sailed in search of marine life. We observed humpback and fin whales, marine birds, and a couple of dolphin pods. It was the perfect end to another day in paradise itself. Gracias, Baja California Sur.
Our visits to Hood River, Oregon and Stevenson, Washington offered a perfect slice of spring in the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls was rushing, wildflowers abounded on our hikes in Beacon Rock State Park, and the sun sparkled during a wine tasting event hosted by the Columbia Gorge Museum. Guests of National Geographic Sea Bird enjoyed the bounty of the season on our journey down the Columbia River!
We began the day anchored off the coast of Montserrat, an island that was devastated by a volcanic eruption that made two-thirds of the island uninhabitable. The Emerald Time Capsule – Volcano and Plymouth Tour offered a powerful look at the 1997 eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, featuring a visit to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and a walk through the haunting remains of Plymouth in the Exclusion Zone. A second option, the Duberry-Cassava Nature Trail Hike, took guests on a peaceful rainforest loop through Montserrat’s northern terrain, showcasing native plants and birds. Montserrat was also the homeland of one of the Caribbean’s most successful soca musicians. Born Alphonsus Cassel, Arrow’s 1982 hit song “Hot, Hot, Hot” is an iconic party anthem. By late afternoon, we arrived in Antigua and docked for the night. Guests were invited to explore ashore independently. The day concluded with the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., including a showing of the guest slideshow, followed by a special Farewell Dinner in the dining room.
National Geographic Delfina left the western realm of the Galápagos Islands, and today we visited Santiago Island. This is a historic place, as Darwin camped here for several days. We started the day with an early natural history walk at a place called Puerto Egas. We saw marine iguanas, fur sea lions, a young sea lion playing with a pufferfish, and more. After that, we enjoyed a beautiful moment relaxing in the warm water at the beach. In the afternoon, we changed location to Buccaneer Cove, where we enjoyed more water activities, such as snorkeling and panga rides along the shores of the bay. As the sun began to set over the calm waters of the cove, we reflected on another unforgettable day in this extraordinary archipelago, where nature continues to astonish at every turn.
Today, we explored the wild beauty of Dominica, fondly known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean.” With lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and more than 300 rivers, it remains one of the Caribbean’s most untouched and captivating destinations. Rooted in Kalinago heritage, colonial struggles between the French and British, and independence in 1978, the island’s history mirrors the depth and diversity of its landscapes. Our morning took us into Morne Diablotin National Park, home to Dominica’s tallest mountain. There, we enjoyed a peaceful 1.5-mile walk along the Syndicate Nature Trail, surrounded by dense rainforest. We kept our eyes peeled for Dominica’s iconic parrots and were lucky to spot a few jaco parrots soaring above the treetops. In the afternoon, we visited Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park. This restored 18th-century British garrison, once home to over 600 soldiers, now offers sweeping views of Prince Rupert Bay and a powerful glimpse into the island’s colonial past. We wrapped up the day with an informative cocktail hour and recap, a delicious dinner, and the always-anticipated Crew Show. It was a nice mix of nature, history, and fun — a lovely experience on this remarkable island.
