Discovery package is per person and includes complimentary Enhanced Wi-Fi, a $250USD laundry credit, and a commemorative jacket and backpack. Discovery Package must be communicated at time of booking.
We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards
The Expedition Experience
These expeditions enable you to take the God-view of a sweeping and fascinating geography or zoom down into a close-up. Explore rarely visited islands, isolated by expanses of ocean. In the Azores, linger amid towering basalt peaks, bubbling hot springs, nutrient-rich waters, emerald-green farmlands, and within a rich history. Experience the warmth and hospitality of the locals as they share a glimpse into their island life with traditional dishes, world-class wine and cheese tastings, fado music and the beauty of each destination.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$10,940
Prices are per person
Highlights
Atlantic Isles
Europe & British Isles
New
Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards
Duration
10 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$10,940
Top Highlights
Go whale-watching, follow scenic hiking trails, and learn of the volcanic history unique to the Azores
Discover the varied past and the stories of explorers, whalers, and conquerors who all had a part in weaving the tapestry of island history
Experience the commitment the locals have to sustainable growth and protecting the natural beauty and ecosystems of the archipelago
Immerse yourself in the theme of island exploration and make plenty of discoveries of your own: virgin wildness, world-class whale watching, gardens in bloom, birds, and ancient lore. Discover them through curated daily activities—in our decades of exploring we’ve found the best hikes to see wildlife, where whales come to feed, and the top cuisine and cultural sites. See terraced hillsides, verdant forests and craggy canyons, and receive a world-class welcome from the friendly locals everywhere you travel.
There’s no need to dress up, ever; life aboard is casual all the way. There’s no assigned seating in the dining room—whether you choose the dining room or one of your ship's more casual dining spaces. In fact, many tables accommodate uneven numbers, making for easy mingling and the fun of sharing breakfast, lunch, or dinner with different new friends, staff, or guest speakers.
The Whales of Cape Verde
About 250 humpback whales travel to the Cape Verde islands every year to breed and calve, filling the ocean with song.
Coming into the harbor or seeing the outline of an island on the horizon—the feeling of the sea and exploration is there, and it's amazing.
Alyssa S.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, historians, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Sail with a team of naturalists, each passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly) and who illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Choose to spend time with whoever shares your interests in birding, human history, flora and fauna, and so much more.
Video chroniclers accompany every expedition, shooting vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day, and editing into the night, they have your DVD ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.
It was our final day at sea as we edged closer to Cape Town, South Africa. It was also an active day on board with several excellent presentations, including ‘Threats to Marine Ecosystems’ by Jamie Coleman, ‘Our Plastic Ocean’ by Maya Santangelo, ‘Investigating Patterns Shaping Biodiversity Across Spatial Scales’ by one of our visiting scientists Rui Seabra. The final presentation was from our National Geographic photo expert Isai Matriz who delivered an engaging talk on ‘Darwin’s Beetle: A Story in the Making’. Many guests made the most of the mild, calm waters and watched several species of seabirds glide by. We ended the day with the captain’s farewell and prepared for onward adventures.
And so we awoke this morning to our daily announcement to learn that our nearest point of land was Cape Town, South Africa. Our journey from Cape to Cape may be nearing its final Cape, but the excitement at sea has not ended. Once again, we filled our day with a variety of presentations from the staff – from stories about making this crossing under sail, to learning about sustainable seafood, to live demonstrations about the mammalian dive reflex, to expert advice on telling a story with our photos of this expedition. To round off our day, we shared one final natural history recap before being treated to an extraordinary Filipino dinner – complete with a galley tour! – and a wonderful show by National Geographic Explorer’s crew band, The Spice Boys & Girls!
Pushed along by a favourable current and aided by slack winds, we made good eastward progress towards our ultimate stop: Cape Town. We are midway on our four-day passage. The nearest point of land is Gough Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. The curious-looking spectacled petrels were our constant companions today as they followed in our wake. It is a privilege to see so many of these rare and threatened seabirds.
It is incredible how fast time can fly. We are now heading to Cape Town, the last destination after our stunning adventures in the Falklands, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, and Gough Island. With three more days to go, there is time to have a seat on the sun deck and enjoy the sun’s rays and the warm temperature. Looking at the albatrosses flying around and the fin whales passing by, one realizes how amazing this Cape to Cape expedition has been and how nice it is to have a few more days to chill and fully enjoy our lovely National Geographic Explorer before the trip finishes.
As we woke in sloppy seas en route to Gough Island, no one anticipated getting off the ship today. As we finished lunch and rounded this spectacular island though, we found calm seas and shelter not only for a Zodiac cruise but also for a landing. The combination of wildlife and dramatic scenery had cruisers singing the Jurassic Park theme tune whilst taking in thousands of northern rockhopper penguins and subantarctic fur seals. As we sailed away surrounded by albatross, shearwaters, and petrels, the sky turned the island from green to orange to pink.
Days at sea are all about looking for wildlife. And we're constantly on the watch for fish, birds, mammals, and you never know what you’re going to see.