When you explore the Upper Amazon aboard Delfin II, you'll experience spectacular wildlife, top-notch accommodations, and unparalleled expertise from our team of naturalists.
At the headwaters of the mighty Amazon lies the seasonally flooded forest of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. See what it’s like to explore its intricate network of jungle waterways.
On our inaugural photo expedition at the Napo Wildlife Center guests learned expert tips and tricks to capture the diversity of life in the surrounding rainforest.
Naiseuseu, on the island of Beqa, has become a favorite place for us in Fiji. It was a joy to be there again for community visits, and the meke (song and dance) at Lawaki Beach House. After a full morning, we spent the afternoon at sea en route to Vanuatu.
This morning National Geographic Endeavour II anchored at Santa Cruz Island. We started the day visiting the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. During this visit we had the opportunity to see babies as well as different morph types of giant tortoises. Afterwards, we headed to the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit a local hydroponic farm. Here we saw how the lettuce we consume on board grows with this environmentally friendly technique. In the afternoon we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the highlands, and we had the opportunity to see the giant tortoises along their migration route. It was beautiful and a great learning experience!
High swells prevented landing on Anacapa Island this morning, so we anchored off the protected side and enjoyed extended Zodiac cruising through intermittent misty fog. We saw (and heard) many sea lions on the beaches and watched the young ones perform ‘investigative circling’ around the Zodiacs. A pair of harbor seals swam in the kelp canopy and the skies were filled with soaring pelicans and western gulls. We also learned about the giant kelp, and many sampled a piece, generally conceding that it was ‘salty bland’. During brunch, we traveled across gently rolling seas to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, passing through a large pod of long-beaked dolphins. Some peeled off to ride our bow wave, gracefully rolling and looking up at us while we looked down on them. Afternoon activities consisted of three varieties of hikes, each offering sightings of the endemic island scrub jay and the lovable island fox. Heavy rains during the previous winter created a ’50 Shades of Green’ scene, punctuated with colors of many different flowers. Cloudless skies added to the overall magic. After a final dinner and introduction of the hotel staff, we watched the traditional guest slideshow, reliving precious memories.
This morning we sailed into a gorgeous sunrise as we made our way to Taveuni. A pod of pilot whales spotted in the morning was a good sign for the great day that lay ahead of us. It started with us traveling to the village of Waitabu. Here, we participated in a sacred kava ceremony. The ceremony was followed by performances of dance and music by the people of Waitabu. The gracious community also had fresh fruit and baked goods for us to try. We then headed to Bouma National Heritage Park. Here we had a short walk to the most amazing waterfall and guests swam in the refreshing waters. We returned to National Geographic Orion for lunch then shortly after, we jumped back into our Zodiacs. We jetted over to the Waitabu Marine Park for an afternoon snorkel. It was an amazing day in Fiji, full of memories that will last a lifetime.
Just Magical!! We explored an outstanding coralline sandy beach surrounded by surreal turquoise waters where the most charismatic animals of the Galapagos, sea lions, find their refuge. Kayaking, snorkeling, and walking are the activities of a morning filled with memorable moments which we will keep alive for a long time. A great variety of animal species call this island their home. One of these creatures is the majestic waved albatross, which uses this equatorial island for reproduction from April to December. A Zodiac ride in the afternoon brings us closer to the world of albatross, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mammals, and reptiles. Just phenomenal.