Lindblad Expeditions

EXPEDITION REPORT by Justin Hofam: Our final day of operations for the expedition (and this Antartica season) took place at New Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Falkland Islands. Guests were amazed by the sheer cliffs of the outer coast, home to thousands of rockhopper penguins and even more black-browed albatross. While guests were ashore, the undersea team explored the underwater world of the Falkland Islands. We cruised through the amber forest of giant kelp and photographed the large sun stars but also some of the smaller denizens like tessellated patagonotothen fishes and beautiful purple-lined isopods. The highlight of the dive was one of the largest jellies either of us had seen. A gargantuan lion’s mane jelly was wrapped up in the kelp and its bell was almost 4 feet across. Truly a sight to behold and a favorite when shown to the guests at recap.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CEO: It has been an incredible two months since I joined Lindblad Expeditions. I have been traveling and meeting the team, listening, learning and reflecting. I had the extraordinary opportunity to share an adventure in the Galápagos Islands with our founder, Sven Lindblad, where I witnessed firsthand the incredible culture he and our team have built. And now I feel it is time to humbly introduce myself to you—our guests. You are the heart of this company, inspiring us to do what we do every day. I was born and raised in Uzbekistan, a place shaped by the movement of people, cultures and ideas along the Silk Road. Even though I did not have the opportunity to travel much in my childhood, I understood from an early age that the world was much bigger than my neighborhood. A belief in the transformative power of travel has shaped my journey, and it's what draws me so deeply to Lindblad's mission. Meeting many of you during my ship visits and hearing your stories about what Lindblad means to you has been truly inspiring. This company was founded to bring extraordinary people to the most extraordinary places on Earth for new experiences, enhanced knowledge and an increased understanding of our role in protecting the planet's trove of natural and cultural treasures. I am honored to carry that mission forward. As we look ahead, my focus is on building upon this legacy and continuing to deliver the unforgettable adventures you love through the six remarkable brands that Lindblad Expeditions unites under a common mission: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, Natural Habitat Adventures, Thomson Safaris, DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co., Classic Journeys and Off the Beaten Path. Finally, I wanted to share with you some highlights from my Galápagos expedition with Sven Lindblad. I hope this short video reminds you what Lindblad Expeditions is all about—genuine connections with our planet, each other and our own true selves. Thank you for choosing our brands to be part of your journey. I look forward to seeing you on your next adventure. Warm regards, Natalya Leahy CEO, Lindblad Expeditions

From wastepaper to works of art! 🎨 Renowned Indian artist Niharika Rajput is with us in the Galápagos Islands this week to lead a hands-on artisan workshop, sharing her incredible skill in building bird sculptures from paper -- with a focus on the Blue-Footed Booby, an emblematic species of the archipelago. After exploring the islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour II and observing the region’s diverse birdlife, Niharika is guiding artisans in transforming materials she sourced from the local recycling center into stunning new creations. This initiative is part of our Artisan Fund’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community support, helping local artisans expand their skills at the nexus where tourism, conservation, and handcraft development meet. 📷: Alexandra Daley-Clark

What do you do when a student insists that giant tortoises aren’t real? If you're Tiffany Pace, a K-5 STEAM teacher, you seize the chance to prove them wrong—by experiencing these incredible animals firsthand. We were honored to host Tiffany aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II in the Galápagos as a 2024 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow (GTF) and support her efforts to bring the world’s wonders alive for her students. GTF is a professional learning opportunity for pre-K–12 educators made possible through a collaboration between Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.

As the world celebrates #InternationalWomensDay, we would like to look inward and take a moment to shine the light on all the amazing women who make our company so strong. Today, we’re celebrating the incredible women whose dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence has shaped our truly special adventure experience at all levels. We are proud as a company to say that we have female leaders across all levels, setting the tone that all talented people can have their potential and dreams fulfilled: From two female captains—Captain Heidi Norling and Captain Nathaly Alban—to four female leaders on our executive leadership team, to the many officers and engineers, they all play a fundamental role mentoring, leading, and shaping the future of our company and our society. “My hope is that every voice is heard, every talent recognized, and every opportunity open to all. Together, we will continue to build a culture where everyone can thrive, and today, we take a moment to celebrate the women who help make that possible,” said Natalya Leahy, our CEO.

EXPEDITION REPORT: The National Geographic Endurance recently discovered a breathtaking encounter in the heart of Cierva Cove, #Antarctica. Guests exploring the icy waters in zodiac boats with photo instructor Nathan Kelley experienced a moment of pure magic. 🐋 As the zodiac boats glided through the serene cove, a sleek shadow emerged from the depths. An Antarctic #MinkeWhale, curious and graceful, approached the small boats, offering a glimpse into its world. The encounter was exhilarating, a reminder of the incredible wildlife that thrives in this remote corner of our planet. These moments, these close encounters with nature, are what make expeditions with #LindbladExpeditions so special. It's not just about seeing the destination; it's about connecting with it, feeling it, and being transformed by it. Ready to write your own #Antarctica story? Bookings are now open for early season 2025 & 2026 voyages. #LindbladExpeditionReport

We’re so thrilled to be welcoming a new ship to our Lindblad Expeditions Galápagos fleet! Seen here is the National Geographic Gemini finishing her paint job — she’s 296 feet in length, will hold 48 guests, and is fully outfitted with cabin balconies, a hot tub, spa and fitness center, and a gorgeous outdoor café. At National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, we pride ourselves on showing our guests that it's not only about what you see, but how you see it that matters. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests aboard in less than a month!

In key regions we explore, our Artisan Fund brings equipment and education directly to artisans, even in remote areas like Rancho Las Animas in Baja California Sur, a four-hour drive down dirt roads from La Paz.  Last month, a vanload of metal-working equipment was delivered to this isolated ranching community to officially launch our newest Artisan Fund project: the Blacksmith Lab. Working with on-the-ground experts, the Blacksmith Lab will offer local artisans a series of workshops on metal casting and pressing techniques, helping them reduce handcraft production time while upholding their cultural heritage.  This kind of support uplifts artisans and aids them in the refinement, development, and growth of their own traditional skills, acquired over generations. More than just souvenirs, a wide variety of artisan-made goods are available in our shipboard Global Galleries & Markets, an impactful reminder of the people we meet and the places we explore. *Pssst* Did you know that 5% of sales in the Global Galleries are put back into The Artisan Fund, creating a renewable cycle of support?  Follow along to see how the Baja Blacksmith Lab progresses—we’ll be back to check in with the artisans again in April! PHOTOS: Carlos Aguilera

Captain Cook welcomed Rick Goldberg, our new CFO, and me aboard the National Geographic Venture in Baja California Sur! Known for his warmth, Captain Cook is a legend and a role model to many over his 20-year career, starting as a deckhand and journeying all the way to Captain. He's been working with Lindsey, the ship's Hotel Manager, for almost 10 years. This type of decades-long collaboration is common on board, and Captain Cook describes life with Lindblad Expeditions in a word: "family."

Lindblad Expeditions Captain Mario Lomas welcomed me on board the National Geographic Endeavour II for a tour and a visit to one of his favorite islands - Fernandina, which is known to be a home to thousands of sea iguanas and sea turtles.   Our local Naturalists make this experience extra special for our guests as all of us learned so much about the wildlife and ecosystem here. Proud of the team and truly delighted to see the reactions of our guests.