Bahamas Expeditions

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February 21, 2022

Long Cay, Bahamas

22.618° S -74.315° E

Elijah Sands, Cultural Specialist

Starting in 2023, we are pleased to offer complimentary beer & wine aboard National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, and National Geographic Sea Lion. See our new Free Bar Policy under special offers for details.

We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards

Discover a wild world close to home

In a mostly uninhabited archipelago, discover untouched pink-sand beaches and endangered green sea turtles foraging in the clear, still waters. On the islands that are inhabited, goats outnumber people, there are no traffic lights, and locals catch bonefish from their seats at lunch. Join us aboard National Geographic Sea Lion to explore The Bahamas' Out Islands. Land on remote islands passionately protected by Bahamas National Trust and other local conservation organizations. On this active adventure, encounter wildlife and relish the stillness of turquoise lagoons and powder-soft beaches where the only footprints will be ours.

In this short video, learn more about the vibrant life above and below the transparent blue waters of the Bahamas’ Out Islands.

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Expedition Highlights

Close to the mainland United States but worlds away, the Bahamas are so much more than bustling Nassau. Columbus would recognize some of the country’s 700 islands: wild and rugged with seabirds and sea turtles, dramatic limestone cliffs, and deserted beaches.

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Life Aboard

There’s no need to dress up, ever; life aboard is casual all the way. There’s no assigned seating in the dining room. This makes for easy mingling and the fun of sharing breakfast, lunch, or dinner with different new friends or staff. Independent travelers can count on a welcome everywhere they turn.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

Wonders of the Undersea in the Bahamas

“Being underwater is a totally different landscape than we’re used to,” says Shawn Lucas, an undersea specialist with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. Watch as he heads into the clearest, cleanest waters you can imagine, in search of sharks, thriving coral reefs, and the multitude of fish at home in this pristine expanse.

Photographing The Bahamas' Unique Beauty

For Expedition Diver and wildlife photographer Kim Nesbitt, it's the crystalline blue water that so characterizes The Bahamas. Watch as she shares how to engage with the water and wildlife, capturing the islands’ iconic American flamingo along the way.

The Wild Out Islands of the Bahamas

Discover the natural wonders of The Bahamas' less explored, less known, and less developed Out Islands of Acklins, Mayaguana, Long Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, and Conception Island National Park.

The Bahamas’ Turtle Lake: A Story of Wildlife, Conservation & Family

A family through the generations has stewarded a unique natural habitat: a saltwater lake that’s a safe haven for sea turtles and other creatures.

The Lucayans: the Vanished Indigenous People of the Bahamas

The Lucayans, the indigenous first residents of the Bahamas, are a vanished civilization that left very little physical evidence of their eight centuries of agriculture and trade in the archipelago.

These parklands have so much more life than I ever expected—on land and under the water.

Tristan T.

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.

Undersea Specialist

Your undersea specialist will lead snorkeling outings in some of the world's most pristine seas and will deploy an ROV to explore down to depths of 1,000 feet. Diving opportunities will be available (at an additional cost).

Naturalist

Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.

Photo Instructor

Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

4/1/2022

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Shroud Cay

After another calm night at anchor on the Exuma Banks, we awoke to a light breeze and gentle seas. Wind and tide dictate all that we do, showing how intimately tied the Bahamian Islands are to the weather. As the sun broke through the distant cumulus clouds, the waters shone with a full spectrum of blues. Most everywhere we have been on this voyage has been in shallow waters, and we have the delight of seeing the seafloor during our travels. This gives us the privilege of peeking in on the lives of the fish, nurse sharks, coral, and other marine animals that are often obfuscated by more turbid waters. The weather obliging us thus far, it looked like a great day ahead. In the morning, we set out via kayak and Zodiac to explore a cut going through the whole of Shroud Cay. This winding channel drew us in with its beautiful waters, urging us further as its serpentine curves dictated our route. Red mangroves lined the sides as far as the eye could see. Yellow warblers sang from their branches, green sea turtles darted below us, and a lemon shark swam by in the shallow waters. Approaching the windward side of the island, we encountered the “washing machine,” a tidal cut where the channel meets Exuma Sound. Many of us hopped in the water, floating down this strong current before it deposited us safely on a sandbar. It was a delight to experience this natural playground and to cool off after a morning in the sun. In the afternoon, we spent time enjoying the pristine white sandy beaches offered by the Exumas Land and Sea Park. It was pleasant to relax, to take in the scenery and landscape around us, and to get lost in the gorgeous blue waters. Some of us took a walk up the eastside of the island as a few white-tailed tropicbirds circled overhead. These seabirds use small crevices in the limestone to nest, a feature that is plentiful in the Bahamas. From Camp Driftwood, we took in a view of the surrounding cays. We spotted Norman’s Cay, the site of a drug smuggling operation in the 70s and 80s. The DEA monitored the situation from Camp Driftwood. The Bahamas has a rich and diverse cultural history on top of its captivating natural history. We returned to the ship for cocktail hour and dinner, a wonderful end to another incredible day in the Bahamas. We look forward to tomorrow with anticipation, knowing the Bahamas always delivers.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/31/2022

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National Geographic Sea Lion

The Bahamas: Exuma Cays

We spent quality time under and on top of the gorgeous Bahama blue water today. We headed out early to one of my favorite snorkel spots, and we spent the afternoon exploring some of the iconic caverns and white sandy beaches famous in the Bahamas.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/30/2022

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Compass Cay, Exumas, Bahamas

Strong winds and choppy seas did not dampen the spirit of adventure for National Geographic Sea Lion guests as they ventured off to explore Compass Cay. The morning activities included hikes, interpretive walks, a Zodiac cruise, and a short kayak paddle in Bonefish Creek, a tidal creek that runs between the outer ridges of Compass Cay. The trail along the windward rocky shoreline ends at Rachel’s Bubble Bath, an inviting tidal pool that fills when waves crash onshore and spill over the rocks into the pool. A refreshing reward for our hikers on the long hike. On our hikes, we observed charismatic and photogenic northern curly-tailed lizards as well as Cerion snails attached to dry palm fronds and tree trunks. Silver thatch palms dominate the higher elevations, while the intertidal zone located at the interior of the island is home to red and black mangroves. We also observed many birds, including palm warblers, Bahama mockingbirds, bananaquits, green herons, ruddy turnstones, and ospreys. After another wonderful lunch, guests returned to Compass Cay by Zodiac across the many hues of blue Bahamian water, the clearest waters in the world. Snorkeling explorations led us along the limestone wall. Scattered rocks of various sizes, once part of the rock wall, have transformed over the years into beautiful miniature coral reefs. These reefs are home to a variety of juvenile fish, the tiny jewels of the reefs. Juvenile yellowtail damselfish, queen angelfish, and rock beauties were just a few of those spotted. We also observed green turtles resting on the seafloor. The stars of the day and the main attraction were the nurse sharks. Many years ago, Compass Cay was more of a rest stop and a place for fishing guides to clean their catch and buy refreshments. Nurse sharks in the area quickly learned they could find a sure meal. Since then, the owner made Compass Cay Marina a no fishing zone. As a result, numerous species of fish are seen. We enjoyed observing bonefish, bar jacks, blue runners, and nurse sharks, among others, as we snorkeled. Back on the ship, our tired and happy voyagers enjoyed cocktails and delicacies from the galley while learning a more about today’s activities. As the sun sets once again over the beautiful Bahamian waters, we eagerly await the start of a new day of adventure tomorrow.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/29/2022

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Warderick Wells Cay

Today we visited Warderick Wells Cay, the headquarters of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. This park, which covers a 176 square mile expanse, was established in 1958; it was the first of its kind in the entire world. The park is stewarded by the Bahamas National Trust. The trust is responsible for managing all national parks throughout the Bahamas. In the morning, we ventured off to Beryl’s Beach on Warderick Wells to snorkel the beautiful patch reefs located off its coast. Some guests ventured onto the trails behind the beach. They got to meet the charismatic northern curly-tailed lizards that dwell in the area. In the afternoon, we explored the island through two new lenses: kayaking and hiking! The hikers got a taste of the limestone landscape and coastal coppice ecosystems that characterize the Bahamas. They saw a variety of wildlife, including endemic mockingbirds and hutias. The kayakers leisurely cruised through the Bahama blue waters. They enjoyed sightings of triggerfish and nurse sharks.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/28/2022

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National Geographic Sea Lion

Conception Island

Most of us know about the clarity of the vibrant blue waters before we visit the Bahamas. Seen from space, the water shines in the azure ocean, standing out dramatically from surrounding waters. Even with this knowledge, it is always a pleasant surprise to see the colors pop as the sun paints the sea around us each morning. As if the dawn light illuminating the sky isn’t enough, it then strikes the ocean. These famous blue waters glow dramatically. Before us lay Conception Island. As part of the Bahamas National Trust, this whole island and the surrounding waters are protected. Therefore, they offer glimpses of the area’s natural beauty. As we approached, flocks of white-tailed tropicbirds circled, giving testament to the fact that these protections benefit the region’s ecology. During the morning, we explored the beaches. We enjoyed close looks at mangroves and the iconic queen conch. Wading birds flew by, shorebirds shuffled over the flats, and migrating warblers bounced around the foliage. As we returned to National Geographic Sea Lion , a pair of bottlenose dolphins inspected the Zodiacs with curiosity. It was an exciting moment in the water. After a delicious lunch, we returned to the beach for a second round of activities. As we snorkeled through the mangroves, we encountered rays, turtles, and a variety of fish. Marine creatures utilize the valuable shelter provided in this ecosystem. While we explored via Zodiac, dozens of sea turtles jetted in channels, surprising all of us with just how fast a turtle can be. Oystercatchers and egrets flew about as we explored the winding streams, leading us to look closer at the nooks and corners of this expansive habitat. Our evening consisted of drinks and conversation with friends, presentations by our natural history staff, and an incredible dinner prepared by our galley team. We have all been looking forward to this trip, and day one proves that our expectations will be met.

The ocean is another world — a beautiful world — and when you dive or snorkel or just swim, you discover another whole facet of the tropics.

Magrit Ulrich, Naturalist

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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