Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced six new itineraries for 2015 aboard the 102-guest National Geographic Orion. These are going to be remarkable expeditions to extraordinary locations and National Geographic Orion is perfectly equipped for the mission with a roster of exploration tools including full snorkeling gear for all, a SCUBA program that can accommodate up to 24 divers at a time with a dive master, a glass bottom boat, kayaks, a state of the art remote operated vehicle (ROV) that reaches depths of up to 1,000 feet, and a fleet of Zodiacs.
All rates quoted below are per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
Bali to Palau: Exotic Indonesia, 16 days: From the lush island of Bali to the stunning Rock Islands of Palau, this voyage goes through the heart of the Coral Triangle. This biologically rich region is known as the global center of marine biodiversity, with more than 500 species of corals and nearly 2,000 species of fish, and is a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Above sea level, the region is equally fascinating, from the giant lizards of Komodo Island to the unique dance performances of the Lesser Sunda Islands. End the voyage in incomparable Palau. Departs September 17, 2015. Rates begin at $14,130.
Palau to Solomon Islands: Along the Pacific Equator, 19 days: Sailing east through the heart of Micronesia, explore seldom visited islands, and learn of the region’s fascinating World War II history. Meet islanders who still follow traditional ways; search for Yap’s famous manta rays, then snorkel and dive the reefs and wrecks of Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon. Turn south into Melanesia to explore Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Departs September 29, 2015. Rates begin at $17,390.
Solomon Islands to Fiji: Hidden South Pacific, 13 days: Voyage through the heart of Melanesia to the western edge of Polynesia.
In the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, you’ll be greeted with traditional “warrior welcomes,” as you land by Zodiac on remote and verdant shores, while a warm smile and Bula! greet you in Fiji. Search for endemic bird species, snorkel and dive stunning reefs and wrecks, including the S.S. President Coolidge in Vanuatu, one of the best wreck dives in the world. Departs October 14, 2015. Rates begin at $10,870.
Fiji to The Cook Islands: Polynesian Discovery, 13 days: The ideal South Pacific getaway, this short escape will take you from Fiji’s “Garden Isle” to verdant Rarotonga. Explore the western reaches of Polynesia, visiting tropical islands and reefs that few ever see.
Immerse yourself in Tonga’s warm turquoise waters, and experience genuine Polynesian welcomes throughout the Cook Islands. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by deep-sea-blue water on ocean passages, while scanning the horizon for marine mammals and seabirds. Departs October 24, 2015. Rates begin at $10,870.
Cook Islands to Tahiti: Pristine Reefs of the South Pacific, 13 days: The perfect South Pacific getaway – walk pristine beaches, snorkel amid clouds of colorful reef fish and experience true Polynesian hospitality. Discover the popular notion of paradise—and some of the world’s best dive sites—while sailing from the sparkling white shores of the Cook Islands to Tahiti’s lush volcanic crags. Dive or snorkel in the Southern Line Islands, identified as one of the most unspoiled reef systems in the world by the National Geographic Pristine Seas project, with diverse coral, fish, and predator populations. Departs November 3, 2015. Rates begin at $10,870.
Tahiti to Easter Island: Tales of the Pacific, 19 days: Following in the wake of early Polynesian navigators, this voyage takes you to the farthest reaches of Oceania. From Tahiti, through the “low islands” of the Tuamotu Archipelago to the historically significant Pitcairn Islands, plus remote and enigmatic Easter Island, you’ll visit islands that are virtually inaccessible and untouched.
Drift dive or snorkel through an atoll pass, meet the descendants of H.M.S. Bounty mutineers, and walk the length of untouched tropical beaches. Departs November 13, 2015. Rates begin at $17,390.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, www.expeditions.com