Capture Alaska's Majesty: Photography & Wildlife Encounters On A Lindblad Expedition

Elevate your photography skills with a certified photo instructor as you encounter humpback whales, grizzly bears, and calving glaciers. Learn how Lindblad's expeditions, complete with undersea specialists, reveal Alaska's vibrant ecosystem from every angle, creating stunning memories and images.

Driven by a deep passion for exploration and conservation, voyages with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions inspire a change in perspective that transforms the way you experience the world. These expeditions are designed to take you into the heart of Alaska's coastal wilderness, offering unparalleled access to remote shores and vibrant ecosystems.

Experience the World From a New Perspective

Small Ships That Take You Farther

Lindblad's small, nimble vessels bring you directly into the heart of Alaska's coastal wilderness. Designed for exploration, these ships allow seasoned captains and crews to stay flexible, go farther, and deliver some of the most ambitious itineraries ever created along these remote shores.

Travel With a World-Class Team

Voyages are driven by passionate expedition teams—naturalists, photographers, and cultural specialists who are explorers at heart. With over 110 team members boasting a decade or more of experience in the field, you're in expert hands.

Take Great Photos With The Pros

A National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor joins every Alaska departure to help you hone your camera skills. They offer real-time photo tips for everyone, from smartphone camera users to advanced hobbyists. Lessons learned in the field are enhanced on board through informative presentations, helpful one-on-one critiques, and engaging slideshow events.

Explore Your Way Every Day

Itineraries feature a range of immersive activities that bring you into the pages of National Geographic magazine. From kayaking among icebergs to hiking through ancient moss-draped forests, each expedition offers excursions for every skill level so that you can explore your way—and at your own pace—every day.

Revealing Undersea Wonders

On most departures, an undersea specialist brings marine wonders to the surface by capturing underwater footage of Alaska's surprisingly vibrant marine life. During nightly Recaps, the specialist interprets sea creatures and geological features, offering insights integral to the story of your surroundings.

Expeditions That Give Back

Voyages contribute to the preservation of the planet through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. Your support helps conserve coastal communities and marine habitats, and it funds explorers from the National Geographic Society who are envisioning bold changes for a sustainable future.

On Expedition in Alaska: A Day in the Life

Venture far beyond Alaska's busy ports and piers to roadless places where glaciers sparkle, mountains soar, and epic wildlife roams. You'll be immersed in pure wilderness, experiencing it from every angle without another ship or soul in sight.

Breakfast: Savor Your Meal, Soak in a View

Epic scenery is everywhere in Alaska. At a fjord-side breakfast, you might be treated to views of tumbling waterfalls or electric-blue icebergs as you enjoy fresh bread and pastries, a made-to-order omelet, or other delicious dishes from the buffet.

Morning Excursion: Exploring at Water Level

Join a naturalist aboard a Zodiac and speed toward a glistening glacier that peeks through a bend in the fjord. Or board a kayak or paddleboard and glide across these iceberg-studded waters, on the lookout for otters, bald eagles, and harbor seals.

Talks and Photo Tips

Head to the lounge for a talk on smartphone photography by your certified photo instructor. Stick around for a naturalist presentation on their topic of expertise, such as the dynamics of area orca pods.

Lunch: A Fresh Catch

Ship chefs use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, including locally grown produce and fresh-caught fish. Savor an Alaska-inspired lunch, like a grilled salmon sandwich or a salad featuring wild berries.

Afternoon Excursion: Rainforest Walk

Put your new photo tips to the test during a walk through Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Snap photos as you stroll amid blooming wildflowers, or choose a path less traveled, bushwhacking through thick brush.

Downtime: On Whale Watch

With free time, take advantage of the ship's amenities: read up on regional flora in the library, visit the open Bridge, or stand on deck to watch for whales. You may spot humpbacks engaged in a uniquely Alaska behavior: cooperative bubble-net feeding. When conditions are right, a naturalist drops a hydrophone so you can listen in on the whale communications.

Ready for Recap

Gather in the lounge for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, followed by the nightly Recap and a preview of tomorrow's activities. Today's presentation features your undersea specialist, who shares footage from the day's dive of the surprisingly colorful creatures that thrive in these nutrient-rich waters.

Dinner: Crab Feast

A culinary event that always earns rave reviews is the Dungeness crab feast—a mouth-watering taste of Alaska's wild bounty, washed down with local craft beers.

Adventures Under the Midnight Sun

Take advantage of the summer's lingering sunlight to capture golden hour photos or look for wildlife. If you're traveling later in the season, you may have a chance to spot the northern lights painting the night sky.

Introducing the Greg Mortimer: Expanding What's Possible in Alaska

Since our earliest Alaska expeditions in 1981, Lindblad has led immersive and authentic journeys into the region's wildest corners—continually innovating and finding new ways to connect curious travelers with this epic wilderness. In 2027, the Greg Mortimer will join the Alaska fleet, hosting a trio of new expeditions that enhance the ability to explore deeper while upholding the hallmarks of the Lindblad experience: small-ship intimacy, expert-led discovery, and meaningful connection to the natural world.

Cutting-Edge Design for Exploration

Launched in 2019, the Greg Mortimer combines cutting-edge design with the immersive, small-ship experience. Accommodating 154 guests in thoughtfully designed cabins—many with private balconies—she offers both intimacy and spacious comfort for exploring the region's remote waterways.

Her distinctive inverted X-Bow™ delivers a smoother, more efficient ride through dynamic seas, while dynamic positioning allows the ship to hold place without dropping anchor—helping to protect sensitive marine environments.

Four rapid-deploy Zodiac platforms provide swift access to Alaska's rugged shorelines, secluded waterways, and wildlife-rich coves, ensuring seamless transitions between ship and shore.

Onboard Amenities Designed for Discovery

Expansive observation decks and hydraulic viewing platforms extend over the water, creating extraordinary opportunities to spot whales, seabirds, and calving glaciers from unique vantage points. Indoors, ocean-view lounges, a library, and dedicated learning and wellness spaces foster a sense of community and connection—essential ingredients of the expedition style.

Between adventures, guests can unwind in the sauna with sweeping sea views, relax in top-deck Jacuzzis, or dine in spaces that frame Alaska's shifting horizons. Every feature of the Greg Mortimer is designed to deepen your relationship with this magnificent wilderness, offering a modern expedition experience rooted in curiosity and discovery.

National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion

As Lindblad looks ahead to a new chapter of Alaska exploration, they honor the vessels that helped shape their legacy. In 2026, they will bid farewell to National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion—making this year your final opportunity to sail aboard the pioneering ships that introduced generations of travelers to Alaska's wildest places.

These sister ships have long been the heart of Lindblad's Alaska expeditions—intimate, nimble vessels that bring travelers to places larger ships can't reach. Accommodating just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins, they hold the shallowest drafts in the fleet, giving you rare access to secluded coves and narrow channels. Outfitted with Zodiacs, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, they offer everything you need for immersive, up-close exploration in Alaska's wild waterways.

Their open decks are a comfortable backdrop for spectacular wildlife sightings, while their welcoming gathering spaces foster the camaraderie that is a hallmark of these voyages. Whether you're paging through the library, chatting with the captain on the open Bridge, or settling into a deck chair as the scenery drifts by, these ships offer both a welcoming home and a front-row seat to Alaska's wild beauty.

National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture

With the agility and comfort needed to explore Alaska's most remote coasts, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture continue Lindblad's commitment to immersive expedition travel on this wild frontier.

Purpose-built for navigating Alaska's intricate waterways, National Geographic Quest and her sister ship, National Geographic Venture, bring a modern, clean-lined approach to expedition travel. With 50 cabins and exceptionally nimble design, they can slip into narrow fjords, quiet coves, and secluded anchorages, offering access to the region's wildest places.

Twin Zodiac boarding platforms allow for quick disembarkation so you spend less time waiting and more time exploring. Kayaks and paddleboards invite you to discover sheltered inlets at water level, enjoying the up-close encounters with nature that define these explorations.

On board, outward-facing cabins, expansive windows, and tiered viewing platforms keep you connected to your surroundings at every turn—framing sapphire seas, breaching whales, and shifting horizons. Amenities include a partially covered sundeck, a fitness center, and a welcoming lounge and library with a full-service bar. In the dining room, menus draw on regional ingredients for a fresh, local taste of Alaska's wild bounty—complementing your explorations of this remarkable wilderness.

Alaska With the Family: Discover the Wonder of Nature

Alaska is the ultimate vacation destination for adventurous families—a land where epic wilderness reigns. Every departure features the exclusive National Geographic Explorers-In-Training program, which teaches kids and teens to explore like scientists. Certified Field Educator Kim Baldwin transforms Alaska into a natural classroom for young travelers, mentoring them to develop observation, communication, and problem-solving skills.

National Geographic Explorers-In-Training Program Highlights

• Wildlife Watching: Zip along shore in a Zodiac, then hike in search of Alaska wildlife, like sea otters and humpback whales. Snap photos with your smartphone and jot notes in your official National Geographic Explorers-In-Training Field Notebook.
• Microscopic Exploration: Drop a net over the side of your Zodiac to collect plankton, then check it under a video microscope to see how it looks and moves.
• Video Shoots: Get tips from your certified photo instructor on how to create impressive slow-motion and timelapse videos, and test out your new skills in the field.
• License to Explore: Learn to operate a Zodiac and earn your "driver's license." (Sorry adults, kids only.)
• Ice Cream Sundae Glaciers: Watch as a naturalist uses ice cream sundaes to demonstrate how glaciers form and change—then take a bite out of the delicious display.
• Check Your List: Head to the ship lounge to review the wildlife you saw and mark it in your notebook. Include creatures big and small—whether it's a banana slug or a grizzly bear. Tally your points to keep track of your progress on becoming certified as a National Geographic Explorer-In-Training.
• New Friends and Fun Adventures: Meet up with your new friends for fun activities with your certified field educator. Depending on the day, it might be games in the lounge, watercolor painting with glacial ice, a pizza dinner, or other surprises.

Featured Alaska Itineraries

Alaska's Inside Passage

8 DAYS | FROM $7,027.00pp
2026-2027 Apr.-Sep.
National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture

Highlights:

• Hike through lush forests and muskegs, kayak into secluded inlets, and cruise by Zodiac among electric blue icebergs.
• Encounter iconic Alaska wildlife, such as humpback whales, bears, otters, and bald eagles.
• Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring grandeur of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve during a full day of exploration.
• Meet representatives from the Alaska Whale Foundation (schedules permitting) and learn how you can contribute to their research throughout your voyage.
• Discover Alaska's seldom-seen, vibrant marine life, revealed by an undersea specialist.
• Explore the wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.

Exploring Southeast Alaska's ABC Islands

8 DAYS | FROM $7,801.00pp
2026 Jun., Jul.
National Geographic Sea Lion

Highlights:

• Kayak or paddleboard along the rugged coastline of Chichagof Island, home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world.
• Explore the wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.
• Spend a full day exploring the scenic outer bays of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve by kayak, Zodiac, or on foot.
• Cruise an ice-filled fjord toward the face of a glacier in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area.
• Venture into Frederick Sound or Chatham Strait in search of breaching humpbacks and pods of orcas.
• Meet the fleet's conservation partners from the Alaska Whale Foundation (schedules permitting) and learn how you can contribute to their research throughout your voyage.

Alaska's Inside Passage and Tracy Arm

8 DAYS | FROM $9,065.00pp
2027 May-Sep.
Greg Mortimer

Highlights:

• Venture to remote corners of this wild frontier to hike temperate rainforests, paddle hidden coves, and cruise by Zodiac among sculpted ice.
• Seek out the icons of Alaska: humpback whales, grizzly bears, bald eagles, and much more.
• Discover the living heritage of Prince Rupert during visits to a longhouse-style museum and a restored cannery that echoes the region's seafaring past.
• Embrace the adventurous spirit of Haines, where mountains meet the sea and days unfold through cycling, rafting, hiking, or casting a fly for salmon.
• Witness the Inian Islands and Icy Strait, teeming with sea lions and seabirds drawn to the nutrient-rich currents.

Alaska's Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier

8 DAYS | FROM $9,065.00pp
2027 May-Sep.
Greg Mortimer

Highlights:

• Navigate spectacular icebergs—and watch for new ones calving—as we explore the face of the six-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier by Zodiac.
• Discover little-known coves and inlets of the Inside Passage by kayak, and seek out a host of wildlife, from brown bears and moose to several species of whale.
• Kayak along sheer cliffs and forested backwaters in Misty Fjords National Monument.
• Explore the wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.
• Soak in the midnight sun from the Greg Mortimer's top-deck hot tubs—perched at the ship's highest point with 360-degree views of Alaska's dramatic wilderness unfolding around you.

Epic Alaska and British Columbia

15 DAYS | FROM $16,317.00pp
2027 May-Sep.
Greg Mortimer

Highlights:

• Navigate amid spectacular icebergs at the six-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier, and cruise Tracy Arm fjord, where massive ice sheets calve into pristine waters.
• Venture into temperate rainforests, paddle hidden coves, and hike beneath soaring peaks in pristine wilderness areas, such as Misty Fjords National Monument.
• Discover the living heritage of Prince Rupert during visits to a longhouse-style museum and a restored cannery that echoes the region's seafaring past.
• Seek out humpback whales, brown bears, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and more in nutrient-rich waters across Southeast Alaska and British Columbia.
• Explore wild and remote corners of Southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.
• Soak in the midnight sun from the Greg Mortimer's observation deck or top-deck hot tubs, with 360-degree views of the region's dramatic wilderness.

Voyage to Alaska, the Great Bear Rainforest and San Juan Islands

14 DAYS | FROM $10,440.00pp
2026-2027 Sep.
National Geographic Venture

Highlights:

• Take kayaks and Zodiacs deep into verdant fjords and to wildlife-rich shores in search of bears, golden eagles, river otters, and more.
• Journey into the most pristine forests in the region, inaccessible by road and managed by First Nations people.
• Cruise the eastern coast of Princess Royal Island in search of the elusive spirit bear, a rare but thrilling sighting.
• Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise nearby waters in British Columbia where orcas gather annually to hunt within the isles' inlets and bays.
• Explore at water level in Tracy Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and harbor seals afloat on iridescent icebergs.
• Explore the wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.

Denali Extension: Explore the Heart of Alaska

Extend your experience in Denali National Park & Preserve, venturing into the heart of Alaska's wild backcountry alongside local experts with in-depth knowledge of the region's epic landscapes and diverse wildlife.

PRE- OR POST-VOYAGE | 7 DAYS | FROM $10,900.00pp

Venture inland to Denali National Park & Preserve aboard first-class, glass-dome railcars on the Alaska Railroad, and settle into the Grande Denali Lodge, a prime basecamp near the park entrance. Spot wildlife on a tour of the tundra, raft the Nenana River, and meet the sled dogs of Iditarod champion Jeff King. You may also opt for a scenic flightseeing excursion around Denali's soaring peak. Your adventure concludes in Anchorage with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Museum.

This extension is available on most Alaska itineraries.

What's Included and More

Ongoing Promotions

Combining Offers: Certain offers may be combinable for up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of eight or more on back-to-back voyages and take advantage of both savings.

Inclusive Pricing

Your Lindblad Expedition includes a comprehensive array of services and amenities, ensuring a worry-free and enriching journey:

• Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers as indicated in the itinerary.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and on shore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
• Hors d'oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
• 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water.
• Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, and other state-of-the-art gear.
• Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers.
• Guidance and company of leading expedition staff.
• Onboard physician consultations.
• Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available.
• 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces.
• Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations.
• Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes.
• Beer, Wine, and Spirits: Your bar tab is included on all departures. Premium brands available for purchase.

Private Charters

A private charter with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions offers the ultimate expedition experience for your group, whether you're hosting a board meeting, staff incentive trip, or family celebration. Aboard a small ship that's entirely yours, you'll venture deep into the world's most extraordinary places, traveling responsibly and with purpose. Each voyage blends the exclusivity of private travel with the depth of Lindblad's expedition heritage, inspiring meaningful connection—to one another and to the wild world around you.

Pioneering Responsible Exploration

From a consistent quest to improve practices to offsetting 100% of carbon emissions, supporting conservation, science, and education initiatives around the planet, and investing in the communities in the places explored, Lindblad Expeditions is guided by a commitment to explore responsibly.

About the Author: Lia Vincent

Lia Vincent is the Owner for Vincent Vacations and Travel Agent Pro, and serves as the official Signature Travel Network Liaison. With extensive experience in the luxury travel sector, Lia specializes in pairing discerning travelers with premium expedition and ocean cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.