Explore What’s Next: A First Look at the 2028–2029 Season from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Exploring the world means getting closer to the wildlife, cultures, landscapes, and ideas that define a destination, not just seeing it. Expedition travel takes you beyond sightseeing through active adventures, expert-led learning, close encounters with wildlife, and meaningful connections with local cultures.

A leader in the field, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions puts immersive exploration at the center of its journeys, and the recently released 2028–2029 season comes with new itineraries and expanded opportunities across Alaska, Antarctica, the Galápagos, and the South Pacific.

An expanded 2028–2029 season

The newly released 2028–2029 season features new itineraries and expanded opportunities to turn the biggest travel dreams into realities, from Alaska’s glacier-cut coast, the remarkable ecosystems of the Galápagos, and Antarctica’s penguin colonies and immense ice formations. The new season also includes the highly anticipated return to French Polynesia with four new itineraries, featuring coral lagoons, volcanic islands, and centuries-old Polynesian culture.

Whether a destination you’ve always wanted to experience finally rises to the top of your list or an unexpected itinerary captures your imagination, the new season offers plenty of inspiration to bring once-in-a-lifetime adventure within reach.

Destinations to explore in 2028-2029

Alaska brings you into a wilderness of glacier-carved fjords, temperate rainforest, and waterways rich with marine life. Paddle a kayak beneath the steep walls of Endicott Arm, approach Dawes Glacier by Zodiac to watch for slabs of ice crashing into the water, and scan Frederick Sound for orcas and humpback whales. Exploration also reaches into the Tongass National Forest and local communities, with interactive experiences such as visiting the ancient Tlingit village of Klukwan for cultural interpretation and a traditional dance demonstration.

Wildlife takes center stage in the Galápagos, where remarkably unafraid animals make close encounters part of everyday exploration. Walk among giant tortoises in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, watch blue-footed boobies perform their elaborate courtship dance on North Seymour, and search black basalt grottos on Santiago for fur seals.

The adventure continues underwater as you snorkel in the Galápagos Marine Reserve alongside sea lions, sea turtles, and colorful fish, or explore volcanic shores by Zodiac, kayak, and paddleboard. Veteran Galapagueño naturalists add insight into the species and ecosystems that make the archipelago unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Antarctica surrounds you with ice on a monumental scale, with whales surfacing near the ship and Zodiacs navigating enormous icebergs before shore landings bring you close to colonies of gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins. Take to a kayak for a water-level perspective on the sculpted ice, and learn about the surprisingly colorful life beneath the surface through footage captured by an undersea specialist. National Geographic Photographers also share techniques for documenting wildlife and the continent’s immense landscapes.

The new South Pacific itinerary introduces coral lagoons, volcanic islands, and centuries-old Polynesian culture to the 2028–2029 lineup with a tropical counterpoint to the season’s polar expeditions. Snorkel vibrant reefs, explore caves and tropical trails, and visit communities where you can learn about Polynesian traditions firsthand, including the UNESCO-listed Marae Taputapuātea, one of the region’s most important cultural and spiritual sites.

Adventures for every generation

Expedition travel gives families something increasingly difficult to find: an adventure that engages multiple generations without expecting everyone to engage in exactly the same way.

Younger family members can dig deeper through National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, a hands-on program that channels their curiosity into wildlife, science, conservation, and storytelling. Kids and teens might examine plankton under a microscope, learn to document wildlife and landscapes through photography, or investigate the ecosystems surrounding them alongside National Geographic certified field educators.

The result turns a family expedition into common ground, with generations exploring side by side and returning home with shared, first-hand experiences.

Expedition travel goes beyond the surface

The people exploring alongside you can play as important a role as the places on the itinerary. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions brings veteran captains and naturalists together with National Geographic Photographers and Explorers who share expertise in the field throughout the voyage, while responsible tourism practices prioritize conservation, respect local communities, and protect these spectacular environments.

Exploration also extends far beyond the deck. Zodiacs provide access to coastlines and waterways larger ships cannot approach, kayaks put you directly on the water, and guided hikes bring you into landscapes best understood on foot. Wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and scientific discovery become opportunities to learn why a destination looks, lives, and functions as it does, sending you home with memories and stories that go beyond your photos.

Plan for extraordinary expeditions

An expedition to Antarctica, the Galápagos, Alaska, or the South Pacific deserves more forethought than an ordinary getaway—and even more so if you’re planning a milestone celebration or coordinating the whole family. Bucket-list destinations offer limited access and fill fast, so you’ll want to book as far ahead as possible to secure your preferred departure dates and cabins before these exclusive opportunities sail by.

. . . . .

With the 2028–2029 season now open, you can start turning a dream adventure into a booked expedition by securing your spot today. Contact a AAA Travel Advisor to learn more about the newest voyages from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and find the itinerary that matches the way you want to explore.