An intimately scaled expedition travel ship

National Geographic Sea Bird, like her twin ship National Geographic Sea Lion, is a tried and true expedition ship that plies the waters from Alaska, to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, To Baja California and the Sea of Cortez. With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.

Welcome to the expedition community

Sea Bird accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Her inviting public spaces foster a sense of shipboard life where everyone is integral to the adventure, engendering a sense of expedition community. National Geographic writer Andrew Evans called Sea Bird the "closest thing to Cousteau's Calypso" he's ever had the pleasure to be on.

She is equipped with tools for exploration that guarantee us an in-depth experience in all the places we explore, and her open bow is a natural gathering place that accommodates the entire community at once for shared wildlife viewing experiences. Our expedition style is active, casual, and engaged. There is no need for formal clothing, and the services offered aboard ensure travel is effortless. Learn more about life aboard, including dining, or see our cabins. After a day of exploring, you're invited to relax in Sea Bird's open spaces on deck or recharge with a wellness treatment.

See, do and get more with these cool tools

National Geographic Sea Bird is outfitted with cool tools for exploration that enable a deeper connection with the places you'll explore.

Kayaks

A fleet of one- and two-person kayaks allow you to explore intimate bays and paddle along scenic shorelines. Our naturalists will help novices with technique, while experts have the opportunity to explore further afield.

Expedition Landing Craft

Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With several of these boats used every time we disembark, we're able to transfer everyone off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. These sturdy inflatable craft are the same time-tested brand Jacques Cousteau used in his expeditions for over 30 years. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of carrying 12 to 14 people with ease.

Hydrophone

Hear the vocalizations of whales swimming beneath our bow in Alaska and Baja California when your naturalist lowers a hydrophone overboard. The sounds are played over the ship's loudspeaker so everyone can hear the songs of whales while we watch them feed, fluke, and dive near our ship.

Underwater camera

In Alaska and Baja California, our undersea specialist will explore dive sites 40 to 80 feet deep and shoot video, to share during Recap in Sea Bird's lounge, offering us a glimpse of places few people get to explore.

Bow Cam

Splash-Cam

The ship is equipped with a Splash-Cam for easy deployment by our naturalists to investigate life just below the water's surface in Alaska or Baja California.

Snorkeling gear & wetsuits

If you're exploring Baja California you'll be fitted with a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit. These are yours to use for the expedition - so there's no need to pack and tote your own gear. The 3mm shorty wetsuits allow you to stay in the water comfortably for longer and protect your skin from the sun. Guests who own masks with prescription lenses, or prefer to use thicker, full-length wetsuits are invited to bring their own gear. Guests in Alaska are also invited to get in the water...sans wetsuit during the weekly polar plunge.

Welcoming spaces, great food, plus health & harmony

Dining

Food served aboard is fresh, local and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the main deck. When weather conditions allow, some meals are served on the sundeck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you.

Public spaces

National Geographic Sea Bird features an open bow and sundeck for gathering to watch for wildlife or enjoy an evening cocktail with friends in the open air.

Bridge:

You're invited to the ship's bridge to see the calm business of navigation unfold. Ask the watch officer questions about navigation. Or, help yourself to the ever-ready binoculars to scan the horizon for whale spouts. There may occasionally be times when the bridge must be restricted to shipboard personnel only.

Lounge:

The lounge, located forward on the main deck, is the heart of our expedition community, where we hold cocktail hour and Recap each evening. It's also where you'll gather for lectures, photography talks, and guest speaker presentations. There's a small reference library and board games and cards are also available.

Bar:

The bar is typically open from 11 a.m. until one hour after lunch begins and from 5 p.m. until closing. A variety of beverages are available for purchase including wine by the glass or bottle, cocktails, specialty drinks, and spirits. There is also a 24-hour self-service beverage station with coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, water, ice, and snacks. The drinking age aboard the ship is 21.

Sundeck:

Morning stretch classes are held in the open air of the sundeck, located aft on the bridge deck. After stretch class the deck is set with tables and chairs, and lounge chairs.

Bow:

Sea Bird's bow observation area accommodates the entire expedition community at once for a shared wildlife viewing experience. A raised platform in the center is a favorite perch for photographers.

Wellness aboard

Making daily discoveries and exploring the wild world is naturally uplifting. Your wellness specialist will help make your expedition relaxing as well as revitalizing. Greet the day with a light exercise class on deck; take an aerobic sensory walk ashore; soothe yourself with a massage onboard. Relaxing full body, deep tissue and focused therapeutic massages are available. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a treatment once on board.

Fitness area:

Two exercise bikes and an elliptical machine are located in the open air of the sundeck. In addition, yoga mats, blocks, straps, resistance bands, small hand weights and foam rollers are located in the wellness deck box, and available for use anytime during the voyage.

The global market: a window on regional talent

Discover the talent of local artisans in the places Sea Bird ventures in the ship's global market. The global market is a collection of items made by local residents in the places we explore. It is hosted in the ship's lounge during each expedition. You may find silver jewelry crafted in Alaska, handmade dolls from Baja, paintings and books by your naturalist staff, plus expedition clothing and other essentials. Every item purchased in the global market contributes to the Lindblad Artisan Fund, which supports artisans in communities around the world to develop their potential more effectively and successfully. Five percent of all Sea Bird global market sales will be earmarked for this fund, and the Lindblad-National Geographic Fund will match dollar for dollar what is raised through these earmarks.

An extraordinary hotel staff, at your service

An attentive, expert hotel staff and well-thought-out amenities ensure a comfortable shipboard life.

Stay connected

Every cabin on National Geographic Sea Bird offers Wi-Fi as do the lounge and dining room. Connecting to the Internet costs between $.40 and $.75 per minute, based on how many minutes you purchase. Satellite phone is available for phone calls at additional charge. Stay in touch with the news back home through a condensed version of The New York Times printed aboard each day.

Photo kiosk for photographers

An iMac station is available in the ship's lounge for sorting and transferring your photos. It's equipped with a digital media reader and USB outlets. Bring along an external hard drive or USB drive (or several) to store and back up your photos. Use of the photo kiosk is complimentary, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Always-open drinks

Reusable bottles for water are in your cabin when you arrive. The lounge offers hot coffee and tea, plus filtered water, ice, and soda 24 hours a day.

Doctor

A doctor is aboard Sea Bird in Baja California and is available 24 hours a day, at no charge.

Comfort & convenience in every cabin

Air-conditioning/heating

The ship is air-conditioned and heated throughout. Each cabin has its own air flow regulator, allowing you to control the temperature level in your cabin.

Basic amenities

You'll find botanically-inspired shampoo, shower gel, a hair dryer, and an SPF 15 lip balm in your cabin.

Cabin keys

We do not issue keys to the cabins on this vessel. Cabin doors may be locked from the inside. Each cabin has a desk with a locking drawer.

Electrical current

Each cabin is equipped with 110-volt (standard American-style) outlets. Electric razors, hair dryers, and other small appliances may be used in cabin outlets. Please note that the electrical current is sometimes uneven, so we suggest you use a surge protector if you have one for your computer or other sensitive equipment.

Luggage storage

Your cabin has been designed so that luggage can be stored under your bed. There is ample space to hang and store clothing in your cabin. Due to space limitations, we cannot store your luggage in other areas on board the ship.

Smoking

Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is not permitted in any interior space including guest cabins.

Wireless Internet

Your cabin offers Wi-Fi access. Connecting to the satellite Internet costs between $.40 and $.75 per minute, based on how many minutes you purchase.