Join the lecture programme led by naturalists, historians, and geologists who bring the ocean and coastline into focus. Sessions explore marine ecosystems, coastal cultures, and the dynamic geology of the Pacific coast, using maps, specimens, and engaging visuals.

Ask questions, handle reference materials, and practice species ID. These talks connect the dots from Costa Rica’s tropics to Canada’s temperate rainforests, revealing how currents, climate, and people have shaped this seaway.

Head outside for a guided wildlife watch on deck, scanning the water for dolphins and sea turtles, flying fish, and seasonal seabirds riding the wind. Team members share viewing tips and help you track behavior across shimmering blue horizons.

Learn why upwelling zones attract life and how migration shapes sightings along this route. Pause for photos and reflection as the ship moves through ever-changing light and ocean texture—quiet moments that define time at sea.

Find a vantage point and embrace scenic Pacific sailing as warm, sunlit shores gradually give way to desert-meets-sea vistas near Baja and, later, the cooler, mist-edged Pacific Northwest. The ship becomes your moving lookout over open ocean and distant headlands.

Hear how the California Current shapes weather and wildlife along this coast. Watch colors shift from ochre cliffs to silver seas and forested peaks—an evolving panorama that rewards unhurried observation.

Board a local boat to explore Bahías de Huatulco National Park, gliding into sheltered coves for guided swims above snorkel coral gardens. Warm water, turquoise bays, and reef fish create a vibrant underwater tableau framed by dry tropical forest.

Guides discuss reef ecology and conservation while you float over brain corals and sea fans. Look for pufferfish and angelfish, and keep an eye on the surface for turtles. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Travel to the Copalita Archaeological Site for a guided look at Zapotec and Mixtec heritage—platforms, a ball court, and coastal lookout points shaped by ancient rituals and trade. Stroll pathways shaded by dry tropical forest alive with birdsong.

From hilltop viewpoints, trace where the Copalita River meets the Pacific, a landscape that sustained coastal communities for centuries. Cultural narratives and natural history intertwine. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Ascend the winding roads of the Sierra Madre del Sur to the mountain town of Pluma Hidalgo, home to fragrant high-altitude beans. Visit a family finca to learn cultivation and roasting, then sample nuanced cups of Oaxacan coffee amid cool, pine-scented air.

Hear stories of smallholder tradition and terroir as you walk among shade trees and drying patios. Village life unfolds around the plaza before your return. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Speed across the Sea of Cortez to Isla Espíritu Santo, part of the UNESCO-listed Gulf of California. Cruise beneath honey-colored cliffs into blue coves and view the California sea lion colony at Los Islotes from the boat; snorkeling may be offered when conditions and regulations allow.

Guides interpret geology, mangroves, and birdlife—frigatebirds overhead, with chances to spot rays in clear shallows. A picnic stop may be included depending on routing. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Stroll the sculpture-lined La Paz Malecón with a local guide, hearing tales of pearl divers and desert mariners as the bay shimmers beside you. Pause at traditional spots for a curated Baja seafood tasting—ceviche, fish tacos, and regional flavors drawn from the rich Sea of Cortez.

Between bites, admire shoreline art and skiffs bobbing at anchor, a living link to coastal life. Sunset often brings golden light to the promenade. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Settle in and meet your Expedition Team as you embark MS Roald Amundsen. A concise welcome briefing outlines safety, environmental practices, and how expedition days work—from shore operations to spotting wildlife—so you can make the most of life at sea.

Gain insight into the route up the Pacific coast and the ethos of exploration. Your guides share practical tips for responsible travel and what to watch for on deck, shaping a shared spirit of discovery for the voyage.