National Geographic Delfina

National Geographic Delfina is an intimate catamaran operated by Lindblad Expeditions for specialized expedition wildlife tours across the protected marine reserves of the Galápagos Islands. Originally completed in May two thousand seven by Botto Astilleros y Marina in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the vessel previously sailed under commercial names including Athala II and Celebrity Xploration before being acquired and integrated into the Lindblad fleet.

The ship accommodates a maximum of sixteen discerning guests across eight well-appointed staterooms, each featuring either a private balcony or direct access to an outer viewing deck. Onboard public areas include an expansive observation deck complete with a rejuvenating hot tub, an upper deck casual outdoor café, a main deck dining room, a fully stocked bar, a comfortable lounge, and a dedicated educational library.

Expedition operations are expertly guided by two professional naturalists, including a dedicated Expedition Leader and a National Geographic certified photo instructor who lead daily briefings, recaps, and enriching educational presentations. Guests have full access to comprehensive adventure equipment including stable Zodiacs, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and high quality snorkeling gear designed for immersive aquatic wildlife explorations across diverse coastal waters.

Named after the youngest daughter of founder Sven Olof Lindblad, the vessel provides an exceptionally personalized maritime environment where the attentive crew learns every guest name by day two. The intimate ship appeals directly to small group travelers and passionate wildlife enthusiasts seeking close-up encounters with rare endemic island species rather than conventional large scale cruise entertainment facilities.

Operating as the smallest vessel within the Lindblad fleet, this specialized catamaran offers unmatched maneuverability and flexible access to restricted visitor sites throughout the entire archipelago. Every scheduled voyage delivers close-quarters wildlife viewing backed by professional expedition logistics and high standards of comfort across all marine operations.

Explored the Galápagos aboard National Geographic Delfina? Record this expedition voyage on your account at The Cruise Globe to track your route and update your Passport stats!