Darwin Leader Priya Talreja, an environmental policy advocate from California, has spent this week working with the renowned Azores Deep Sea Research group, led by Dr. Telmo Morato.

This team is gaining global recognition for mapping deep-sea biodiversity using smart, low-impact tools like the Azor Drift Cam – a compact camera system capturing real-time footage of the ocean floor and making the deep sea visible to people everywhere 🌍

Throughout the week, Priya has been exploring how this innovative tech is helping scientists discover new species, monitor fragile ecosystems, and shape global ocean policy – all while minimising cost and environmental impact.

🎬 As part of her project, she’s developing short films and essays that explore how science, policy, and storytelling can come together to protect the deep ocean – Earth’s last great frontier.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.horta.uac.pt/project/azores-deep-sea-group
🌐 www.darwin200.com

#Darwin200 #ProjectSpotlight #DeepSeaExploration #AzorDriftCam #OceanInnovation #MarineScience #OceanPolicy #NextGenLeaders #ClimateAction #DarwinLeader #Azores …

Darwin Leader Cassandra Murrell has just kicked off her project at the University of the Azores’ Deep-Sea Lab, diving into the fascinating world of cold-water corals – some of the ocean’s oldest and most important ecosystems.

On her very first visit, Cassie was struck by the beauty and resilience of these corals, thriving at depths of 200 to 1,500 meters, and deeply inspired by the powerhouse team of young female scientists led by Dr. Marina Carreiro-Silva.

Over the coming days, she’ll be documenting how this pioneering group is advancing research into coral reproduction, restoration, and resistance, all in the face of mounting threats, such as climate change and deep-sea mining.

🎥 Follow along as Cassie helps bring this story to the surface, shining a light on ocean innovation and stewardship in the Azores.

🔗 Learn more about DeepSeaLab: https://deepsea.uac.pt/experimental-research
🌍 Explore the journey: www.darwin200.com

#Darwin200 #ProjectSpotlight #ColdWaterCorals #Azores #MarineScience #DeepSeaLab #OceanHope #ClimateAction #NextGenLeaders #DarwinLeader …

This week, we’ve welcomed two incredible #DarwinLeaders diving into deep-sea research on Okeanos Institute, at the stunning Azores Islands.

🐠 Cassandra Murrell (from Ireland) is working with Dr. Marina Carreiro-Silva and the team at the University of the Azores’ Deep-Sea Lab @okeanos_uac and @azores.deepsea , documenting cutting-edge science on cold-water corals ancient ecosystems threatened by climate change and deep-sea mining.

📡 Priya Talreja (from California) is collaborating with Dr. Telmo Morato and the Azores Deep Sea Research group, using innovative tech like the Azor Drift Cam to bring live images of the deep ocean to screens around the world 🌍

🎬 Each project will produce a mini-documentary and a series of essays to inspire a new generation of ocean defenders and spotlight the Azores as a global leader in protecting Earth’s last great frontier.

#Darwin200 #OceanExploration #Azores #MarineScience #DeepSea #CoralReefs #OceanHope #NextGenLeaders #ClimateAction …

#darwin200reflections is complete — but the journey isn’t over yet.

After two incredible years filled with unforgettable moments, inspiring connections, and powerful stories, the end of the voyage is in sight.

The Oosterschelde, last week, arrived in the Azores — a stunning volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic.

So far, the ship has been exploring several of the islands, including São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, and now Faial.
Today marks the start of a brand new Darwin Leader week in the port of Horta, where a new group of young conservationists will be diving into wildlife and conservation topics unique to this remarkable part of the world.

Stay tuned

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #capetown #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #conservation #wildlife …

NAME A NEW SPECIES! 🦗

Students around the world, this is your chance to help name a newly discovered marine cricket species found only on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)!

Discovered by Jut Wynne as part of the DARWIN200 research, this tiny, ground-dwelling cricket (less than 15 mm!) was first documented in lava tube caves near Hanga Roa. On an island shaped by dramatic environmental change, this discovery is both scientifically thrilling and a call to conservation.

🗳️ Five names were proposed by local Rapa Nui students — now it’s your turn to vote for your favorite!

The student whose name is selected will receive a $1000 scholarship
The winning name will be announced LIVE from London on July 27th
Found nowhere else on Earth, this species may already be under threat — help shape its scientific legacy!

👉 Vote now via the link in our bio.

#Darwin200 #RapaNuiCricket #NameTheCricket #StudentVoice #ConservationInAction #JutWynne #BiodiversityMatters …

The final post in our #darwin200reflections series — and tomorrow, we rejoin the ship in its current port: the Azores.

But before that, we take you to Ascension Island.

We’ve already shared a bit about Charles Darwin’s visit here, but our own time on Ascension was just as unforgettable. From witnessing thousands of green turtles hatch on the beach to exploring the unique volcanic landscapes, the island delivered wildlife spectacles at every turn.

We were joined by three inspiring Darwin Leaders from St Helena, each undertaking projects focused on the island’s fascinating wildlife and environmental challenges — learning firsthand about the conservation work happening here today.

Earlier this month, after a very special stay, we set sail once more — this time heading north across the equator on the long journey to the Azores.

And just a few days ago, we arrived.
Tomorrow, a new group of Darwin Leaders will begin their projects in this spectacular part of the world.

Stay tuned to see what they get up to.

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #ascensionisland #azores #wildlifeconservation #voyageofthebeagle #greenTurtles #expedition #oceanjourney #historicjourney #biodiversity …

St Helena — a remote volcanic island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean.

Most famously, it was the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, who died here in 1821. Just 15 years later, in 1836, Charles Darwin visited the island during the final stages of his voyage aboard HMS Beagle.

Darwin was fascinated by St Helena’s geology and ecology. He spent much of his short visit exploring the rugged interior, collecting plant specimens, and documenting the island’s volcanic features

Darwin wrote: the “island rises abruptly like a huge black castle from the ocean”

Until recently, St Helena remained accessible only by sea. Today it has an airport but fortunately for us we arrived by sea, watching the island appear from the horizon just as Darwin did.

We were fortunate to spend time exploring both sides of the island — its fascinating history and its important conservation work.

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #capetown #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #conservation #wildlife …

🌍 Meet the Darwin 200 Leaders from St Helena & Ascension Island! 🐢🌿🪶

As part of our mission to support local conservation and empower the next generation of environmental leaders, we’ve had the privilege of working with three incredible St Helenian Darwin Leaders across St Helena and Ascension Island.

On St Helena, we led a joint project with Matthew Owen and Jolan Henry, in partnership with the St Helena National Trust. Together, they explored the past, present, and future of conservation on the island from wirebirds and insects to boobies, invasive plants, and even some marine life. This project offered a powerful glimpse into the rich biodiversity of this remote island.

Matthew and Jolan were then joined by another incredible local leader, Tyanne, as they sailed with us to Ascension to continue their conservation journeys.

On Ascension Island, our three Darwin Leaders each led focused research projects in partnership with Ascension Island Conservation:
Tyanne studied Green Mountain, focusing on the rare parsley fern
Matthew explored beach ecosystems, with a spotlight on green turtles
Jolan researched seabird colonies, particularly frigatebirds

We’re proud to provide opportunities for these young leaders as they work to protect some of the world’s most extraordinary and fragile ecosystems.

#Darwin200 #DarwinLeaders #StHelena #AscensionIsland #YouthInConservation #IslandConservation #GreenTurtles #Frigatebirds #ParsleyFern #Wirebirds …

As we continue our recap of the DARWIN200 voyage, we’re getting closer and closer to the present day.

In April 2024, we arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, after crossing not one, but two oceans. The ship had earned a rest so a scheduled period of maintenance was much needed.

But this wasn’t just a pit stop.

Over two weeks, we welcomed 10 Darwin Leaders from across the African continent, each working on inspiring projects with local conservation organisations. From vultures and penguins to turtles and even carnivorous plants — the biodiversity of the region was extraordinary.

Beyond the Darwin Leader work, the stay in South Africa was full of events. We sailed the Oosterschelde to Simon’s Town — the very same port the Beagle docked in — where we took part in the unveiling of a bust of Charles Darwin and watched a play inspired by his life and legacy. We even held the Darwin Leader Presentations in front of a aquarium tank!

From here, our next stop took us further along the Beagle’s route — to the remote island of St Helena.

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #capetown #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #southafrica #conservation #wildlife …

We had crossed the Pacific — now it was time to cross the Atlantic.

But not without a few incredible stops along the way.

After resting and resupplying in the Falkland Islands — we set sail for one of the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations: South Georgia.

A week’s sail from the Falklands, this remote island sits isolated in the South Atlantic. Despite its distance from everywhere, South Georgia is bursting with life. It’s home to tens of millions of seabirds, millions of seals, and some of the largest King Penguin colonies on Earth — one with more than 150,000 individuals.

The sheer density of wildlife here is staggering. It’s often called the “Antarctic Galápagos” — and for good reason.

Because of its exposed location, the swell and weather can make landings here a challenge. But fortune was on our side, and we were able to spend a few unforgettable days exploring this wild and beautiful place on foot.

From here, our course turned northeast — a multi-week crossing to South Africa, where we would once again intersect with the voyage of the Beagle.

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney …

January 2025.
We had just welcomed in the New Year in Lyttelton, New Zealand, and were now making the final preparations before departing on the longest leg of the entire DARWIN200 voyage:

A seven-week crossing of the South Pacific to the Falkland Islands.

Leaving port this time felt different.

We had become familiar with the rhythm of one- to two-week sails — but very few onboard knew what seven weeks at sea would truly feel like.

A few days out, we passed the Chatham Islands — the last land we’d see before rounding Cape Horn. Beyond that: nothing but open ocean.

Some days felt like weeks. Some weeks, like days.

Since departing, we experienced it all: pouring rain, bright sun, steady winds, and big swell.

But by the end of January, we were hit with the heaviest weather of the entire voyage —
50-knot winds and 10-metre waves.

Those 36 hours were a blur.

The wind was so powerful, it sculpted the sea into something unrecognisable – not rolling waves, but a churning plain. The peaks were flattened, the surface shredded, it looked like a desert.

And then, the wind dropped.

We were fast approaching landfall.

Rounding Cape Horn was a powerful moment.

We hadn’t seen land in weeks, and now here we were — crossing from the Pacific into the Atlantic, with one of the most iconic landmarks in maritime history just off our bow.

To have crossed an entire ocean, and to do so at such a storied location, was a surreal and humbling experience. It felt like stepping back in time — a connection to every voyage that had made this passage before us.

With Cape Horn behind us, only one stop remained:

The Falkland Islands.

Stepping on land for the first time in seven weeks brought a strong case of land sickness — but also a wave of relief, joy, and deep achievement.

It was a true epic. A voyage made possible only through teamwork, resilience, and the skill of the incredible crew aboard the Oosterschelde.

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney …