FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY

Many people know that the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth – but the true scale of it can be hard to comprehend.
The one body of water covers a staggering 32% of the Earth’s surface – nearly a third of the entire planet.

From April to October 2024, we voyaged across this vast ocean, hopping between remote islands, sailing thousands of miles, learning about the unique wildlife and conservation issues.

Each island brought something different – unique landscapes, diverse cultures, incredible wildlife.

We covered over 10,000 nautical miles, travelling from Ecuador to New Zealand, visiting:

The Galapagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn, Mangareva, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, the Society Islands, Rarotonga, Tonga and Fiji.

And in October 2024, we arrived in New Zealand – the country that lies furthest from the UK on the planet.

Crossing the Pacific was a big endeavour, and it’s hard to believe that we have since crossed back across this ocean, the Atlantic and are almost home.

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

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With French Polynesia in our wake, our voyage continued westward to more islands.

We sailed first to Rarotonga, and then on to the island kingdom of Tonga.

Both of which treated us to some incredible encounters with one particular species: the humpback whale.

Both these islands lie on the migration route of these whales, making them hotspots for sightings.

Tonga, is world renowned for being able to get in the water and swim with these gentle giants.

We were fortunate enough to do just that.

Being in the water with such a massive, peaceful creature, hearing the sounds of call as the mother and calf communicate, it was such a special experience.

Even as we continued our journey south from Vava’u to Tongatapu, the encounters didn’t stop. We set sail beneath a glowing sunset, and just as the last light dipped below the horizon, multiple humpbacks surfaced beside the ship, as if to bid us farewell

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #humpback whales

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Join us for the next episode of The World`s Most Exciting Classroom — streaming LIVE TODAY, Thursday, June 12th at 9am Eastern / 2pm UK! 🌍📚

– Watch live or later via the link in our bio.

– Follow the Oosterschelde and the DARWIN200 team as they sail from Ascension to the Azores — their final stop before returning to the UK!
– Meet Marcelo Rheingantz, biologist and wildlife hero, reintroducing native animals to Brazil’s Tijuca National Park.
– Try a brand-new experiment in your classroom.
– Play Kahoot for a $50 gift card prize!
– Discover the latest Curiosity of the Week.

It’s science, exploration, and inspiration — all in one incredible hour. Don’t miss it!

#Darwin200 #STEMeducation #WildlifeConservation #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom

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Our time sailing through the Strait of Magellan was full of wildlife – from colonies of sealions and seabirds to the largest animal on Earth, the Blue Whale.

But one species became a regular companion on this stretch of the voyage:

Peale’s Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus australis)

These agile cetaceans inhabit the cold coastal waters of southern South America, and we were lucky enough to encounter them frequently during our passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific back in January 2024.

Often, they would ride the bow wave of the ship. But every now and then, they’d surprise us with an acrobatic display: bursts of energy and leaps from the water.

We remember one young dolphin in particular doing six jumps in a row!

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #pealesdolphin

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What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day than with the largest animal to have EVER lived on Earth:

THE BLUE WHALE (Balaenoptera musculus)

Among all the wildlife we’ve encountered on this voyage, this moment stands out as one of the most unforgettable

As we finished our journey in the Chilean Fjords and exited into the Pacific Ocean we were joined by not one, but 3 Blue Whales who stayed with us for over 2 hours. Toward the end, Humpback Whales even joined, making their own display in the distance.

We were completely awestruck, surrounded by this natural marvel developing around us.

On World Oceans Day, the planet celebrates the oceans and draws attention to the growing need to protect them.

These gentle giants represent just one part of the intricate, complex, beautiful web of ocean life – that we risk to lose.

Let this be a celebration of not just awe – but responsibility.

We all have a role to play. Whether that be by reducing plastic consumption or by simply sharing your own awe of the natural world with others, to get them to care.

A message that we hold close is from the Senegalese Conservationist Baba Dioum:

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #southamerica #worldoceansday #bluewhale

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