Signature highlights
The ship’s shallow-draft, compact design allows it to explore narrow channels, small harbors, and remote coastal areas. Expedition equipment includes Zodiacs, kayaks, a hydrophone, SplashCam, and underwater video equipment.
National Geographic Sea Lion
National Geographic Sea Lion is a 62-guest Lindblad Expeditions expedition ship, in service since 1982. This page lists 1 upcoming departure across 1 itinerary, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
National Geographic Sea Lion at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 2%
A small expedition-size ship at 630 gross tons — #551 of 565 ships we track. 10 tons of ship per guest.
Live Position ● 2 hours ago
Heading to: Astoria OR
0.0 knots
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About National Geographic Sea Lion
National Geographic Sea Lion is a small, U.S.-flagged expedition ship built for intimate exploration of coastal waterways, narrow inlets, and wildlife-rich passages. The 62-guest vessel offers 31 outside cabins, three passenger decks, expedition landing craft, kayaks, and specialized equipment such as a hydrophone and SplashCam. Its compact scale supports access to places larger ships cannot reach, while an open bridge, observation areas, locally influenced meals, and onboard naturalists create an informal, discovery-focused experience.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Builder / shipyard
- Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
- Registry / flag
- United States (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- WUR9646
- IMO number
- 8966456
- MMSI
- 366396000
- Previous names
- Great Rivers Explorer; Sea Lion
Onboard Experience
Dining
Meals are served in a single, informal seating with unassigned tables and locally inspired fare. The ship also has a lounge and bar.
Entertainment
The lounge supports films, slide shows, presentations, and informal socializing. An open-bridge policy allows guests to meet the captain and officers and observe navigation.
Staterooms & suites
All 31 cabins face outside and include windows, private bathrooms, lower berths, reading lights, and individual climate control. Selected upper-deck cabins can convert twin beds into a double bed and accommodate a third guest.
Pools, spa & wellness
Onboard wellness facilities include exercise equipment, a LEXspa, and an outdoor stretching area, with a wellness specialist assigned to the vessel.
Environmental features
The operator highlights sustainable and locally sourced menu choices where possible. The ship’s small scale and expedition equipment support low-capacity coastal exploration, although no broader current sustainability certification is identified.
History & sister ships
Other Expedition ship ships
Where National Geographic Sea Lion sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other / multi-region | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Explore This Ship
Jump from National Geographic Sea Lion sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
5 Nights
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History 6-Day
Next: Oct 14, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 1 itinerary and their departure dates
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 19, 2026 | Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History 6-Day | 5 | Book → |
National Geographic Sea Lion FAQ
What flag does National Geographic Sea Lion sail under?
National Geographic Sea Lion is registered in United States.
How many passengers does National Geographic Sea Lion hold?
National Geographic Sea Lion carries about 62 guests with roughly 30 crew.
How old is National Geographic Sea Lion?
National Geographic Sea Lion entered service in 1982 and was last refurbished in 2015.
How big is National Geographic Sea Lion?
At 630 gross tons and 46 m long, National Geographic Sea Lion is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 2% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.