We made it to the Galápagos!
Tess, Mark, and I sailed more than 2,200 miles from Concón, Chile, to the Galápagos Islands. After weathering a significant windstorm during the first few days—an experience I wrote about in my recent blog, There's No Certainty at Sea—we settled into beautiful sailing conditions, with 15–25 knots of south and south-southeast winds carrying us all the way to Santa Cruz. It was the most incredible trade-wind sailing I have ever experienced.
Since arriving in the Galápagos, we have been joined by volunteers Steve Quinn and Grace Dalton. Steve will continue with us to the Hawaiian Islands, while Grace will return to British Columbia to prepare for her work with BC Whales this summer. The Galápagos has been a deeply enriching and educational stop for all of us as we learn about this remarkably diverse marine ecosystem and the efforts underway to protect it. This archipelago inspired some of the world's earliest scientific inquiry into the natural world and continues to serve as one of the planet's most important living laboratories.
Grace, Tess, Steve, and I had the extraordinary opportunity to scuba dive alongside white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, playful sea lions, and vast shimmering bait balls of silver fish. Swimming through this abundance of life deepened our connection to the ocean and reinforced exactly why this expedition exists—to share stories that inspire the protection of these extraordinary marine ecosystems.
An Incredible Opportunity to Support the Expedition
We are thrilled to announce a remarkable donation from Langara Fishing Lodge! It is a 4-5 day all inclusive stay at this first-class resort. Experience pristine waters, incredible fishing, and one of the most spectacular and remote destinations on Earth—all while supporting ocean science and education!
What does it include?
The greatest fishing and wildlife adventures in the world in British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii archipelago --a spectacular destination that belongs on the bucket list of every angler and world traveler!
Package includes:
• 4- or 5-day trip to Langara Fishing Lodge for 2 people in the 2026 or 2027 season
• Return air travel from Vancouver to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
• Scenic helicopter flight to Langara Fishing Lodge
• Accommodations and all meals, including alcohol with meals
• Private 19’ boat, all necessary fishing equipment, and marine clothing
This incredible setting plays host to the greatest abundance of migratory salmon on the West Coast of North America, as well as large populations of Humpback and Killer whales, and a countless variety of fish, birds and marine mammals.
The floating lodge is anchored in sheltered waters, with close proximity to the fishing grounds, and the option of fishing with expert guides, make this an unforgettable adventure for both serious and novice anglers, and any outdoor enthusiasts.
This package valued at $15,000 is open for an offer! We are willing to negotiate! But most importantly, 100% of the proceeds will directly support the Around the Americas Expedition, helping fund critical research and education outreach.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact me directly at:
Jennifer Dalton
atamericasjd@gmail.com
Upcoming Live Classroom: Motivating Meaningful Change
No matter your age, you won't want to miss this one.
Our next live classroom, "Motivating Meaningful Change," will feature crew members from the original 2009–2010 Around the Americas Expedition. I am personally excited for this reunion. These individuals embody what it means to be Ocean Stewards and have inspired me throughout my own journey - yep, they are my heroes!
Mark Schrader shares the story behind this special event:
Sixteen years ago, a dedicated group of sailors, scientists, educators and photographers decided to join a 24,000 mile/12-month sailing expedition to circumnavigate North and South America. The purpose of the voyage – to emphasize the fact that the Americas are one island, surrounded by one ocean, a very important concept for shared ocean conservation responsibilities. Political and geographic boundaries mean nothing to migrating sea life. A concept the 2009/10 crew of S/V Ocean Watch understood, shared and endorsed through formal and informal education channels. At the conclusion of that voyage all agreed a follow-up voyage years later could further conservation conversations by noting any significant environmental or marine ecosystem changes. That follow-on voyage became the mission of our current ‘One-Island, One-Ocean’ effort. The seed that crew planted 16 years ago is the reason we are in the Galapagos today.
Obviously, the communication world has changed dramatically during these years. Visiting schools and groups directly in 2009/10 has now been replaced by real-time, on-line presentations directly from our boat, S/V One Ocean. To date we are sharing science, education, and personal experiences with an audience of millions. Now we have invited scientists, oceanographers, fisheries experts and local advocates to share their expertise with this audience. Our 2009/10 Ocean Watch crew led the way for our present course, and we’ve asked them to share some of their experiences during our next on-line classroom, aptly titled “Motivating Meaningful Change.” All are deeply committed ocean stewards, and all have interesting stories on the why and how our oceans became important to them.
David Rockefeller Jr., Environmental activist, Ocean Steward, Sailor and Founder of Sailors-for-the-Sea, supported the Ocean Watch effort and joined the crew for an emotional spinnaker rounding of Cape Horn in 2010. His conservation and education efforts for our Planet and our Ocean are truly significant and important. His support for our current effort has been extremely appreciated by all involved.
David Thoreson, Photographer, Storyteller, Sailor, veteran of several ‘extreme’ Arctic sailing adventures including Ocean Watch from start to finish. A lecturer/storyteller and Ocean Steward from land-locked Iowa and photographer for our One Island, One Ocean book.
Herb McCormick, Writer, Sailor, Adventurer and veteran of sailing races and experiences in as many oceans as you can name. He is the author of “One Island, One Ocean” chronicling our 2009-10 voyage.
Join us for our ‘reunion’ classroom and hear from those who made it possible and decided to be ‘agents of change’ and Ocean Stewards. Get your questions ready!
Register your classroom or submit questions here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2qqrwJ0XmWj5umU22YDufVwJ_U6y5jEBK2_AfEvRx0tIT1w/viewform
Watch live on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/live/D0ZQ9izIj3s?si=YoRLtmZUdwWTNVe4
Thank you for being part of this journey. As we prepare for the final stretch of the expedition, your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission continue to carry us forward.
Fair winds,
Jennifer Dalton
Around the Americas Expedition