02 Jul 2025

Heritage Expeditions Makes Cruise History in the Philippines with Ocean with David Attenborough director and producer Toby Nowlan

Heritage Expeditions continues making cruise history visiting new islands and destinations on the Philippines leg of its recent Asian Island Odyssey voyage with special guide, lecturer and Ocean with David Attenborough director and producer Toby Nowlan.

The expedition cruise pioneers and Australasia’s only family-owned and -operated expedition cruise company was the first expedition cruise vessel to visit the remote Philippine islands of Samar, Patnanungan, Matukad as well as the National Parks of Caramoan and Sierra Madre on an expedition which showcased Heritage Expeditions commitment to exploration and supporting local communities and conservation.

Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ said it had been a thrilling few days visiting the new destinations and being so warmly welcomed by local villages and communities.

“It really is an incredible privilege to share the first ship visits to these beautiful, tropical islands and outposts with our intrepid guests,” he said. 

“Making connections with, and supporting remote communities, understanding and experiencing new cultures, and exploring the wilderness and enjoying wildlife encounters well off the beaten path is the essence of authentic expedition cruising and all part of the Heritage Expeditions experience.”

With incredible turnouts, sometimes the whole village or island, guests often felt like rock stars visiting the islands, with Heritage Expeditions guide Toby Nowlan getting extra attention following the release of his movie Ocean with David Attenborough.

“The impact of this movie, and Toby’s 16-year working relationship with David Attenborough, is incredible, it’s reaching all corners of the planet with young children from remote villages on tiny islands recognising Toby from TikTok videos of the movie’s launch,” said Aaron.

Guests were treated to a special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough, the first at sea, followed by a Q&A with Toby during the voyage.

"The global impact and reach of Ocean with David Attenborough has been completely overwhelming, and like nothing we've known before in our industry,” said Toby.

“It was astounding to be received by some of the most remote villages in the Philippines who recognised me from TikTok videos about Ocean with David Attenborough.”

Toby described his time back on the ocean, aboard Heritage Adventurer and as part of the Heritage Expeditions team as “an absolute pleasure”.

“Heritage Expeditions is clearly a very special company which offers something very different, with a clear legacy of conservation and support for remote communities and endangered island wildlife,” he said.

“I've loved sharing the story of Ocean with David Attenborough with the guests and expedition team on Asian Island Odyssey, and hope to rejoin them back on board Heritage Adventurer soon.”

Asian Island Odyssey
25 June - 13 July 2026

Asian Island Odyssey is ultimate island-hopping expedition cruise sailing well off the traditional tourist from Taipei, through the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia to Darwin crossing both the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. Discover islands where impossibly blue waters gently lap white sand beaches and pristine coral gardens and walls abound with neon-lit fish, fascinating rare birds and wildlife dwell in primeval jungles, intriguing time-forget cultures and traditions await discovery. In addition to being among some of the most biodiverse regions on the planet and home to rare and endangered wildlife, these remote tropical outposts boast incredible history, heritage and ancient cultures. Escaping the tourist boom due to their hard-to-reach locations makes them perfect for exploration by expedition ship.