Premieres September 12 at 9/8c on National Geographic, streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu
National Geographic is taking us on another breathtaking journey with explorer and filmmaker Bertie Gregory. This time, the Emmy Award–winning adventurer heads to the Azores, a remote island chain in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, for a story that blends cutting-edge natural history filmmaking with the powerful legacy of human impact on marine life.
Into the Heart of the Atlantic
The Azores sit within Europe’s largest marine protected area. These rich waters serve as a critical pit stop for migrating predators, from dolphins to sharks, who gather in a rare natural spectacle—the formation of massive bait balls. These dense shoals of fish draw elusive hunters from across the sea, creating one of the ocean’s most dramatic feeding events.
Gregory and his team arrive at the perfect time to capture this phenomenon, but the challenge is immense. The Atlantic is notorious for its sudden, unpredictable storms, which make filming at sea a test of both patience and skill.
A Story of Predators and People
The spectacle of the bait ball is only part of the story. Gregory also dives deep into the Azores’ past, exploring a region once defined by whaling. For centuries, these islands were at the heart of global whaling operations. But today, the story has shifted.
In one of the most powerful moments of the new episode, Gregory meets an ex-whaler who now serves as a whale spotter—proof of how the end of whaling transformed the Azores into a sanctuary. With hunting replaced by conservation, marine life has returned in astonishing numbers, restoring delicate food chains and allowing ecosystems to thrive again.
National Geographic Storytelling at Its Best
Dolphins Up Close with Bertie Gregory delivers more than stunning visuals. It’s a reminder of the fragile balance between humans and nature—and the resilience of the oceans when given the chance to heal. Gregory’s gift is telling these stories with heart, excitement, and a sense of adventure that connects viewers to the natural world.
