Vancouver is a city in southwestern Washington located along the north bank of the Columbia River, directly across from Portland, Oregon. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the Pacific Northwest and serves as the county seat of Clark County.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve lies off the southern coast of Ambergris Caye, near San Pedro in northern Belize. The protected area covers coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and channels that form part of the Belize Barrier Reef. Its name comes from the Maya words for “little channel,” referring to a natural break in the reef that allows water to move between the Caribbean Sea and the shallow lagoon.

Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, rests along the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez in northern Sonora, Mexico. Along its shoreline, Sandy Beach draws visitors with long stretches of walkable sand and calm water, while Playa Hermosa and Playa Mirador offer quieter spots where tide pools appear as the sea pulls back. Boat rides to Bird Island, also known as Isla San Jorge, provide a rare chance to see large colonies of sea lions resting on rocky ledges.

Uzbekistan lies at the heart of Central Asia and is renowned for its pivotal role along the ancient Silk Road. The country is home to some of the world’s most storied cities, where intricate Islamic architecture and centuries of trade have left a rich cultural legacy.

El Nido is a coastal municipality in northern Palawan, Philippines, known for its limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, forested islands, and sheltered bays. The town sits at the northern end of the Palawan mainland, facing the Bacuit Archipelago, where numerous small islands rise from the sea. Its setting combines a compact seaside town with a large marine landscape that is explored mainly by boat.