Tom Ritchie

Tom is a professional naturalist and expedition leader who has worked in the field of expedition cruising almost since its inception by Lars Lindblad. Growing up near the Everglades allowed him to spend his youth exploring the swamps, marshes, forests, and reef systems of South Florida, a perfect training ground for his life with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

Tom completed his graduate studies at the University of Florida in vertebrate paleontology, anthropology and geology and has continued his scientific interests by conducting field studies and publishing scientific and magazine articles and books in both natural history and human history.  He is also an accomplished wildlife artist and collaborated with Lyall Watson in producing the guidebook Whales of the World.

Since 1977, Tom has led Lindblad-National Geographic voyages to the far reaches of the globe, including Antarctica, the High Arctic, the Amazon River, Africa, New Guinea, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and many other wild and primitive regions.  Although he considers himself a generalist and can speak knowledgeably about every geography we explore, he has a special love and fascination for the Antarctic ecosystem.  Tom helped set up IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) in 1991, a very successful organization that advocates, promotes and practices safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.  He also wrote the Antarctica Primer, which is a useful introduction to the Great White Continent supplied to Lindblad-National Geographic guests travelling to Antarctica.