After waking up in Anita Bay of Etolin Island, our morning aboard National Geographic Sea Lion started with an epic sighting of a female coastal brown bear and her two cubs. A chum and king salmon hatchery were active nearby, enticing the bears to forage close to shore. Bushwhacking and combing through the beach area were offered. After climbing up and crawling under trees, the bushwhackers made it back to the ship, tired but in one piece. We soon picked up anchor and sailed to Wrangell, where guests went on a jetboat tour up the Stikine River, visited Chief Shakes’ Longhouse, or explored the town of Wrangell on their own. To end the evening, our naturalists and a few crewmembers modeled Ray Troll shirts during recap. Ray Troll’s band, the Ratfish Wranglers, played in the background as staff were announced and strutted around the lounge revealing their Ray Troll art.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 17 Jun 2023
Anita Bay and Wrangell, 6/17/2023, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Alaska
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell and Misty Fjords
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/21/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Wrangell, Alaska
We arrived early to the town of Wrangell, excited to get the activities underway for our morning ashore. The excursion options included a jet boat tour up the Stikine River, a visit to the Shake’s house (traditional Long House), and investigating petroglyphs on a local beach. We returned to National Geographic Sea Bird for a delicious lunch and then went out for the afternoon activities. The options included a visit to the town museum and a hike up Mt. Dewey. We had lovely weather for our wonderful day of exploring.
5/20/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Cascade Creek/Ruth Island Petersburg, Alaska
The misty Alaska landscape was no stranger to us this morning as we woke to anchor in Thomas Bay. Our expedition today took us on tours around more of the Tongass National Forests’ splendor. We embarked on trails to see the falls of Cascade Creek, which were immensely powerful, casting misty spray across the forest of Western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Everything in the forest was incredibly dense, with life in all areas of the over and understory. In the afternoon, we explored Ruth Island, this time bushwacking along a tributary to make our way up to a beaver-dammed pond. The sight was fantastical, set among the forest with reed grass, toads, passerines, and even dense clumps of sundew. Guests adventured with large smiles on their faces as we felt the presence of wild Alaska.