National Geographic Sea Bird anchored in Fern Harbor on the southern boundary of Glacier Bay National Park. With a glowing weather report, guests were given opportunities to do a bushwack hike, nature hike, or Zodiac tours along the coastline of this beautiful part of Southeast Alaska. After lunch, the ship sailed to the Inian Islands, tucked into the mouth of Cross Sound, where the Gulf of Alaska meets the Inside Passage. This is a rugged and wild region where the raw ocean currents meet deep and productive channels. This creates an upwelling that draws nutrient-rich cold water into a feeding frenzy for Steller sea lions, sea otters, killer and humpback whales, and hundreds of bald eagles – all feeding on bait fish and invertebrates. Guests enjoyed Zodiac tours around the islands to view, hear, and smell the sea lion haul outs and feeding rookeries. After a full day in Southeast Alaska, guests returned to the ship for cocktails and recap, followed by dinner and an evening presentation on bird migration by Certified Photo Instructor and Naturalist Brady Clarke.
6/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Endicott Arm
Today, we embarked on a voyage through the breathtaking Endicott Arm, a 30-mile fjord carved by ancient glaciers. As our vessel glided through the jade-green waters, towering granite cliffs rose on either side, with cascading waterfalls fed by melting snowfields. The fjord's serene beauty was punctuated by the occasional splash of harbor seals diving from ice bergs and the distant sight of mountain goats navigating the rugged terrain. Approaching the terminus of the fjord, the awe-inspiring Dawes Glacier came into view. Standing over 500 feet tall and half a mile wide, its icy facade shimmered in hues of blue and white. We boarded Zodiacs to get a closer look, maneuvering through a maze of icebergs, each uniquely sculpted by nature. Suddenly, a thunderous crack echoed as a massive chunk of ice calved from the glacier, crashing into the water below and sending ripples across the fjord—a humbling reminder of nature's power. The journey through Endicott Arm was more than a scenic cruise, it was an intimate encounter with the raw, dynamic forces that shape Alaska's wilderness. The memories of shimmering glaciers, playful seals, and towering cliffs will linger, a testament to the allure of this pristine frontier.
