Inian Islands, 6/3/2024, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Alaska
Today we anchored near the Inian Islands, a spectacular location where the Pacific Ocean meets the Inside Passage. This destination is known for its nutrient-rich water and therefore, is an excellent place to see wildlife, like Steller sea lions, sea otters, and sea birds.
We spent the morning exploring the Inian Islands by Zodiac. In the afternoon, we repositioned NationalGeographic Sea Bird near George Island to continue our adventure with nature hikes, Zodiac tours, and kayaking before ending the day with recaps during cocktail hour.
Born in Argentina and raised in Ohio, Leonardo developed a passion for travel and exploration at an early age. While studying for his M.A at The Ohio State University in Spanish Literature and Culture, Leonardo traveled to Spain and Mexico to visuall...
The Inian Islands invoke sheer joy and excitement among the naturalists, which in turn, is transferred to the guests. We set out in Zodiacs, traversing in nearly unprecedented calm conditions through the narrow Mosquito Pass, then around North Inian Island. We observed over a dozen bald eagles and sea lions waiting for the inrushing tide to bring fish to the surface for easy pickings. We also saw a couple of male sea otters peacefully lying on the surface while fluffing up their fur to introduce air for insulation (they don’t have blubber). The weather was classic Alaska…sun grading to rain…then to partly cloudy. In the afternoon, we traveled to Port Althorp for kayaking and hikes. Again, very calm conditions with intermittent sun and rain. The hikes were beautiful, winding across the mud flats and into the thick rainforest painted with several shades of green. Bear trails were observed and used by us as convenient paths to follow. Kayakers slowly paddled across glassy water to enjoy the peace and solitude. The day ended with soft sun.
Cool blue skies greeted National Geographic Sea Lion as she docked in Haines for a day of adventure. Following an early breakfast, the first group of expeditionists departed for Mount Riley. An Alaskan guide piloted this group up the mountain where an icy peak awaited us. All the while other members of our group visited the Klukwan Cultural Center and biked along the beautiful coastline. Following lunch, I led members of our group through town on a photo walk where foraging ravens, wonderful Native art, and the quirks of small-town Alaskan life were among our subjects. Others took the afternoon to hike along the shore at Battery Point where diving buffleheads and bald eagles stole the show.
Throughout the night, National Geographic Sea Lion cruised south in Chatham Strait. Heading further south into Stephens Passage, we approached Holkham Bay and the entrance to Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, 653,179 acres of land which received the highest level of protection from Congress in 1980. Most of our day would be spent exploring the deep fjords which make up the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Zodiacs were dropped and our group was divided in half, each group taking an hour and a half traveling up the fjord to the face of Dawes Glacier. White thunder sounded from the face of the glacier, birds circled, and harbor porpoises showed their dorsal fins. Due to heavy rain, waterfalls of many sizes were everywhere. Once Zodiac rides returned to the ship, our floating home began a cruise back down Endicott Arm heading for Holkham Bay and the entrance back to Stephens Passage. A very silly brown bear, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, and more porpoises were observed throughout the afternoon and early evening. It was an amazing first day, and Southeast Alaska was enjoyed by all, with so much more to come!
