Today, National Geographic Sea Lion was en route to the Inian Islands in the morning. In the Icy Strait, we searched for wildlife along the way. We came across humpback whales. We anchored and put our Zodiacs in the water to explore. Anchored at Cross Sound, the Inian Islands sit at the confluence of Cross Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Taking a tour of the islands, we discovered abundant life at this intersection. In the evening, we visited the Tideline Institute. Zack Brown, the founder, gave a tour alongside a bonfire.
5/1/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Port Althorp
National Geographic Sea Lion traveled through Icy Strait heading for Cross Sound, the largest opening to the North Pacific. Our ship maneuvered her way into Port Althorp, a deep bay where our morning would be spent kayaking and hiking. The weather forecast brought a typical Alaska day of rain and mixed winds. Port Althorp was protected from the high winds, and we had a chance to walk along a seriously low tide beach, past perennial bear footprints. Brown bears are creatures of habit, and they will create a set of footprints that they will walk in for generations. After lunch and the repositioning of our ship, we donned serious rain gear for Zodiac rides in the Inian Islands. We were lucky to be on an incoming tide, which brings many animals to feed on the rich nutrients brought to the surface by intense upwelling. Bald eagles decorated the trees…waiting, watching, and catching a meal once it floated to the surface. Steller sea lions and sea otters entertained us all as we continued our exploration.
