Our day started much earlier than normal with a 1:00 a.m. wakeup call for the northern lights. Many of us donned jackets and hats and walked out on deck to see the incredible dancing green lights in the sky. Our second wakeup call came later in the morning and welcomed us to the Inian Islands, a small collection of islands at the western edge of the northern entrance to the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. We anchored in the protected waters of an area known as the Hobbit Hole and took off in our Zodiacs to explore the very active waters of the northern islands during an incoming tide. Steller sea lions, sea otters, and bald eagles were found in abundance today as the early morning sun filtered through the fog, making for quite a magical experience. Back on National Geographic Sea Bird, we spent the afternoon exploring the waters of Icy Strait and looking for humpback whales. We were incredibly fortunate to spend time with a large group of whales near Point Adolphus. Harbor porpoises moved in and out of the waters and we even got to watch a humpback whale calf play with a Steller sea lion – each splashing the other and swimming in circles. After parting ways with the whales, we started making our way north into Lynn Canal for our transit to Haines. We’re in awe of all the wonderful wildlife we saw today and can’t wait for tomorrow!
7/22/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Sitka Sound
Early risers aboard National Geographic Sea Lion were treated to a stellar show of humpback whales this morning as we made our way south down the mountain-studded coast of Baranof Island. The long, lazy swell that lulled us to sleep overnight contrasted spectacularly with the fast breaches, tail slaps, and fluking displays that surrounded us as we rounded Cape Edgecumbe and entered Sitka Sound. Sea otters and fishing boats galore greeted us as we slipped into the calm waters of the sound, bound for Magoun Islands State Marine Park for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and hiking. The hikers found ample evidence of recent bear presence in the form of fresh scat and tracks, but no bears were to be found. Most of us were quite relieved not to surprise a bear! The Zodiac cruisers were treated to gorgeous intertidal habitats littered with mussels, barnacles, sea stars, and clams. After warming up a bit at lunch, a record thirty-one brave souls jumped into the frigid waters for our polar plunge! As we arrived in Sitka this evening, we admired the snow-capped mountain tops normally shrouded in mist. Steller sea lions cavorting around the dock served as reminders of our adventures.