Guests awoke to a sparkling, calm morning in Endicott Arm. The water was like glass, reflecting the thousand-foot-plus walls of the fjord. Using small boats, we cruised the last four miles to the glacier. Sitting a half-mile away, we gazed at the blue ice, perking up at the cannon-shot sounds of calving and the fifty-foot splashes made by the falling ice. Harbor seals were scattered on the ice, now in their sensitive molting stage. This year’s seal pups are almost full grown and difficult to distinguish from their mothers at a distance. After lunch we cruised, scanning the shores for wildlife, enjoying the beauty of the thick green forest.
5/7/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Inian Islands, Port Althorp
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.