Overnight we traveled through Chatham Strait, and this morning we arrived at Shaw Island to explore Fox Creek. A few naturalists went ashore first to scout the bear trails for safety; we were then ready to welcome our guests on the island. We divided into three large groups to explore this majestic old-growth forest. Along the way our naturalists explained the intricate relationships of this diverse environment, a “web of life” as one called it. In the afternoon, we cruised near the Inian Islands looking for marine mammals. It didn’t take long before we saw humpback whales demonstrating feeding behavior. It was another wonderful day in Southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Sea Lion.
5/3/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area
National Geographic Sea Lion cruised throughout the night, heading south through Lynn Canal and making her way towards Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area. Early in the morning, we were on approach to Holkham Bay, where we “crossed the bar,” which consists of glacial outwash at the entrance to an extensive fjord system. This wilderness area was established by Congress in 1980, and 653,179 acres of land fall under federal wilderness protection. This fjord system is made up of two arms approximately thirty miles in length. Our goal was Endicott Arm, where we would spend the entire day. During the last ice age, thousands of feet of ice covered this entire area. When the retreat of ice began, these fjords were carved by that ice. This allowed sea water to enter, offering excellent cruising for many ships. National Geographic Sea Lion spent the day cruising and dropping in many of our kayaks and Zodiacs, so all had a chance to paddle and/or cruise this picturesque waterway.
