As we made our way to our anchorage off George Island this morning, we awoke to a beautiful low mist moving in and out of the small islands of Icy Strait and Cross Sound. The open Pacific beckoned to the west, and we felt the swell of the ocean for the first time on our trip. After landing on George Island, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders took to the water as hikers and photo walkers explored the land. A short reposition during lunch landed us a mere two miles away at Hobbit Hole. We were ready to explore the Inian Islands on Zodiac cruises. Sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and other types of wildlife were waiting for us on the rocky shores and in the churning waters. It was a lovely day to explore the northernmost entrance to the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska!
6/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Endicott Arm
Today, we embarked on a voyage through the breathtaking Endicott Arm, a 30-mile fjord carved by ancient glaciers. As our vessel glided through the jade-green waters, towering granite cliffs rose on either side, with cascading waterfalls fed by melting snowfields. The fjord's serene beauty was punctuated by the occasional splash of harbor seals diving from ice bergs and the distant sight of mountain goats navigating the rugged terrain. Approaching the terminus of the fjord, the awe-inspiring Dawes Glacier came into view. Standing over 500 feet tall and half a mile wide, its icy facade shimmered in hues of blue and white. We boarded Zodiacs to get a closer look, maneuvering through a maze of icebergs, each uniquely sculpted by nature. Suddenly, a thunderous crack echoed as a massive chunk of ice calved from the glacier, crashing into the water below and sending ripples across the fjord—a humbling reminder of nature's power. The journey through Endicott Arm was more than a scenic cruise, it was an intimate encounter with the raw, dynamic forces that shape Alaska's wilderness. The memories of shimmering glaciers, playful seals, and towering cliffs will linger, a testament to the allure of this pristine frontier.
