On our first morning of the much anticipated southbound journey, National Geographic Sea Lion cut furtively through the waters. The wind was low and the fog bank was thick, covering the nearby mountains in a soupy white blanket. This did not delay nor discourage our travels, but rather added to the mystique of the vast land of Alaska. Upon the water, we saw pelagic cormorants and common murres bobbing about before heading into Idaho Inlet to encounter our first humpback whales of the trip. Hugging close to the shoreline, they lunged after the abundant food that Alaska’s ecosystem provides—the very reason why they make the long journey north from their Hawaiian breeding grounds.
After a hearty lunch, we set out in our Zodiacs to search for wildlife amidst the Inian Islands archipelago. With the prodigious gardens of bull kelp acting as habitat, it was no surprise to find a bevy of sea otters in the area. Witnessing them cradle their young upon their chest is a true delight. While watching them feed on basket stars and sea urchins, spinning agilely to remove the debris from their thick fur coat, is the type of natural encounter that some spend their life wishing to have. With eagles in the trees, we continue on navigating the swell coming in from the open Pacific, and quickly our efforts were rewarded by a host of Steller sea lions. Both actively fishing in the water and hauled out upon the rocks, these magnificent creatures were on full display for our guests to enjoy. It is hard to fathom how much there is to come on this voyage, but we rest certain tonight that this day was the best of beginnings.
