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!
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.
