National Geographic Sea Lion’s guests watched the morning sun paint the calm waters of Rodman Bay as we dropped anchor for our last day of adventures. A multitude of hikers took off from the ancient pilings on the beach. We followed an old logging road into a secondary growth forest, and then turned inland toward the river and followed it back to the ship. Our under-18 Global Explorers had the opportunity to learn to drive our Zodiacs, and then our guests lined up on the beach, ready to run into the frigid waters for a Polar Plunge. We capped off our last day watching a group of grey whales feeding just outside of Sitka during sunset. It was the perfect ending to a magical expedition.
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.
