After receiving safety briefings, we arrived in Sitkoh Bay for a great introduction to our Wild Alaska trip. Hopping into the Zodiacs we got ashore to split up into a variety of groups for our hikes along the shore of Sitkoh Bay. What a wildlife extravaganza awaited us with the beauty of the forest and meadow at the end of the bay. In the afternoon we cruised Chatham Bay and encountered both bubble-net feeding humpback whales and a coastal brown bear foraging along the shoreline.
5/7/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Inian Islands, Port Althorp
The Inian Islands invoke sheer joy and excitement among the naturalists, which in turn, is transferred to the guests. We set out in Zodiacs, traversing in nearly unprecedented calm conditions through the narrow Mosquito Pass, then around North Inian Island. We observed over a dozen bald eagles and sea lions waiting for the inrushing tide to bring fish to the surface for easy pickings. We also saw a couple of male sea otters peacefully lying on the surface while fluffing up their fur to introduce air for insulation (they don’t have blubber). The weather was classic Alaska…sun grading to rain…then to partly cloudy. In the afternoon, we traveled to Port Althorp for kayaking and hikes. Again, very calm conditions with intermittent sun and rain. The hikes were beautiful, winding across the mud flats and into the thick rainforest painted with several shades of green. Bear trails were observed and used by us as convenient paths to follow. Kayakers slowly paddled across glassy water to enjoy the peace and solitude. The day ended with soft sun.
