On the final day of our voyage, guests awoke to a beaming sun and a bright blue sky. Today, we would take a Zodiac tour of the famed South Sawyer Glacier, a tidewater glacier that carved this fjord some 400 years ago. At this time of year the floating icebergs serve as birthing platforms for harbor seals, so we were careful not to spook the mothers and month-old pups into the water. As we waited in anticipation for falling ice at the face of the glacier, a gang of pirates surprised us with mugs of hot chocolate — a welcomed treat to ward off the chilly wind blowing off the glacier. After an exciting morning, guests enjoyed a relaxing paddle through the protected waters of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area. Between the perfect weather and breathtaking views, this final day of our voyage was one we won’t soon forget.
5/3/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area
National Geographic Sea Lion cruised throughout the night, heading south through Lynn Canal and making her way towards Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area. Early in the morning, we were on approach to Holkham Bay, where we “crossed the bar,” which consists of glacial outwash at the entrance to an extensive fjord system. This wilderness area was established by Congress in 1980, and 653,179 acres of land fall under federal wilderness protection. This fjord system is made up of two arms approximately thirty miles in length. Our goal was Endicott Arm, where we would spend the entire day. During the last ice age, thousands of feet of ice covered this entire area. When the retreat of ice began, these fjords were carved by that ice. This allowed sea water to enter, offering excellent cruising for many ships. National Geographic Sea Lion spent the day cruising and dropping in many of our kayaks and Zodiacs, so all had a chance to paddle and/or cruise this picturesque waterway.
