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.
9/5/2024
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
It was hard to beat the final day of this voyage. On a misty morning in Tracy Arm Fjord, we were met with beautiful green waters and cascading falls down gorgeous mountain faces. We made our way up the winding fjord looking for wildlife and enjoyed the incredible scenery. In the morning, we headed out on Zodiac tours, viewing gorgeous turquoise icebergs and watching the face of South Sawyer Glacier. While appreciating harbor seals in the area, we learned about the natural history of the landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to even see the glacier calve. A splash and hearing the thunderous sound of the ice separating from the glacier face was extremely exciting! After a wonderful Zodiac trip, we cruised on the ship towards South Sawyer Glacier for our polar plunge. The ocean water is cold in Alaska, and even chillier when next to a glacier! However, we had some brave guests that wanted to take their plunge into the Alaskan waters. It was a wonderful experience cheering each other on and seeing others dive into the water. After the plunge, we visited a beautiful waterfall called “hole in the wall”. Guests were able to get close, getting covered in the mist of the waterfall. It was definitely a highlight of the trip. Overall, it was an exceptional day.