Today was an amazing day! We woke up to National Geographic Quest cruising into Tracy Arm fjord. Eager to get a glimpse of South Sawyer glacier, we all took in the sights on the bow of the ship. After breakfast, we rode Zodiacs as close as we could to the glacier. We saw arctic terns, mew gulls, marbled murrelets, harbor seals, and shooters (chunks of the glacier that break free from the bottom and shoot to the surface due to the buoyancy of the ice). Arctic terns complete the longest migration on Earth! They are amazing birds. The chilly boat ride was accompanied by hot chocolate. It was great! Then we received a great talk on photo composition by our certified photo instructor. As we were leaving Tracy Arm, we saw icebergs, waterfalls, U-shaped valleys, and North Sawyer Glacier from the ship. The Global Explorers had a chance to paint. After dinner, we enjoyed another talk, this one about kelp and its importance. What a great day!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 Jul 2023
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, 7/24/2023, National Geographic Quest
- Aboard the National Geographic Quest
- Alaska
Lauren Boye, Undersea Specialist
Lauren is a steward of the ocean and is happy as long as she is near it. She has many years of experience working on and in the ocean. SCUBA diving is her favorite hobby and fish are her best friends. She also loves spending time on boats and watchin...
Read MoreShare Report
Alaska's Inside Passage
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/27/2025
Read
National Geographic Venture
Inian Islands and George Island
In the morning, guests aboard National Geographic Venture embarked on incredible Zodiac cruises throughout the Inian Islands. A wildlife hotspot, guests had incredible experiences witnessing Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and even humpback whales! In the afternoon, guests went on hikes and had the opportunity to kayak around George Island, all ending with a wonderful polar plunge for the bold few brave enough to dive into the water.
5/26/2025
Read
National Geographic Quest
Rodman Bay, Alaska
Hiking into an Alaskan rainforest is a journey into a world lush with greenery. We spent the morning underway in search of wildlife. After some of the mandatory briefings, our diligence paid off and we managed to find a large coastal brown bear. Binoculars and cameras in hand, we shared space with this charming creature for a time, soaking in such a fortunate experience. In the afternoon, we hiked through the old logging roads of Rodman Bay. Ferns unfurled alongside sparse old growth trees, lining the trail and captivating our attention. Getting our boots on the ground was a refreshing end to the day before coming back aboard for our first recap.