The first evening and full day of our voyage were full of learning, adventure, and exploration. We began with time on the bow to watch for wildlife, and we discovered our first coastal brown bear just before sunset. Our morning viewings revealed many birds and misty scenery all around. After breakfast and safety briefings, our photo instructor presented tips for photographing with smartphones and photography overall. Immediately after, we were treated to a humpback whale not far from the ship. After a delicious lunch, we made a wet landing on shore near Lake Eva, where we spent the afternoon kayaking and hiking in the rainforest. A fun start to our trip!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 16 Jul 2023
Peril Strait, Hanus Bay, Lake Eva, 7/16/2023, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Alaska
Bryan Holliday, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Bryan comes from Illinois, where he was visited by an American Robin at the age of four. This remarkable encounter began his lifelong interest in birds, which led him to study at the University of Illinois, where he earned his B.S. in Ecology and as...
Read MoreShare Report
Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands and Tracy Arm Fjord
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/25/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Haines, Alaska
Immediately upon National Geographic Sea Lion’s arrival in Haines, the low clouds began to lift, and a bald eagle landed on the pilings next to the ship…a welcome sign of things to come. Our morning activities included hiking to the summit of Mount Riley, walking along the beach at Battery Point, cycling along the coastal roads, and fly fishing for Dolly Varden. The afternoon offered many of the same activities and time to explore town, where many guests decided to visit the recently opened cafe at the top of the dock for local Alaskan flavors. Speaking of Alaskan flavors…we now await the evening’s crab feast with great anticipation!
5/24/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Inian Islands and Fox Creek
We had an amazing day today exploring the Inian Islands and Fox Creek. In the morning, guests left National Geographic Sea Lion to explore the Inian Islands on Zodiacs. This location is known for its currents and the upwelling that happens here. Nutrients rise to the surface, producing a great opportunity to witness the feeding behavior of bald eagles, Steller sea lions, sea otters, gulls, and other marine mammals. After a delicious lunch, guests chose from two exploratory opportunities at Fox Creek. One of the options was a moderate hike with our naturalists interpreting along the way. The second option was an intertidal walk with naturalists, enjoying a bit of tidepool exploration. We concluded this amazing day back onboard listening to the recap, having a wonderful dinner, and planning for another great day tomorrow with our visit to Haines.