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.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 07 Jun 2024
Tracy Arm, Alaska, 6/7/2024, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Alaska
Paola Espitia, Naturalist
Paola Espitia, M.Sc. is inspiring meaningful change for a better, bluer planet. Originally from the mountains of Bogotá, Colombia, Paola’s world changed when she relocated to the United States with her family and discovered reruns of The Undersea Wo...
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Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands and Tracy Arm Fjord
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5/25/2025
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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
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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.