We woke at the entrance to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, the clouds were low, and the sea otters were numerous. The National Geographic Venture sailed north into a wall of fog. As we took in the shrouded mountains, our first stop was South Marble Island, a wildlife hotspot at the southern end of the bay. We were escorted by nearly 20 tufted puffins to a Steller sea lion haul-out. The sights, sounds, and smells were incredible.
Continuing up the Bay we tucked into Russell Cut where we were delighted to find a very rare sight—three black wolves! This was such a special treat and we felt honored.
In the early afternoon, we found ourselves rounding Jaw Point and truly our jaws dropped at the sight of Johns Hopkins Glacier! The two-mile-wide tidewater glacier was an awe-inspiring experience as we took in the beauty and immensity of the place. Sitting in front of the glacier we found ourselves surrounded by icebergs covered in hauled-out harbor seals and kittiwakes flying to and from their nearby colony.
As we made our way back south in the evening light, we spotted many mountain goats on Gloomy Knob. The mountain was truly living up to its name surrounded in a misty low-lying cloud, creating a perfect day for goat spotting.
It is always an honor to sail through the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a place full of history, wildlife, geology, and immense ice.
