Southeast Alaska - Grindall Island and Hump Island, 8/2/2021, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Alaska
The Inside Passage is rich, not just in picturesque islands and seascapes, but in life itself. Positively teeming with marine mammals, fish and upwelling nutrients from the Gulf of Alaska, this stretch of coastline is a veritable cornucopia.
One steady constant in Ian’s life has been the ocean. Born by the rocky shores of mid-coast Maine, his family repatriated to far north Queensland in Australia early on in his life where he became a dual-citizen and sparked his passion for exploring n...
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Good morning from Southeast Alaska! Today is the last full day of our journey and it began perfectly. We woke up en route to Dawes Glacier. Once our bridge team found the perfect spot, Zodiacs were lowered, and adventure began! All our guests were taken by Zodiac to Dawes Glacier; as we approached, we stopped at waterfalls and icebergs to glaze upon their glory. After lunch, we were keen to find some whales, and we did! While searching Stephens Passage, we came upon no less than 50 Humpback whales, all spread out in little groups. Some solo, some a mom and calf. Most were resting, logging at the surface. One excited calf breached for us about 15 times. What a spectacular way to end a magnificent trip.
An authentic Alaskan experience includes rain; today, we had an authentic experience for twenty-four hours straight. Our morning hikes took us through a stunning temperate rainforest, made possible by the liquid sunshine that characterizes this region. Everything dripped, and waterfalls increased in volume by the hour. The afternoon included a watercolor session led by Kimberly Wood, and a presentation on whales by Erica Wirth. Five intrepid guests signed up for a Zodiac tour in the continuous downpour, and their bravery was rewarded — they saw at least fifteen bald eagles, nosed up a creek, waved to curious harbor seals, and viewed National Geographic Sea Lion amidst literal mist. Rain creates this place, and today we soaked up that reality.
Today guests enjoyed an awesome day in the town of Wrangell. Groups split up for different activities including hiking Mount Dewey, e-biking, visiting Chief Shakes for a cultural experience, exploring petroglyph beach, and visiting the bears at Anan. The group who went to Anan also saw killer whales along the way, and a mink eating salmon. They wrapped up the day with recaps, dinner, and a geological presentation.
