We approached the small town of Haines and the Chilkat Peninsula in beautiful early morning light. The sun poked through the fog and lit up the tops of the mountains with a warm glow to welcome us to our home base for the day’s adventures. Throughout the sunny day, guests were busy with activities on land, on water, and in the air. From hiking to biking to fly fishing to flightseeing, everyone got to enjoy a taste of the incredible landscapes of Southeast Alaska. Visitors to the Klukwan Village learned about the local Chilkat Tlingit clan, their profound history, and stories of this area. We finished the day with a delicious crab feast and a colorful sunset. Thank you for a wonderful day, Haines!
7/22/2024
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Sitka Sound
Early risers aboard National Geographic Sea Lion were treated to a stellar show of humpback whales this morning as we made our way south down the mountain-studded coast of Baranof Island. The long, lazy swell that lulled us to sleep overnight contrasted spectacularly with the fast breaches, tail slaps, and fluking displays that surrounded us as we rounded Cape Edgecumbe and entered Sitka Sound. Sea otters and fishing boats galore greeted us as we slipped into the calm waters of the sound, bound for Magoun Islands State Marine Park for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and hiking. The hikers found ample evidence of recent bear presence in the form of fresh scat and tracks, but no bears were to be found. Most of us were quite relieved not to surprise a bear! The Zodiac cruisers were treated to gorgeous intertidal habitats littered with mussels, barnacles, sea stars, and clams. After warming up a bit at lunch, a record thirty-one brave souls jumped into the frigid waters for our polar plunge! As we arrived in Sitka this evening, we admired the snow-capped mountain tops normally shrouded in mist. Steller sea lions cavorting around the dock served as reminders of our adventures.