Inian Islands, 9/12/2024, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Alaska
Our first day aboard National Geographic Sea Lion began with a cruise north through the Chatham Strait. Along the way, we spotted humpback whales scattered along the coastline, indulging in their final meals of the season. By midday, we reached our destination, the Inian Islands—renowned for their rich abundance of food and diverse wildlife. We explored the area by Zodiac, taking in the dramatic coastal views and searching for wildlife.
Growing up along the coastal environment of San Diego, Shannon started her first volunteer job at a local nature center at the age of six. Since then, she has built her personal life and professional career around connecting with nature. She received...
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What a beautiful way to spend the last day of this remarkable journey from Sitka to Vancouver. We awoke to the glassy, calm waters of Desolation Sound, part of British Columbia’s beautiful fjord system, for hikes, kayaking, and Zodiac cruises. The afternoon was spent frantically packing since we have really settled into our life on board over the last 15 days!
The morning aboard National Geographic Sea Lion brought serene cruising through the islands off Alert Bay. We were privileged to encounter local cetaceans and spend our afternoon deepening our cultural connections. A heartfelt thank you to the U’Mista Museum and Cultural Centre, wood carver Wayne Alfred, and the T’sasala Cultural Group for enriching our expedition with their art and heritage.
We awoke this morning in the calm protected waters of the Inside Passage in British Columbia. These narrow passages are protected by the numerous islands buttressing the wild coastline; we quietly passed through the misty temperate rainforest on these rich marine channels as the eagles, gulls, shorebirds, and waterfowl barely acknowledged our intrusion. Our morning aboard, however, was busy with a variety of activities and presentations, interspersed with time to soak in the mysterious misty landscape. In the afternoon we had tours in our expedition landing craft through the Jackson Narrows Marine Reserve, where small streams poured out of the dark, green forest. Cedars, hemlocks, spruces and alders overhung the banks, the lush verdant growth starkly clinging in a thin organic layer to the exposed gray granodiorite rocks. The presence of numerous bald eagles and glaucous-winged gulls gave away the presence of spawning salmon in the narrow creek mouths. The brown-stained waters emphasized the intimate connection of the forest and the marine landscape surrounding us.
