National Geographic Sea Bird spent the day exploring the area around Petersburg, a Norwegian fishing village. Activities included short and long walks through the muskeg, which is a bog with some unique plants including dwarf shore pine trees, the only pine tree that grows in Alaska. Three rounds of guided Zodiac tours explored the harbor and the different types of fishing boats and marine life around the docks. A bike ride was offered during the afternoon, covering 5.5 miles roundtrip through the town and along the coast with a short stop at Sandy Beach for photos. We ended the day with an all-you-can-eat crab feast!
5/15/2024
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Inian Islands, AK
The drizzling rain of the early morning cleared off for the start of our Zodiac tours through the dazzling Inian Islands. The Islands are incredibly special due to their geographic location. As the northernmost opening to the Inside Passage, tons of billions of gallons of water funnel in from the Pacific Ocean and cause an oceanic phenomenon called upwelling, where cold, nutrient dense water rises to the surface. Marine animals flock to these waters for the availability of food and resources. We were able to view sea otters, sea lions, and many bird species. The Zodiac tours had some of the most amazing views of the coastal waters, spruce covered islands, and wildlife. We ended the morning with a visit to the Tidelines Institute, a non-profit educational institute founded by Lindblad Naturalist and PhD in climate science, Zach Brown. The afternoon was filled with presentations, briefings, and our guest slideshow to end the evening during our transit up to Sitka. It was a fantastic ending to a great trip.