After a stretch of incredibly good weather, we woke this morning to typical Southeast Alaska weather with overcast skies and cool temperatures. This is what makes this place so special and allows the conditions of these spectacular temperate rainforests. Today’s destination was Thomas Bay on the mainland but not before transiting the Wrangell Narrows between Kupreanof and Mitkof Islands. This shallow, winding waterway has about 60 lights and marker poles used by ships to safely navigate the strong currents that often run in both directions each day. Today’s passage was very scenic with lots of bald eagles and glassy waters. In Thomas Bay, we disembarked to enjoy a variety of hikes, including a long aerobic hike and photo and nature walks. Once back on the ship, we sailed to the back of Thomas Bay and were treated to drinks on the bow by our hotel team as we entered Scenic Cove. It was another wonderful day in Southeast Alaska.
5/15/2024
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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.