Waking up to whales in the distance is always a great start to a day onboard National Geographic Quest. Bundled up on the bow, we enjoyed watching two humpback whales apparently having their breakfast before retreating indoors for our own nutritious meal to prepare for a day of exploring Sitkoh Bay. As we dropped anchor, the down jackets were swapped for lighter layers and we anxiously awaited the opportunity to hike and kayak in the rare Southeast Alaskan sunshine. From bear scat to banana slugs to Dungeness crabs taking cover in the intertidal, we discovered many of the little things that make Southeast Alaska the wild, interconnected landscape that surpasses any expectations and never disappoints!
6/14/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Southeast Alaska
On the last full day of our voyage, we woke in Endicott Arm near the Dawes Glacier. We spent the morning enjoying Zodiac tours to the face of Dawes Glacier and watched multiple calving events. We were also able to spot several harbor seals, waterfalls, and a couple harbor porpoises on the way. After lunch we had the opportunity to participate in a polar plunge. Forty people decided to brave the frigid water for a short swim. Those of us not eager to jump into glacier water were able to watch from the bow. After the polar plunge, we warmed up on board as we started transiting towards Juneau. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall to once again admire the amazing natural beauty of Alaska. During our farewell recap, we were treated to a quick visit by a humpback whale. We ended our day with a slideshow made up of our favorite photos and memories of an amazing week on board National Geographic Quest .