The day began with calm water allowing for kayaking and paddleboarding in Sitkoh Bay. Banana slugs were immensely popular with the children—and young at heart—on all the hikes. The thimbleberry bushes were in full bloom and, in a few weeks, bears will surely delight in eating them. Everyone took turns with the kayaks and hiking and then headed back to the ship for lunch. After lunch, we had a presentation and then set out for more hiking near Lake Eva in Hanus Bay. Numerous wildflowers were in bloom and the naturalists explained the rainforest ecosystem. After dinner we enjoyed an incredible sunset and spotted numerous humpback whales spouting and displaying their flukes.
6/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Endicott Arm
Today, we embarked on a voyage through the breathtaking Endicott Arm, a 30-mile fjord carved by ancient glaciers. As our vessel glided through the jade-green waters, towering granite cliffs rose on either side, with cascading waterfalls fed by melting snowfields. The fjord's serene beauty was punctuated by the occasional splash of harbor seals diving from ice bergs and the distant sight of mountain goats navigating the rugged terrain. Approaching the terminus of the fjord, the awe-inspiring Dawes Glacier came into view. Standing over 500 feet tall and half a mile wide, its icy facade shimmered in hues of blue and white. We boarded Zodiacs to get a closer look, maneuvering through a maze of icebergs, each uniquely sculpted by nature. Suddenly, a thunderous crack echoed as a massive chunk of ice calved from the glacier, crashing into the water below and sending ripples across the fjord—a humbling reminder of nature's power. The journey through Endicott Arm was more than a scenic cruise, it was an intimate encounter with the raw, dynamic forces that shape Alaska's wilderness. The memories of shimmering glaciers, playful seals, and towering cliffs will linger, a testament to the allure of this pristine frontier.
