Our last day aboard National Geographic Sea Bird was one for the books. The morning started at Ushk Bay with kayaking and hiking along a meadow. Sea stars, sea cucumbers, and even an octopus were seen while kayaking. Meanwhile, the hikers made their way to a beaver’s dam and frolicked in flowers known as shooting stars. In the afternoon, we were headed for Emmons Island, but a couple of humpback whales stole the show, and we stopped to watch them feed. Eventually, we got to our destination for an afternoon of Zodiac cruising and a bushwhack. A mother bear and three cubs were seen by guests in a few lucky Zodiacs. As the evening came to a close, Southeast Alaska was clearly not done showing off its beauty. To end the night, Dall’s porpoises were seen “rooster-tailing” next to the ship. Peering over the bow, we observed a dozen porpoises seemingly playing among the waves as the ship made its way to Sitka.
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.