We woke up to a beautiful Southeast Alaska morning, making our way through the fog as the temperate forest emerged in the distance. In the morning, we began our day of expedition cruising in full force. Kayakers and paddleboarders made their way over kelp forests, admiring the granite coves and arches. Meanwhile, hikers explored the trails of George Island. This beautiful island that not only offers an excellent nature experience in the temperate rainforest but is also a former military station where you can still find a WWII-era 6-inch 50-caliber emplacement for the anticipatory defense from Japanese troops.
After our time on shore, we picked up the anchor and moved a short distance over to the Inian Islands – a favorite among many. The Inians are a particularly productive are of the Inside Passage, where strong currents bring nutrient-rich water and feed the food web, from photosynthetic plankton, to krill, to fish, and the marine mammals and seabirds that consume them. Steller sea lions stole the show, with their boisterous displays and acrobatic antics. As we cruised through, we were surrounded by various seabirds, including Pigeon guillemots and cormorants, and managed to find a few sea otters wrapping themselves up in kelp and floating on their backs. Our already spectacular day was capped off by a pod of killer whales that came by for a dinnertime visit. Another expedition-worthy day in Southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Venture.
