Inian Islands and Port Althorp, 7/19/2023, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Alaska
Today’s voyage began at the Inian Islands, where we had some great Zodiac cruises in the rain. Incredible wildlife filled the whole area, including sea lions and whales! We repositioned to Port Althorp for hikes and kayaking in the afternoon.
Nathan Kelley developed his love for nature as a kid at his family’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Family fishing trips, camping, hiking and a trip to his first National Park in the Everglades, all vigorously shaped his passion for the natural world. ...
A nice morning that only got better and prettier and sunnier! Truly a gift to bring guests here to witness the scale and diversity of ice and wildlife. South Marble Island had so many tufted puffins, and a few unexpected horned puffins, with sea lions and humpback whales galore. During lunch, we cruised up towards Margerie Glacier to view the impressive glacier and look for Arctic terns. Afterwards, we went past Gloomy Knob and saw mountain goats, looked for wildlife at Russel Cut (saw an osprey!), and ended the day with a stunning colorful sunset with an abundance of whales!
In the morning, guests aboard National Geographic Venture embarked on incredible Zodiac cruises throughout the Inian Islands. A wildlife hotspot, guests had incredible experiences witnessing Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and even humpback whales! In the afternoon, guests went on hikes and had the opportunity to kayak around George Island, all ending with a wonderful polar plunge for the bold few brave enough to dive into the water.
Hiking into an Alaskan rainforest is a journey into a world lush with greenery. We spent the morning underway in search of wildlife. After some of the mandatory briefings, our diligence paid off and we managed to find a large coastal brown bear. Binoculars and cameras in hand, we shared space with this charming creature for a time, soaking in such a fortunate experience. In the afternoon, we hiked through the old logging roads of Rodman Bay. Ferns unfurled alongside sparse old growth trees, lining the trail and captivating our attention. Getting our boots on the ground was a refreshing end to the day before coming back aboard for our first recap.