After a very long year, many months of planning, and hours of travel, we finally arrived to our home for the next week-the National Geographic Venture! We had our very first taste of Southeast Alaska today as we explored Saook Bay. The sky was moody, the air brisk, and we quickly felt dwarfed by this vast wilderness area.
Shaylyn’s deep-rooted connection with the outdoors began early in life amid the beauty of small-town Oregon. From her childhood spent camping under the stars to the countless hours collecting insects and exploring streams, her formative years ignited...
Guests greeted the day from the bow of National Geographic Sea Lion , photographing the dramatic mist adorning the steep fjord walls of Endicott Arm. We set out in kayaks from the ship to explore the waterfalls of Dawes Cove. After a warm lunch on board, we headed out and about again, this time via Zodiacs. We cruised among icebergs to view the spectacular Dawes Glacier. Our final night on board included a viewing of the guest slideshow, making us smile, laugh, and reflect on all we’ve experienced together this week!
Immediately upon National Geographic Sea Lion’s arrival in Haines, the low clouds began to lift, and a bald eagle landed on the pilings next to the ship…a welcome sign of things to come. Our morning activities included hiking to the summit of Mount Riley, walking along the beach at Battery Point, cycling along the coastal roads, and fly fishing for Dolly Varden. The afternoon offered many of the same activities and time to explore town, where many guests decided to visit the recently opened cafe at the top of the dock for local Alaskan flavors. Speaking of Alaskan flavors…we now await the evening’s crab feast with great anticipation!
We had an amazing day today exploring the Inian Islands and Fox Creek. In the morning, guests left National Geographic Sea Lion to explore the Inian Islands on Zodiacs. This location is known for its currents and the upwelling that happens here. Nutrients rise to the surface, producing a great opportunity to witness the feeding behavior of bald eagles, Steller sea lions, sea otters, gulls, and other marine mammals. After a delicious lunch, guests chose from two exploratory opportunities at Fox Creek. One of the options was a moderate hike with our naturalists interpreting along the way. The second option was an intertidal walk with naturalists, enjoying a bit of tidepool exploration. We concluded this amazing day back onboard listening to the recap, having a wonderful dinner, and planning for another great day tomorrow with our visit to Haines.
