Southeast Alaska changed its usual rainy tune today and put on its Sunday best, with blue skies and blue ice all around us. After a spectacular morning meandering into Tracy Arm, we piled into Zodiacs to get a closer look at the towering cliffs, sculptured icebergs, and even a local bear fresh from hibernation, hiding high in the shrubbery and enjoying a springtime snack.
Being lucky enough to have two homes—Australia and the U.S.A.—has given Tanish (who goes by Tani) a deep love for diversity among ecosystems and cultures and a desire to learn about them.
On the last full day of our voyage, we woke in Endicott Arm near the Dawes Glacier. We spent the morning enjoying Zodiac tours to the face of Dawes Glacier and watched multiple calving events. We were also able to spot several harbor seals, waterfalls, and a couple harbor porpoises on the way. After lunch we had the opportunity to participate in a polar plunge. Forty people decided to brave the frigid water for a short swim. Those of us not eager to jump into glacier water were able to watch from the bow. After the polar plunge, we warmed up on board as we started transiting towards Juneau. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall to once again admire the amazing natural beauty of Alaska. During our farewell recap, we were treated to a quick visit by a humpback whale. We ended our day with a slideshow made up of our favorite photos and memories of an amazing week on board National Geographic Quest .
Under radiant blue skies and with the stunning backdrop of the Coast Mountains, guests aboard National Geographic Quest enjoyed a spectacular day in Petersburg, Alaska. Known as “the town that fish built,” Petersburg welcomed the ship with warmth and charm. Guests explored by Zodiac through the bustling marina, biked scenic roads around Mitkof Island, and joined local guides for immersive hikes highlighting native traditions and deep connections to the land and wildlife. A particularly intrepid group of 17 guests tackled the challenging seven-hour hike up (and then back down) Petersburg Mountain, rewarded with sweeping views and a sense of triumph. The day ended in true Alaskan style, with a lively crab feast on board. Crew members served up the local delicacy while proudly donning t-shirts featuring the whimsical marine art of Southeast Alaska’s own Ray Troll. It was a day of sunshine, sweat, stories, and seafood—an unforgettable chapter in their Inside Passage adventure.
National Geographic Quest visited the low-lying limestone landscape of northwestern Kuiu Island today. Our morning at Halleck Harbor provided a mix of familiar and new. Hikers encountered several “new-to-us” forest understory plants associated with the bedrock’s regionally unique chemistry. Farther-ranging, bushwhack-style hikes glimpsed signs of beaver. Kayakers enjoyed launching from an even, soft gravel beach to share a calm bay with sea otters and abundant intertidal life. A few fortunate paddlers spotted a black bear on the beach. The afternoon brought exploration via Zodiac of the maze of long, narrow, glacially-gouged Keku Islands. Bald eagles and marbled murrelets abounded, while sea lions and black oystercatchers made occasional appearances. Moss and wildflowers provided lovely hanging garden grottos on limestone walls towering over narrow channels. Glassy waters reflected a mix of sun and passing rain showers. Rainbows and humpback whales highlighted a gorgeous evening of cruising Frederick Sound.
