National Geographic Sea Bird crosses the terminal moraine in Holkham Bay amidst Arctic terns early this morning. Sculpted glacial ice of various sizes, shapes, and hues thicken as we enter and proceed up Endicott Arm. We explore the last part of the arm by Zodiac to gain spectacular views of the Dawes Glacier, one of the few remaining tidewater glaciers in Southeast Alaska. We kayak away the afternoon in Seven Mile Cove, absorbing the grandeur of the surrounding landscape. It is the final feather in our caps as our trip and time together come to a close.
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.
