Glacier Bay National Park…words that, I believe, should be spoken with reverence. As a national park, this area belongs to all Americans. As a World Heritage Site, this park belongs to all global citizens of Earth and yet, it belongs to no one at all. Designated wilderness further elevates the sanctity of the wild places in this bay. Today we will see hundreds of miles of coastline, but never will we see a permanent human structure; no villages, no cabins, no old canneries or docks. Yet tens of thousands of visitors may journey to the very heart of this park every year, primarily on ships, boats, and kayaks. That is the magic of this place, to enchant our senses, lift our hearts, and heal our souls with simply the vision of these tidal waters brimming with mountains, ice, wildlife, and wildness. Nature and wilderness have always been there for us when we need it most.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 21 May 2025
Glacier Bay National Park, 5/21/2025, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Alaska
Sarah Keefer, Naturalist
Sarah’s fondest memories of nature are experiences she’s shared with friends—especially when those experiences involve spotting wildlife from the bow of a ship! She’s captivated by the wonders of the natural world, and it was the lure of expansive wi...
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Our final day here in Southeast Alaska was filled with steep fjords, awe-inspiring glaciers, fierce polar plungers, a number of humpbacks, and a beautiful sunset. As we spent the last day in Zodiacs, driving and adrift amongst the ice in front of Dawes Glacier, we were reminded of how tiny we are on this blue rock that abounds with natural beauty and ecological wonders. As the harbor seals swam by, we celebrated the journey with our shipmates, some partaking in a polar plunge. Then we turned off into the sunset surrounded by the sounds of humpback exhalations. Alaska has been a wonder, and we have been thoughtful visitors in a place fragile yet vast.