Today was the third full day of our expedition in Southeast Alaska. National Geographic Sea Bird anchored in Ideal Cove, and guests and naturalists loaded the Zodiacs for a morning ashore exploring the Tongass National Forest. After lunch on the ship, our search for wildlife began in Stephen’s Strait as we cruised through calm waters. The weather was cool and the clouds were low — a beautiful way to explore a true Southeast Alaska day.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 30 Jul 2023
Ideal Cove, 7/30/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Alaska
Jason Blair, Naturalist
Even before earning a Bachelor of Science in both Geography and Environmental Studies from Aquinas College, Jason had a love for everything wild. Having grown up on the west coast of Michigan with its extensive forests, sand dunes, glaciated landscap...
Read MoreShare Report
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell and Misty Fjords
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/21/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Wrangell, Alaska
We arrived early to the town of Wrangell, excited to get the activities underway for our morning ashore. The excursion options included a jet boat tour up the Stikine River, a visit to the Shake’s house (traditional Long House), and investigating petroglyphs on a local beach. We returned to National Geographic Sea Bird for a delicious lunch and then went out for the afternoon activities. The options included a visit to the town museum and a hike up Mt. Dewey. We had lovely weather for our wonderful day of exploring.
5/20/2025
Read
National Geographic Sea Bird
Cascade Creek/Ruth Island Petersburg, Alaska
The misty Alaska landscape was no stranger to us this morning as we woke to anchor in Thomas Bay. Our expedition today took us on tours around more of the Tongass National Forests’ splendor. We embarked on trails to see the falls of Cascade Creek, which were immensely powerful, casting misty spray across the forest of Western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Everything in the forest was incredibly dense, with life in all areas of the over and understory. In the afternoon, we explored Ruth Island, this time bushwacking along a tributary to make our way up to a beaver-dammed pond. The sight was fantastical, set among the forest with reed grass, toads, passerines, and even dense clumps of sundew. Guests adventured with large smiles on their faces as we felt the presence of wild Alaska.