All around us this morning were glaciers, icebergs, and blue and clear ice as we cruised around on our Zodiacs in LeConte Bay. The ice formations fascinated us, and when one of the crystal towers plummeted into the water, the boom and splash created an enormous wave, making our entire Zodiac jump. The ice had many color variations, creating a spectacular display formed by different amounts of debris remaining within the iceberg. There were marbled murrelets (brachyramphus marmoratus) in the water, and, being very skittish, they dove into the ocean. This entire ecosystem is formed by a receding glacier which has made it unique and, although harsh, stunningly beautiful. As beautiful as it is, this environment is vulnerable to climate change, so all those who visit should conserve to protect this for future generations.
6/14/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Southeast Alaska
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 .