Rounding off an exceptional trip, our last full day aboard National Geographic Sea Lion was filled with views of beautiful ice in Tracy Arm. To add to the wonder of Southeast Alaska, mountain goats were spotted from the ship as we cruised toward the tidewater glacier, South Sawyer. Harbor seals were scattered among the bergy bits and growlers, while we marveled at the river of ice that is a tidewater glacier. On our way back to the ship, an American bald eagle was spotted launching itself from a rocky outcropping, adding the final touches of America’s iconic beauty.
5/5/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Throughout the night, National Geographic Sea Lion cruised south in Chatham Strait. Heading further south into Stephens Passage, we approached Holkham Bay and the entrance to Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, 653,179 acres of land which received the highest level of protection from Congress in 1980. Most of our day would be spent exploring the deep fjords which make up the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Zodiacs were dropped and our group was divided in half, each group taking an hour and a half traveling up the fjord to the face of Dawes Glacier. White thunder sounded from the face of the glacier, birds circled, and harbor porpoises showed their dorsal fins. Due to heavy rain, waterfalls of many sizes were everywhere. Once Zodiac rides returned to the ship, our floating home began a cruise back down Endicott Arm heading for Holkham Bay and the entrance back to Stephens Passage. A very silly brown bear, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, and more porpoises were observed throughout the afternoon and early evening. It was an amazing first day, and Southeast Alaska was enjoyed by all, with so much more to come!
