To begin our Alaskan journey, we explored the secluded fjords and glaciers of Tracy Arm and Fords Terror Wilderness. Later in the week we will search for wildlife in remote places like Glacier Bay National Park and the Tongass National Forest. So today’s adventures in the small fishing village of Petersburg, Alaska were a unique opportunity to experience the rich culture of the region. The town is populated almost entirely by fishermen who make their living off the salmon and halibut that fill the waters, and everything is centered around the fishing industry because of it. Guests explored the many varieties of fishing vessels lining the docks, photographed the unique details of the buildings and the fishermen returning with their daily catch, and even hiked various trails around the town. Together, these activities gave us an idea of how the people of Southeast Alaska are able to thrive off the land and waters of the wilderness we have been exploring.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 06 Aug 2019
Tracy Arm – Fords Terror & Petersburg , 8/6/2019, National Geographic Venture
- Aboard the National Geographic Venture
- Alaska
Alex Krowiak, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
A childhood surrounded by the woods and streams of Pennsylvania initially sparked Alex’s curiosity about nature. That curiosity eventually led him to pursue degrees in biology and environmental studies at Boston College. During his time there he cond...
Read MoreShare Report
Alaska's Inside Passage
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/14/2025
Read
National Geographic Venture
Cascade Creek and Ruth Island
Today offered no shortage of hiking adventures through the lush forests of Southeast Alaska. Guests aboard National Geographic Venture enjoyed a variety of hikes at Cascade Creek, including long, moderate, and photo-specific options. Cascade Creek is known for its beautiful waterfalls, and hikers adventurous enough to climb steep rocks using rope handles were rewarded with a sighting of a rough-skinned newt, an uncommon species of salamander. In the afternoon, guests explored Ruth Island, located just across the bay from Cascade Creek. Some hikers experienced their first bushwhack, making their way through thick shrubs, thorny devil’s club, and muddy bogs. Others wandered slowly through the forest, captivated by the many species of lichens, mosses, and plants along the way.
5/13/2025
Read
National Geographic Venture
Basket Bay
A day of Zodiac cruising in Basket Bay on Chichagof Island brought wild beauty and unforgettable encounters. As the morning mist thinned, we traced the rugged shoreline beneath towering forested cliffs, where ochre sea stars clung to rocks and dense clusters of blue mussels covered the intertidal zone like armor. Bald eagles circled overhead, and a river otter slipped along the kelp-strewn shore. Not long into our cruise, a humpback whale surfaced nearby, vanishing as suddenly as it appeared. Then, the real show began. A pod of five orcas emerged from the north, cutting through the water with smooth, deliberate power. Their tall dorsal fins knifed the surface in silence as we viewed them from a respectful distance, the pod weaving in and out of view among the swells. Onshore, waterfalls thundered from the cliffs, swollen with rain, sending spray across the rocks. The air smelled of salt and cedar. We lingered near one cascade, engines low, taking in the raw energy of water meeting sea. By the time we turned back toward the anchorage, the sky had turned dark and williwaws descended upon us. We were all smiles as memories of our special orca encounter shone brightly.