Endicott Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness Area, 5/31/2017, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Alaska
Endicott Arm is a major feature of this region and is a long, deep, and narrow fjord that penetrates more than 30 miles into the heavily glaciated coastal mountain range. During the summer, when glacial activity is at a maximum, this fjord has considerable floating ice that ranges in size from a small city building to cocktail ice. Today we went out to explore in our expedition landing crafts to see wildlife, icebergs and the spectacular face of Dawes Glacier.
Stephanie is a marine mammal scientist who began her career studying finback and humpback whales from a small isolated lighthouse island off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine. This project—an effort to identify individual whales by matching dorsal fin ...
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 .
Under radiant blue skies and with the stunning backdrop of the Coast Mountains, guests aboard National Geographic Quest enjoyed a spectacular day in Petersburg, Alaska. Known as “the town that fish built,” Petersburg welcomed the ship with warmth and charm. Guests explored by Zodiac through the bustling marina, biked scenic roads around Mitkof Island, and joined local guides for immersive hikes highlighting native traditions and deep connections to the land and wildlife. A particularly intrepid group of 17 guests tackled the challenging seven-hour hike up (and then back down) Petersburg Mountain, rewarded with sweeping views and a sense of triumph. The day ended in true Alaskan style, with a lively crab feast on board. Crew members served up the local delicacy while proudly donning t-shirts featuring the whimsical marine art of Southeast Alaska’s own Ray Troll. It was a day of sunshine, sweat, stories, and seafood—an unforgettable chapter in their Inside Passage adventure.
National Geographic Quest visited the low-lying limestone landscape of northwestern Kuiu Island today. Our morning at Halleck Harbor provided a mix of familiar and new. Hikers encountered several “new-to-us” forest understory plants associated with the bedrock’s regionally unique chemistry. Farther-ranging, bushwhack-style hikes glimpsed signs of beaver. Kayakers enjoyed launching from an even, soft gravel beach to share a calm bay with sea otters and abundant intertidal life. A few fortunate paddlers spotted a black bear on the beach. The afternoon brought exploration via Zodiac of the maze of long, narrow, glacially-gouged Keku Islands. Bald eagles and marbled murrelets abounded, while sea lions and black oystercatchers made occasional appearances. Moss and wildflowers provided lovely hanging garden grottos on limestone walls towering over narrow channels. Glassy waters reflected a mix of sun and passing rain showers. Rainbows and humpback whales highlighted a gorgeous evening of cruising Frederick Sound.
