A sighting of killer whales, announced in this morning’s wake-up call, quickly amassed a crowd on deck that was energetic and undaunted by the 41-degree chill. The energy carried through the day as we explored the nutrient-rich waters of Cross Sound in expedition landing crafts, with sightings of more marine mammals such as harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, and sea otters, in addition to so many eagles we could not keep count. Afternoon activities ranged from tranquil kayak exploration to soggy bushwhacking, and we spotted humpback whales before bedtime.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 27 May 2018
Cross Sound, 5/27/2018, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Alaska
Chelsea Leven, Naturalist
The informal education of a childhood among frogs, hardwood forests, and intensely snowy winters of northeast Ohio established Chelsea’s passion for the natural world. Indulging her curiosity about the world through formal education, she added a geol...
Read MoreSarah Culler, Videographer
Sarah was raised on a multi-generational family dairy farm, established circa 1815 in Lucas, Ohio. Consequently, her first paying job was milking cows! Rewarding as it was to get paid for the first time, she found her passion behind the lens of a cam...
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Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands and Tracy Arm Fjord
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5/25/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Haines, Alaska
Immediately upon National Geographic Sea Lion’s arrival in Haines, the low clouds began to lift, and a bald eagle landed on the pilings next to the ship…a welcome sign of things to come. Our morning activities included hiking to the summit of Mount Riley, walking along the beach at Battery Point, cycling along the coastal roads, and fly fishing for Dolly Varden. The afternoon offered many of the same activities and time to explore town, where many guests decided to visit the recently opened cafe at the top of the dock for local Alaskan flavors. Speaking of Alaskan flavors…we now await the evening’s crab feast with great anticipation!
5/24/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Inian Islands and Fox Creek
We had an amazing day today exploring the Inian Islands and Fox Creek. In the morning, guests left National Geographic Sea Lion to explore the Inian Islands on Zodiacs. This location is known for its currents and the upwelling that happens here. Nutrients rise to the surface, producing a great opportunity to witness the feeding behavior of bald eagles, Steller sea lions, sea otters, gulls, and other marine mammals. After a delicious lunch, guests chose from two exploratory opportunities at Fox Creek. One of the options was a moderate hike with our naturalists interpreting along the way. The second option was an intertidal walk with naturalists, enjoying a bit of tidepool exploration. We concluded this amazing day back onboard listening to the recap, having a wonderful dinner, and planning for another great day tomorrow with our visit to Haines.