After two full days of exploring the northernmost area of our route, we turned south and cruised down Chatham Strait, in hopes of finding some whales. It was a beautiful morning and we were soon rewarded with our first views of these amazing leviathans. There were many single humpback whales feeding in Chatham Strait, along with several small groups, one that included a small calf! After enjoying these wonderful marine mammals for an hour or so, we continued southward, stopping at Kasnyku Falls, and then picking up our representative from the Alaska Whale Foundation at their headquarters in Warm Spring Bay. We continued our journey, finding more whales, and finally making an incredible after dinner stop in Red Bluff Bay, to view one last spectacular waterfall.
9/3/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
