We awoke in the morning greeted by our first sighting of humpback whales. They showed their flukes while basked in the morning light as they dove in the midst of National Geographic Quest. We then anchored and set upon Fox Creek for exploration. The young explorers got their own hike and saw many signs of the bears that call this area home. In the afternoon, we had Zodiac tours around the Inian Islands. The highlight for sure was the numerous Steller sea lions that surrounded our Zodiacs, looking up at us with curiosity. Truly it was a perfect day here in the Inside Passage of Alaska aboard National Geographic Quest.
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.
