At the entrance to the Pacific Ocean, currents tear past these rocky islands. Between moments of rain and sunshine, we hike, paddle, bushwhack, and photograph George Island. Mossy trails lead us to spectacular overlooks of Icy Strait, where ocean swells break on basaltic cliffs. In the afternoon, skilled drivers take us into the ripping tides around Inian Islands to behold scores of massive Steller sea lions. A placid sea otter bobs among the bull kelp. A pigeon guillemot alights upon a boulder overlooking an azure sea. The mist rolls in.
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.
