A thick layer of fog dispersed to reveal blue skies and the snowcapped peaks of the Fairweather Mountain Range, towering over George Island. Lower tides provided excellent tide pooling opportunities, the highlight being a great Pacific octopus that slid along the kelp-covered rocks foraging. The complete visit included treks to a WWII-era emplacement and a ride on a swing overlooking the bay. The sun continued to beam down on lucky explorers at Inian Islands. Sea otters rolled in kelp beds, sea lions leapt around our boats, and a humpback whale graced us with a fluke in front of the mountains, while bald eagles perched in the Sitka spruce lining the shore.
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.
