We woke up sailing north through Icy Straight on our way to George Island where we start the day with hiking, kayaking, and a few brave souls even went swimming in the frigid Alaskan water. This beautiful island has a long and interesting history including use as a military base during WWII to protect Cross Sound from Japanese invasion. We then move National Geographic Sea Lion a short distance north to the Inian Islands where strong tidal currents bring an abundance of fish and with it the predators that prey on those fish.
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.
