“Enjoy the kiss of Haines!” That’s what a friend told me when she found out I was in the area. We knew we were surrounded by magic as soon as we looked out from the windows of National Geographic Sea Lion and saw the peaks of the Chilkat Range towering over the town. Following that first glimpse, we immersed ourselves in what the area had to offer. We enjoyed activities ranging from a rafting trip down the Klukwan River, a biking adventure to Chilkoot Lake, and flightseeing tours over the Chilkat Range, Lynn Canal, the Meade Glacier, and Glacier Bay.
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.
