A light drizzle engulfed the ship in early morning but did not dampen our spirits for an outing ashore at Hanus Bay, where the Lake Eva trail leads parallels a salmon stream through lush temperate rainforest. The mist subsided as we hiked and kayaked or cruised by Zodiac and remained dry the rest of the day. In the afternoon we motored through the sheltered waters of Peril Strait through Sergius Narrows on the way to tomorrow’s destination in Sitka.
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.
