Our final full day in southeastern Alaska was nothing short of marvelous. We woke to the mist of the Inian Islands and following a hearty breakfast we embarked on an expedition landing craft tour of its narrow channels and inlets. We saw a colony of sea lions, sea otters, humpback whales, and a variety of birds, including the red-tailed hawk. After kayaking, hiking, and stand-up paddle boarding around historic George Island, we enjoyed our farewell slideshow and Captain’s Dinner. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic journey.
9/3/2022
Read
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.
