Fog enveloped National Geographic Quest in the morning at our anchorage near the Inian Islands. Each group got to join a naturalist for an exploration by Zodiac to see as much wildlife as possible in a short amount of time. Everyone took pictures and videos while observing the sea otters, sea lions, and birds. After lunch, the ship repositioned near George Island, which was utilized by the U.S. military during World War II. Some guests hiked, others kayaked, and several did some tide pooling. The grand finale was a polar plunge into the chilly Alaskan waters. It was a fantastic day on National Geographic Quest!
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.
