We rose early aboard National Geographic Venture to watch killer whales that made a sudden appearance off the bow of our ship as we traveled slowly north to Kelp Bay, our destination for the afternoon’s activities. We spent the first half of the day on hikes and photography sessions to one of the large beaver lakes on the island, and we reflected and perfected our photography skills. Returning to the landing beach we were given a choice of kayaking or stand up paddleboarding, all the while enjoying a day of sunny skies and perfect still waters. As the day ended we cruised for wildlife, encountering a number of humpback whales solo feeding in the deep waters of Chatham Strait.
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.
