We started our day exploring the ice gardens of La Conte Bay, cruising in and out of the blue icebergs and smaller bergy bits by Zodiac. Some of the bergs had been left stranded on the sand bar at low tide, and here and there we saw bald eagles perched atop the ice. After our morning adventures we made our way into the small town of Petersburg, a fishing community with Norwegian heritage. Guests explored the docks, the area’s unique muskeg ecosystem, and worked on their photography before spending the afternoon watching the incredible 4th of July celebrations happening around town. Activities included a herring toss, a blindfold rowboat race, and a fire engine hose-powered bicycle race! The day ended with an incredible sighting of orcas at sunset. A very happy 4th of July here in Southeast Alaska!
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.
