We started today with an early morning Zodiac cruise near the mouth of the LeConte Bay, an area littered with massive icebergs run aground in the relatively shallow water. We could not help thinking we were visiting nature’s sculpture garden as we zipped amongst these towering, cool blue formations. Afterward we traveled to the picturesque community of Petersburg, a small town renowned for its fishing industry. We explored the town by foot, bike, and Zodiac, while our undersea team entered a nearby stream to capture footage of a local salmon run.
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.
