Today we began our Alaskan adventure in the Magoun Islands. These Islands, though not too distant from Sitka, are a unique and beautiful place. There we kayaked, hiked, bushwhacked, and embarked on Zodiac tours. With a busy morning and afternoon, we expected the evening to be relaxing. Alaska, however, had other plans. We spotted breaching humpback whales and spent the rest of the night watching the sunset while humpbacks played. What an amazing first day.
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.
