The penultimate day of the expedition brought National Geographic Sea Lion to Baranof Island, where travelers were treated to a medley of morning activities, including hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and Zodiac cruising. Whether through the use of legs or paddles, everyone enjoyed exploring the Alaskan wilderness one last time. Later in the afternoon much to the delight of younger passengers, the Global Explorers were offered Zodiac driving lessons. Afterward, passengers had the opportunity to brave the Polar Plunge. Those who participated had their closest encounter yet with the chilling Alaskan waters as they leapt out, submerging themselves in the name of adventure. After a morning full of activity, the remainder of the afternoon was spent cruising through Morris Reef and Chatham Strait, resulting in amazing views of both landscape and wildlife, including a mother humpback whale swimming with her calf.
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.