In 1897, Peter Buschman arrived upon Mitkof Island to form what would become one of the most scenic and venerable fishing towns in all of Alaska. National Geographic Quest arrived in the early morning fog to see all but the crow’s nests of local fishing boats poking out of the mire. Soon after breakfast, the dense moisture cleared and our guests set loose for a day full of muskeg walks, flightseeing tours above LeConte Glacier, and visits to the harbor to learn of the various styles with which the locals harvest the local marine bounty.
9/3/2022
Read
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.
