When we woke today, we were dockside in Petersburg. A fishing town off Mitkof Island since the turn of the 20th century, guests had several options to explore and feel out this one-of-a-kind fishing town. Many embarked on a flightseeing adventure around the high glaciered mountains, while others down below ventured their way through the muskeg (bog) on nearby Kupreanof Island. Other guests kept closer to town, going either by foot or on bike for a photo walk, or to learn about the fishing industry and life under the docks with undersea specialist Jared Berg. We spent the wealth of that afternoon exploring the nearby iceberg-filled fjord of Leconte Bay, offspring of the Leconte Glacier, the southernmost tidewater glacier in the northern hemisphere.
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.
