Our second full day in Southeast Alaska began with soft light and low clouds as the National Geographic Venture tied up at the pier in Petersburg. We had a full day planned, with many activities scheduled in the morning. For the afternoon, we looked forward to exploring the waters of Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait, wrapping up with a sumptuous crab feast and post-dinner cruising into the long summer evening. Conditions dried out as the day progressed, even with hints of sunshine as the sun rolled into the western sky.
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.
