Waking up to whales in the distance is always a great start to a day onboard National Geographic Quest. Bundled up on the bow, we enjoyed watching two humpback whales apparently having their breakfast before retreating indoors for our own nutritious meal to prepare for a day of exploring Sitkoh Bay. As we dropped anchor, the down jackets were swapped for lighter layers and we anxiously awaited the opportunity to hike and kayak in the rare Southeast Alaskan sunshine. From bear scat to banana slugs to Dungeness crabs taking cover in the intertidal, we discovered many of the little things that make Southeast Alaska the wild, interconnected landscape that surpasses any expectations and never disappoints!
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.
