Kuiu & Chatham Strait
The National Geographic Sea Lion began the day in the choppy water of Chatham Strait. The ship motored south along the west coast of Kuiu Island and then turned into the Bay of Pillars bathed in brilliant sunshine. As we turned east into the calm water of the bay we spotted numerous sea otters floating or swimming in the still water. One of the otters, with a young one on her belly, floated close to the National Geographic Sea Lion in the calm bay. After breakfast, the guests divided into groups for hiking kayaking, and Zodiac cruising. The hikers made their way up the rocky beach to examine steeply dipping layers of sediment that were deposited during the Silurian Period of the Paleozoic. These layered sediments were deposited as horizontal layers in the ocean over 400 million years ago. Beyond the rocks of the beach, alders and spruce fringed the dense forest of the island’s interior. Small groups of hikers followed narrow trails and a small stream near the beach. Numerous flowers and evidence of bears were found along the route. Kayakers were treated to wonderful views of small tree-covered islands in the sunny bay. The Zodiac cruises followed a narrow passage with a strong tidal current toward the interior of the island. Boaters were treated to views of sea otters bobbing in the water and a mink picking its way along the rocky shoreline. We returned to the National Geographic Sea Lion before noon.
During lunch, the National Geographic Sea Lion raised anchor and motored north along the wide waters of Chatham Strait toward Frederick Sound. This remarkably straight fjord follows a transform fault, analogous to the San Andreas of California, that transported rocks north to Alaska. The wind and waves diminished as we continued northward in the glorious sun. During the late afternoon Steve Maclean presented an informative lecture on the ecology and management of the Tongass National Forest. By late afternoon, we reached the entrance to Peril Strait between Baranof and Chichagof islands where we spotted two humpback whales. We paused to enjoy views of the whales feeding in front of snow-covered peaks. The National Geographic Sea Lion continued north through Chatham Strait as the sun sank toward the horizon and the mountains took on an orange glow. As we finished dinner, we spotted additional whales near the ship and were treated to excellent views in the late evening light.
The National Geographic Sea Lion began the day in the choppy water of Chatham Strait. The ship motored south along the west coast of Kuiu Island and then turned into the Bay of Pillars bathed in brilliant sunshine. As we turned east into the calm water of the bay we spotted numerous sea otters floating or swimming in the still water. One of the otters, with a young one on her belly, floated close to the National Geographic Sea Lion in the calm bay. After breakfast, the guests divided into groups for hiking kayaking, and Zodiac cruising. The hikers made their way up the rocky beach to examine steeply dipping layers of sediment that were deposited during the Silurian Period of the Paleozoic. These layered sediments were deposited as horizontal layers in the ocean over 400 million years ago. Beyond the rocks of the beach, alders and spruce fringed the dense forest of the island’s interior. Small groups of hikers followed narrow trails and a small stream near the beach. Numerous flowers and evidence of bears were found along the route. Kayakers were treated to wonderful views of small tree-covered islands in the sunny bay. The Zodiac cruises followed a narrow passage with a strong tidal current toward the interior of the island. Boaters were treated to views of sea otters bobbing in the water and a mink picking its way along the rocky shoreline. We returned to the National Geographic Sea Lion before noon.
During lunch, the National Geographic Sea Lion raised anchor and motored north along the wide waters of Chatham Strait toward Frederick Sound. This remarkably straight fjord follows a transform fault, analogous to the San Andreas of California, that transported rocks north to Alaska. The wind and waves diminished as we continued northward in the glorious sun. During the late afternoon Steve Maclean presented an informative lecture on the ecology and management of the Tongass National Forest. By late afternoon, we reached the entrance to Peril Strait between Baranof and Chichagof islands where we spotted two humpback whales. We paused to enjoy views of the whales feeding in front of snow-covered peaks. The National Geographic Sea Lion continued north through Chatham Strait as the sun sank toward the horizon and the mountains took on an orange glow. As we finished dinner, we spotted additional whales near the ship and were treated to excellent views in the late evening light.
