It seems that the Inian Islands always hold wonderful experiences. We started our morning with Zodiac cruises, where we encountered a large group of Steller sea lions, watched as sea otters laid wrapped in bull kelp, and took photographs of bald eagles perched on a low-hanging branch. We have certainly enjoyed the sunshine we’ve had all week, but it was great to give our guests a true taste of Southeast Alaskan weather today. The clouds seemed to pour over the mountains, creating a truly magical setting, and the rain held off, giving us near perfect conditions. We then filled the afternoon with more fun activities off the ship in Idaho Inlet. It proved to be the perfect place to explore by kayak, as well as on foot.
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.
