We got off to a great first day of our voyage here in southeast Alaska. Yesterday evening we left the dock in Sitka and spent the night anchored in protected waters, exploring Peril Strait this morning and keeping our eyes out for whales and other wildlife. In the afternoon we got to explore Ushk Bay both on water and on land through kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and walks of all kinds onshore. Even though it was a rainy day we didn’t let that deter us from enjoying our first experience exploring the beauty of this place!
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.
