We began the day by entering Buchan Gulf, full of dramatic scenery. We immediately saw polar bears in the distance, and after scouting the area, we decided that the sow and her two cubs posed no risk to a shore landing. We were able to explore the area and found four early Inuit fall houses. After our shore visit, 18 guests and 6 naturalists braved the chilly waters for a polar plunge.
After lunch, we ventured further into the gulf and into Icy Arm. The region makes one think of an Arctic Yosemite with steep-sided cliffs and glaciers on all sides. We were treated to views of spectacular geology and spotted several groups of narwhals. At first distant, we were able to approach the narwhal and get good views of them. We also spotted a couple of beluga whales. As we continued sailing, we spotted yet more polar bears and spent some time observing them. Our day’s polar bear tally was 12!
