This morning, we awoke to a glorious sunrise and a sunny day in Desolation Sound. Desolation Sound, named by George Vancouver in 1792, is far from desolate and instead felt full of life as we explored the islands and inlets of the area. We cruised in Zodiacs over abundant oyster beds and moon jellyfish blooming across the channels. After a lovely morning cruising around, we set out for afternoon hikes on West Redondo Island. We followed trails to a lovely freshwater lake and got to know the giant evergreen trees that make up the coastal temperate rainforest, from giant Douglas firs to western red cedars. We returned to the ship for cocktails and presentations as we watched a beautiful sunset over the mountains of British Columbia. What a way to start off our week exploring the Salish Sea!
10/20/2023
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National Geographic Venture
Stuart Island / Sucia Island
Today was our final full day aboard National Geographic Venture and it has been a perfect final end to an already exciting, adventurous, and fulfilling experience here in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout this trip we’ve seen so many extraordinary examples of pristine beauty in nature and today continued that trend. As we woke this morning guests were treated to one of the most vibrant sunrises possible, with the sky stretching bright pinks, oranges, and purples. Guests gathered on deck while some joined our wellness specialist, Ann Marie, on our sundeck for a stretch class with the best view available. After breakfast, we split into groups to explore Stuart Island through wooded hikes and breezy Zodiac tours. We continued our adventures this afternoon after repositioning to a nearby marine provincial park, the Sucia Island group. Here we trekked coastal hikes while also exploring on the water via Zodiac tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Our evening came to a close with a cocktail hour off the ship, celebrating our trip’s closure around a campfire on Sucia Island’s beach. Throughout this trip our goal each day was to be as open as possible to the world around us, immersing ourselves in the world of First Nations communities, dynamic marine environments, and iconic temperate rainforests. Our hearts are happy, our stomachs are full, and our eyes are already looking forward to more great experiences like this!