Today was our full day to play around in Dundas Bay, one of the fjords just west of the main Glacier Bay, in Glacier Bay National Park. We’re lucky because the regulations in Dundas Bay allow us to do hikes, kayaking and Zodiac cruises, which we can’t do in the main bay under the permit system! So, after breakfast we sent off hikers first, then cruisers, and finally the kayakers to explore different parts of the area. It was an overcast day, but again refused to rain, and we were easily able to do two rounds of each activity, one in the morning, and one after lunch! There were also some great wildlife sightings along the way – many sea otters, harbor porpoise, harbor seals and a very large Alaskan brown bear! We were so lucky to have the chance to explore this incredible park in this way!
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.