Our second day in the San Juan Islands of Washington was spent exploring the second largest, and most populated island, in the San Juan Island Archipelago. About 8,000 people inhabit this island, and 2,200 of them live in the only incorporated town in the all-island county of around 16,000 full time residents. Our morning options were touring the island by bus, visiting a farm, exploring town, and the Whale Museum. After lunch, we left the town behind and motored just a few miles to the north, anchoring at Jones Island, where we explored the uninhabited state marine park by foot or Zodiac tour.
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!