It couldn’t have been a more perfect morning as we awoke to the morning light reflecting off of an ocean of glass on our way to Gut Bay. The rugged peaks of Baranof Island pierced the skyline as we cruised the straight, making our way to the morning anchorage. We arrived at the mouth of the bay, and with our bellies full the operations for the day began. Half of us opted to ride the incoming tide and paddled with the current via kayak while the rest of us chose a more leisurely mode of exploration and cruised the bay in expedition landing craft.
Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees towered above us as we made our way further into the bay, admiring a multitude of colors of lichens that adorned the exposed granite faces. Upon reaching to the end of the bay, National Graphic Sea Bird picked us up and we were welcomed back with a special glass of sangria and a toast to the Captain and crew for such a picturesque morning.
We left Gut Bay and headed back out into Chatham Straight, in search of cetaceans that can be frequently found in this region. On our way into Warm Springs Bay we were greeted by a humpback whale, which seemed fitting since we were there to hear an incredible presentation by Dr. Andy Szabo, the director of the Alaska Whale Foundation, about these very whales. After we said our goodbyes, we started to make our way out of the bay and were extremely fortunate to be escorted out by a small pod of killer whales! We observed and followed them in awe and wonderment, admiring the magnificence these animals possess. At one point the baby passed near the ship, almost as if to just say hello. And suddenly one of the adults wanted a look for itself and spy-hopped allowing us all to get a very clear look at this top predator of the ocean. Eventually we had to part ways and we headed back into Chatham Straight and onto our next destination.
Navigating north with the assistance of some of our younger guests behind the wheel, our junior captains brought us to Kasnyku Falls. After dropping anchor, a small handful of guests, along with the captain and some crew, bravely battled the frigid Alaskan waters and went for a polar plunge. Once all were back on board and properly warmed up, we pulled anchor and headed back into the glassy waters of Chatham Straight in search for more of everything that this incredible place had to offer. And what an offer it was, because after dinner we were treated to a single humpback whale bubble-net feeding right next to the ship in the evening twilight.
