We woke early to a gently rolling swell and clouds over the Gulf of Alaska as we made our way down the outer coast to Salisbury Sound. We watched from the bow of National Geographic Venture as members of the salmon fleet left their anchorages bound for the Fairweather fishing grounds. We were headed to Krestof Sound, a body of water protected from prevailing winds to the northwest of Sitka in Southeast Alaska, and our destination for activities on this rainy afternoon. We boarded kayaks, bushwacked through the understory of a mature forest, and rode Zodiacs through quiet lagoons and coves. The rain, pelting at times, was nevertheless a relief for the temperate rainforest. We watched quietly as deer came out to graze along the back-beach areas of the sound, and a family of mergansers took a swim in the placid waters. Today was a quiet and relaxing end to our adventures, and we look forward to our final day in Sitka.
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.