The first morning on board National Geographic Venture greeted us with glassy, reflective waters and an illuminated skyline as the sun peeked between the fog. A pod of killer whales helped kickstart an incredibly exciting day, which was followed by bubble-netting humpback whales in Morris Reef. We kayaked and hiked in Sitkoh Bay, where we had a wonderful encounter with a young brown bear that kept a safe distance on shore as we passed along a trail filled with banana slugs.
9/3/2022
Read
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.