After two full days of exploring the northernmost area of our route, we turned south and cruised down Chatham Strait, in hopes of finding some whales. It was a beautiful morning and we were soon rewarded with our first views of these amazing leviathans. There were many single humpback whales feeding in Chatham Strait, along with several small groups, one that included a small calf! After enjoying these wonderful marine mammals for an hour or so, we continued southward, stopping at Kasnyku Falls, and then picking up our representative from the Alaska Whale Foundation at their headquarters in Warm Spring Bay. We continued our journey, finding more whales, and finally making an incredible after dinner stop in Red Bluff Bay, to view one last spectacular waterfall.
7/18/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Freshwater Bay, Chichagof Island
This morning before breakfast, the bridge team of National Geographic Quest spotted orcas in Freshwater Bay. Eager to see this iconic whale species, the bow was quickly occupied by excited guests, staff, and crew. We could not have asked for better conditions. A sunny, calm morning with at least a dozen orcas! Wow! After breakfast we went ashore at Kennel Creek on Chichagof Island and split into aerobic, moderate, and casual walking groups. After yesterday’s wet forest at Fox Creek, we welcomed the firm, dry ground of an old logging road. Along our walks there were abundant signs of brown bears. One of the two aerobic walks had fresh bear tracks on top of their footprints upon their return. In the afternoon cruising down Chatham Strait, we enjoyed time on deck soaking up the sun when an eagle-eye naturalist spotted a group of humpbacks ten miles away! As we approached, we could see that this was no small group, as twenty-three whales were bubble net feeding! This day will long be imprinted in our memories of wild Alaska.