Today was a quintessential Southeast Alaskan day, and we have the soaking wet rain gear and smiles to prove it. We began our morning on George Island. We explored the forest and beaches of this special place and hiked to a World War II gun site that was decommissioned in 1944. After a small reposition during lunch, we found ourselves anchored off the Inian Islands and ready for an incredible afternoon of exploring these rich and diverse waters on a Zodiac cruise. As we warmed up again on National Geographic Venture, humpback whales were sighted in the distance, and a lone male orca graced those of us up late as darkness began to set.
7/18/2024
Read
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.