Inian Islands and Pinta Cove, 8/14/2024, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Alaska
The mist parted in the morning hours as we arrived at our anchorage in the Inian Islands.
As the rain and clouds gave way to sunshine, we embarked on Zodiac cruises to enjoy the presence of various marine mammals, such as Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals. In the afternoon, we headed over to Pinta Cove where we hiked into the Alaskan wilderness and explored the shoreline by kayaks and paddleboards.
Kayvon Malek is an underwater videographer whose work as an expedition guide and in the wildlife documentary industry have taken him pole to pole. After taking a scuba course on a whim in college, Kayvon’s newfound obsession led him to working as a r...
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The vast fjord of Chatham Straight stretched before us this morning as we cruised in search of wildlife. Our efforts were rewarded with one of the most rare and spectacular behaviors- a group of humpback whales cooperatively bubble-net feeding! Everyone was so excited, scurrying back and forth across the bow and decks to get a better look as the whales swam all around us feeding. In the afternoon we landed in Kelp Bay, and everyone spread out to explore the forest, beach, and a salmon river via hikes, kayaks, and Zodiacs. It was an absolutely spectacular day for weather and wildlife!
It is no secret that the Inian Islands are one of the many treasures of Southeast Alaska. The Inians, a protected wilderness area with a highly productive marine environment due to upwelling that brings nutrient-rich waters to the surface, is teeming with wildlife at every turn. Whales, otters, sea lions, and seabirds all feed in these waters, and we were so fortunate to witness these creatures in their habitat during our morning Zodiac tours. We saw otters and their pups happily munching on sea critters, humpback whales around the ship, and Steller sea lions hauled out and feeding on fish in the water. In the afternoon, we headed south into Idaho Inlet for onshore activities, including forest edge walks, bushwhacking adventures, and treks through the forest. We found evidence of bears and deer, and our long bushwhack explored the muskeg. Our afternoon closed with a pre-cocktail hour polar plunge at the beach, recap, and a kid’s pizza night in the lounge.
Since Glacier Bay National Park is one of our nation’s more remote parks, visiting it is a unique and special experience. Mostly sunny skies and calm winds escorted us all the way to the head of this massive bay, teaming with wildlife and incredible scenery the whole way. Mountain goats dotted the hills, while the cliffs were dotted with pelagic cormorants and black-legged kittiwakes. We searched for elusive animals and were delighted by the abundant ones. At the head of this fjord lay the architects: the glaciers. Sweeping valleys filled with ice told the story of how this landscape was formed. Truly a wonder to behold, our day at Glacier Bay National Park was one well spent.
