This morning, we woke up on the border of Canada and the US. Once National Geographic Quest cleared Customs, we officially entered Alaska! We made our way into Misty Fjords for an afternoon of adventure! Everyone took a Zodiac cruise through Owl Pass to soak in the beauty of this glacially carved fjord. The water was so still. Everywhere we looked, the landscape’s reflection was mirrored back. Owl Rock, a potential hibernaculum (a place for hibernation) for little brown bats, is a basalt rock formation that ignites awe in all who set their eyes upon her. After lunch, guests kayaked in the fjord and observed harbor seals, grizzly bears (a mum and two cubs), and multiple bird species. Today was another stunning day in paradise.
5/11/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Calvert Island
The Hakai Research Institute is a former fishing lodge that was converted to an ecological observatory in 2009. Nestled in beautiful coastal British Columbia, it is surrounded by pristine old-growth forest, white sand beaches, and tidal inlets. A gem of the Pacific Northwest, the Institute invited Lindblad Expeditions and our guests to visit and explore the remarkable ecology of her mountains and shores. National Geographic Quest made her maiden landing at the Institute today, and it was an incredible day. Guests were able to choose from a variety of casual, moderate, and aerobic hikes, traversing through temperate forest, muskeg, beaches, and tide pools along the way. For those interested in marine exploration, Zodiac cruises probed the glacially-carved edges of the island. All were then invited to explore the grounds of the Institute and talk with the directors, who were happy to share their passions and history with us.