Today is our final full day for this voyage, and what a day we had! Waking up as the ship entered Kelp Bay was beyond words — mirrored reflections everywhere we looked. We had a very busy morning of activities planned for our guests: some went on an extreme bushwhack, some took a medium bushwhack or a forest stroll, and others enjoyed relaxing or kayaking in the bay. Afterwards guests returned to the ship and some brave souls prepared for a POLAR PLUNGE! Once warmed up, our group of Global Explorers had their first Zodiac driving lesson. We ended the day cruising our way to Sitka, our final destination, and searching for wildlife. A perfect end to a perfect voyage.
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.