Tuesday started with hikes over game trails along the edge of a salmon stream heading towards Pavlof Lake. Hikers spotted beaver activity and bear scat while venturing around to take in scenic views of the stream, a beautiful lakeside meadow, and the mountainside. Hikers took between one to three hours to complete their journeys on differently paced and structured hikes. After the morning adventures, a brown bear mother and cub were spotted on shore wandering around the intertidal area. In the afternoon, guests had the option to enjoy Zodiac cruises along Freshwater Bay, most notably Cedar Cove, as well as kayaking. Those in Zodiacs spotted harbor seals, bald eagles, and pigeon guillemots in addition to other wildlife, while those in kayaks spotted jellyfish and sea stars under the sea. The day ended with a wonderful cocktail hour with charcuterie, wine, and presentations by the naturalists and undersea team.
5/13/2025
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National Geographic Venture
Basket Bay
A day of Zodiac cruising in Basket Bay on Chichagof Island brought wild beauty and unforgettable encounters. As the morning mist thinned, we traced the rugged shoreline beneath towering forested cliffs, where ochre sea stars clung to rocks and dense clusters of blue mussels covered the intertidal zone like armor. Bald eagles circled overhead, and a river otter slipped along the kelp-strewn shore. Not long into our cruise, a humpback whale surfaced nearby, vanishing as suddenly as it appeared. Then, the real show began. A pod of five orcas emerged from the north, cutting through the water with smooth, deliberate power. Their tall dorsal fins knifed the surface in silence as we viewed them from a respectful distance, the pod weaving in and out of view among the swells. Onshore, waterfalls thundered from the cliffs, swollen with rain, sending spray across the rocks. The air smelled of salt and cedar. We lingered near one cascade, engines low, taking in the raw energy of water meeting sea. By the time we turned back toward the anchorage, the sky had turned dark and williwaws descended upon us. We were all smiles as memories of our special orca encounter shone brightly.
