At the Northeast corner of Baranof Island is a small inlet with several fingers called Kelp Bay. It was here that humpback whales greeted National Geographic Quest, and where we dropped anchor for a round of morning activities. Long walks off trail, short beach strolls, and exploratory kayaking took up the bulk of the morning. Much wildlife fills the shores of Kelp Bay, and many of us were treated to views of mink and bear while bald eagles pinwheeled overhead. The afternoon saw a polar plunge take place! A fantastic tradition where the brave and perhaps foolhardy leap into the chilly waters of Southeast Alaska, if only for a moment. After lunch we saw a special presentation by one of our video chroniclers on his side project, made possible by contributions from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. To top it all off, we were escorted around Chatham Strait by humpback whales throughout that evening.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 24 May 2019
Kelp Bay, 5/24/2019, National Geographic Quest
- Aboard the National Geographic Quest
- Alaska
James Hyde, Undersea Specialist
Pacific Northwest born James Hyde grew up immersed in the Salish Sea, on Vashon Island with Seattle as his backdrop. A passionate traveler from a young age, James explored four continents before finishing his degree at Western Washington University's...
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