Adventure or bust! With a morning full of true expedition, National Geographic Quest anchored within the boundaries of Security Bay State Marine Park on Kuiu Island. Known for its history of logging, this protected area is an excellent site for explorations by land and by sea. In a downpour appropriate for the temperate rainforest, guests took to kayaks and paddleboards and played with harbor seals and sea otters. In the forest, guests followed game trails created by black bears and moose, moving through bushes and over logs. In the afternoon, special guests from the Alaska Whale Foundation were picked up in Baranof Warm Springs Bay. The foundation is Lindblad Expedition’s regional partner, and two student researchers shared what our Conservation Fund has helped them discover about our humpback and killer whale populations.
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.