Today’s expedition began with National Geographic Venture cruising into Halleck Harbor on Kuiu Island. Guests were offered chances to hike along the rugged coast or kayak to explore the intertidal zone, which is perfectly exposed due to the extremely low tides often found in Southeast Alaska. Hikers in the temperate rainforest discussed the components of forest succession, and the intertidal groups explored the exposed rocks to find sea stars, small fish, and crabs. In the afternoon, the ship ventured north through Chatham Strait, coming across sea otters, humpback whales, and a variety of bird life on an unusually sunny Alaska afternoon.
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.
