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Alaska Cruise Review: Safari Quest

Sailing: July 12-19, 2006

Day Two- We started with an early morning departure heading through Icy Strait for Point Adolphus. During the breakfast service we were interrupted twice by our first humpback whale and first set of Dalls Porpoise sightings. Upon arrival south of Point Adolphus, we encountered numerous whales very close up, showing off their gorgeous tails and a few peck fins. After all guests enjoyed the whale experience from the skiff, we were served lunch while cruising farther west in Icy Strait toward Idaho Inlet. Along the way we called everyone out on deck with their desserts to enjoy two large groups ofhumpbacks who showed signs of potential feeding.

We arrived in Idaho Inlet and happened upon a large raft of sea otters just as the sun was poking through the clouds. Once arriving at the head of the bay, we anchored and dropped the kayaks for our first kayak adventure. All 8 of our double kayaks went out towards the head of the bay in search of bear, mink and seals towards the head of the bay. The other guests enjoyed a skiff ride with Mate Tate, encountering seals, eagles and the top of a brown bear's back in the tall grasses. Once all arrived back onboard, half the guests went on a beach walk while the others leisurely relaxed in the lounge with cocktails and appetizers. Just as dinner service was finishing and the sun was setting, weencountered another group of humpbacks prior to anchoring for the evening.

Day Three started cruising north from Lemisure Island towards Glacier Bay National Park's waters. Along the way we spotted humpbacks in the distance under clear blue skies and flat calm seas. We arrived in Bartlett Cove where the guests enjoyed the Forest Trail Loop walk and a visit to the lodge. Once our guests arrived back and our Park Ranger was onboard we departed Bartlett Cove. At South Marble Island we enjoyed seeing puffins, Murrlets, gulls and sea lions. Getting closer to Tidal Inlet we were able to view Mt. Fairweather, in all its glory at over 15,000 feet, and still completely covered in snow. In Tidal Inlet we enjoyed beautifulscenery via kayaks and the skiff. Upon anchoring we marveled at the beautiful sunset over the Fairweather Range.

Day Four found us underway from Russell Passage to Johns Hopkins Inlet. While en route we viewed hundreds of surf scoters and the beauty of Lamplugh Glacier. Upon arrival, at our 1/4
mile safe distance from the face of the glacier, it was perfect timing with calving-after-calving taking place. It was to the point that the boat had a consistent rocking motion from the wave action created by the large chunks of ice falling two hundred feet off the face of the glacier to the water below. After more than two hours of constant action and several close-up viewings of the harbor seals on the ice floes, we made our way out of Johns Hopkins.

From Johns Hopkins we began to make our way south. A few hours into the cruising we came
across a pod of Orcas. Needless to say we stopped, letting them pass, and turned to follow them about at a 1/4 mile distance. The guests all stood on the bow for a full hour enjoying views of a very distinct T-40 male via binoculars and cameras. Once in Geike Inlet several guests went ashore for some beach walking and light hiking. Upon arriving in Bartlett Cove to drop off our Park Ranger, Miriam Rachel, the guests had the opportunity for an after dinner walk. On the walk, about 1/3 of the group got to view a mom and three black bear cubs near the lodge. They were so excited that one guest didn't even get on the boat before boasting about their find!

Today, Day Five, we rounded Point Augusta, at which point Mate Tate spotted humpbacks along the shore in a group of 9. I slowed down the yacht to get in closer. To our surprise the humpbacks were bubble net feeding. What a show! With them all fluking in sequence, then coming up out of the water with their mouths wide open, all in a group, it was spectacular. lunch of course was delayed an hour just so some time could be spent with these creatures.

Only 15 miles from our planned afternoon anchorage, we spotted yet another large group of humpbacks in Lyoukeen Cove and all the guests agreed "we should go do things we can't do
anywhere else, let's see these whales!" So we headed in and with luck on our side this group also was bubble net feeding. Since we were in a more protected area, we opted to try the hydrophone, and sure enough it worked flawlessly. The sound was amazing as the group worked together to surround their herring prey. We decided to offer skiff rides in orderto get a more intimate view and maybe even better clarity on the hydrophone. Everyone was up for it and no one was disappointed. We had great views from the Quest and great views from the small boat, and everyone was able to enjoy the soundings as we broadcasted them over our VHF and then through the PA system on board the Quest! It was like a whale symphony.

With everyone enjoying the whales outside for so long, the crew decided to make up special hot cider in glass mugs with apple slices on the edge along with a rim of caramel and sugar. Delivered with fresh baked cookies, everyone was recharged and ready to continue watching. At one point the bubble net and lunge feeding was seen less than a hundred feet off the bow of the boat as the whales worked the waters around us. We didn't have to move as they just kept coming up closer and closer.

After close to three hours with the whales we decided to skip Pavlof Harbor and head directly
to our night anchorage. The guests response was "we've had enough for the day!" So as we
head south in Chatham Strait the guests are enjoying another delicious creation from the
galley and fine wine while reflecting on the experiences we have had during the past five days.