For the past several days we have explored the protected waters of the Inside Passage’s fjords and canals. Today, we ventured to the area’s northernmost inlet to explore what it is like at the boundary of these calm waters and the open Pacific Ocean. We found a bounty of sea life that benefits from this confluence; it is here that nutrients are brought from the bottom of the ocean and fuel a buffet that benefits a wide range of marine mammals and sea birds. With Zodiac cruises around the Inian Islands of Cross Sound and guided hikes and kayaks around George Island we got an intimate look into this dynamic area of Alaska.
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.
