19 Jul 2018

Whales whales whales - Chukotka’s North Eastern Coast

Today we had that rare opportunity that only comes along occasionally of exploring somewhere neither the ship nor any of the expedition team aboard had ever visited before. As we sailed towards the imposing cape, the first thing that struck all on the bridge was the rock spires rising above the landscape and secondly it was the profusion of wildlife. While the scout boat was exploring the shoreline, those aboard were treated by a pod of Orca passing along the starboard side and a breaching Humpback Whale a little further out amongst the ice. Our morning exploration began with a zodiac cruise along the cliffs, there was still ice floating in the bay and both birds and seals abounded, a particular highlight on the bird front was excellent views of Spectacled Eider. We interrupted the zodiac cruise to land and explore the Tundra which was beautifully abundant with many flowers in full bloom at the moment. Sitting on the hillside we were about to spot seven Brown Bears feeding on the tundra within our vision!

The afternoon was spent with the Humpback Whales feeding amongst the pack ice, there was never a moments silence as the breathing of whales was constantly floating across the bay, at every turn whales could be seen. There was estimated to be over fifty whales in our immediate vicinity and with more than enough to go around, each zodiac had its own special moments with the whales. After over two hours on the water we had to tear ourselves away to return to the Spirit of Enderby.

© S.Blanc (Image from File)