Patty was able to secure a permit short notice from Glacier Bay. I got dates mixed up so we ended up having to get ready and move that day. There is a one mile exclusion zone from all shores for boats keeping away from whales so make sure you stay out one nautical mile. The NOAA raster chart has the zone or you can just use your radar to shore at one nm. Made it to Bartlett cove to anchor out with 10-12 other boats directly north east of the dock where the squiggly mark at the end of our track below.
Had orientation for boaters at 5pm after walking dogs on some trails. Interesting that we had the dog’s with us for orientation but the rule where dog’s can not get off the boat once inside Glacier Bay was NOT brought up. They have a large whale skeleton (had a picture of it about to be hit by cruise ship) and also a “new” long house built by the Tlingits that had to move from glacier bay to Hoonah when glaciers advanced in 1750 or so. Also walked through the Bartlett Glacier Bay National Park Cove Lodge which has lodging, serves food wine/bear and is very nicely done.
We did not plan to go all the way up to the glaciers in Glacier bay. So took a cruise up the bay and checked out Sandy cove on east side of the bay. Passed South Marble Island where many Stellar Sea Lions where hauled out.
Twas pretty but we decided to move on to Shaggy Cove on west side. Saw lots of whales. One lunge feed, lots of feeding but no breaching. Did have an orca pod go right behind us. I just happen to see one turn fast to avoid hitting boat. Was looking forward then looked behind and saw 4-6 crusing northeast in bay. With binocs I saw one breach several times. UGH! Want to see it up close. Oh well.
Also saw many many Sea Otters, they are very plentifull here.
Anchored in Shaggy cove. Beautiful, saw a bear in AM. Had to share cove with a small ranger tug.
