Susan B
Jul 5, 2026
We booked this as an excursion for when our cruise landed in icy straights. Very well organized, easy to find. No concerns about getting back to cruise on time. The crew were good. We saw whales and orcas and sea lions
Ariel Nicole Albright
Jul 21, 2026
We had an AMAZING time hanging out with Captain Billy and his daughter. They were both knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful during our excursion. The weather was cold but their warm boat, The Silver Spoon, made for a cozy time on the water and was perfect for cruising around. We were able to go out on the front of the boat area for photos when we slowed down and they kept the inside nice and warm from us in between photo stops. Billy was funny and told many stories of his time growing up in the area. We enjoyed the tour from them very much. Beyond their excellent service towards us, the wildlife we encountered was phenomenal! We saw a pod of Orcas, sea lions, a bear and her cubs, and 3 humpback whales! One of the humpback whales put on an AMAZING show for us, dancing and jumping all around for 30+ minutes--I couldn't believe the photos I was able to capture! Excellent experience all the way around.
Amy Holland
Jul 20, 2026
This was the best excursion of our trip. We chose a whale watching tour and were thrilled to see whales breaching and playing. We even saw Orcas! This was definitely a highlight and an experience of a lifetime.
Justin L
Jul 20, 2026
Captain Denise was great - very informative about growing up in Hoonah, telling stories and sharing some of her culture with us. She was also very knowledgeable about the wildlife we saw. We were able to see 2 bears on a shore on one of the islands and then saw a few whales (not up close). Denise was in communication with other boats, as they would tell each other where to go to see the whales. It was evident she was trying her best to get us the best whale watching experience. I would definitely recommend this experience, but it may be slightly overpriced on Viator.
Steph879
Jul 20, 2026
I was impressed that when our ship changed the time in port, Hoonah Travel Adventures noticed before we were notified by the cruise line! We had a wonderful time with captain Denise, who is native to the area. We had thought the boat was only going to be for our group (9 people) but were rather surprised when there were about 30 people to share the space. We also were under the impression there were going to be snacks and drinks to purchase on the way back, but there was not - so everyone in my group was getting rather hungry and grumpy.
Amanda Y
Jul 18, 2026
INCREDIBLE experience!! For starters, I booked directly and the team was so accommodating, I originally had 27 then dropped to 5, and times where changing & the team was so helpful & accommodating. Also got us a great deal. Easy and clear instructions and the staff were the best!! Our captain shared great stories & history for the travel time in between getting from harbor out to where the whales are. There team is well connected & was communicating the entire time with other local boats to know exactly where everything was. Also something very unique was dropping the mic in the water to hear the whales live. I’ve been on others where they play pre-recorded sounds, but never live! And until you experience that, there are no words to describe it! We got an amazing experience not only of whales so close to us & a breach, but the amazing good fortune of them turning direction to swim right at us & right next to our boat!! Then as we were leaving to head back they got word of orcas, and detoured to see them which was extremely rare & so very special! There was also seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles & deer we spotted, and I guess can be pretty common to see bears along shore as well. So over all a truly one of kind experience very much worth doing!! In addition I did want to also note the co-pilot/captain/second hand(sorry forgot the official term). She was so passionate about wild life & loved how she didn’t have a script, or notes she’d referenced, but just spoke from knowledge, experience, place of passion and love for the animals.
Darryl
Jul 15, 2026
Great guide, grew up there, hunted all her life, and knew exactly where to go. Saw a large female by herself and then a mom/cub. Came to within 15’ of the van.
David D
Jul 14, 2026
What a great excursion! The crew is knowledgeable and helpful. The boat is clean and quiet . And most especially we saw dozens of and dozen of whales.
Kelly G
Jul 13, 2026
One of the best excursions we had on our Alaskan Adventure. Captain Denise was amazing. On our whale watching tour we spotted: eagles, black tail deer, a brown bear, sea otters, orcas, humpback, and grey whales! The naturalist highlighted the each species and their migration habits. The captain shared the history and stories of the Inuit people. This is a must do excursion when visiting Hoonah-Icy Straight!
Shastine K
Jul 10, 2026
Captain Denise brought us to see some amazing whales. She and the naturalist really knew their stuff and she shared some great stories from her ancestors.
Susan B
Jul 5, 2026
We booked this as an excursion for when our cruise landed in icy straights. Very well organized, easy to find. No concerns about getting back to cruise on time. The crew were good. We saw whales and orcas and sea lions
Ariel Nicole Albright
Jul 21, 2026
We had an AMAZING time hanging out with Captain Billy and his daughter. They were both knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful during our excursion. The weather was cold but their warm boat, The Silver Spoon, made for a cozy time on the water and was perfect for cruising around. We were able to go out on the front of the boat area for photos when we slowed down and they kept the inside nice and warm from us in between photo stops. Billy was funny and told many stories of his time growing up in the area. We enjoyed the tour from them very much. Beyond their excellent service towards us, the wildlife we encountered was phenomenal! We saw a pod of Orcas, sea lions, a bear and her cubs, and 3 humpback whales! One of the humpback whales put on an AMAZING show for us, dancing and jumping all around for 30+ minutes--I couldn't believe the photos I was able to capture! Excellent experience all the way around.
If you're looking to explore the Alaskan wilderness and get a firsthand look at the local wildlife, you've come to the right place! At Hoonah Travel Adventures, we believe life is too short not to fulfill it with adventures.
We invite you to take shore excursions near Port of Icy Strait in Hoonah Alaska and experience the native culture of Southeast Alaska. Our Icy Strait Shore Excursions will allow you to create memories you remember for a lifetime, with unexpected surprises along the way. You can expect to get a firsthand look at everything from brown bears to humpback whales while taking an Port of Icy Strait tour with one of our guides and coming home with plenty of stories to share.
With our Icy Strait Shore Excursions near Port of Icy Strait, you can book a kayak adventure, fishing tour, whale watching tour, and brown bear search for the experience of a lifetime.
Our Hoonah whale watching tour begins when we pick you up at the Port of Icy Strait Excursions Hub. We drive along Shaman Point to the Hoonah City Harbor where our charter boat is waiting. Along the way, you may spot some of our local wildlife, including bald eagles, blacktail deer, and more. Hoonah is home to the largest concentration of Alaskan brown bears in the world, so keep your eyes open! We then board the boat and leave Hoonah Harbor. While traveling along the shorelines, sightings of bears, deer, coastal ducks and geese, blue heron, puffin, terns, cormorants, and more are common. In the water, you may get a chance to spot humpbacks, orca, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, and seals. Large numbers of humpback whales come to Hoonah to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of Point Adolphus, Glacier Bay and Icy Strait every summer before migrating south again in the winter. The whale population begins to arrive in Hoonah in May and stays through September. Humpback whales are large baleen whales that can reach over 50 feet in length and weigh as much as 50 tons. They are most famous for their whale songs, thought to be used by males as a mating call. Humpbacks are amazingly active and typical whale sightings include diving, blows, and flukes (tails). Lucky whale watchers may get to see breaching or bubble-net feeding, a cooperative feeding method where a pod forms a circle and dives under the water. They blow air to create a wall of bubbles that force krill and plankton to the surface where the whales can eat them. Observing humpbacks practice bubble-net feeding is a real treat and a truly thrilling experience. We have a $100 whale sighting guarantee! If a whale is not sighted on your tour your will be credited $100.
Chichagof Island, or Shee Kaax, is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Alaska Panhandle. At 75 miles long and 50 miles wide, it has a land area of 2,048.61 square miles, making it the fifth largest island in the United States. Chichagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth and its dense rain forests are some of the last grizzly strongholds! The community of Hoonah, with a year-round population of approximately 750, is located in the northern part of Chichagof Island. The vast majority of the island is made up of pure, uninhabited Alaskan wilderness teeming with wildlife! The Ursus arctos, or brown bear, is the king of the forest, but Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, minks, martens, beavers, ducks, and seabirds thrive on the island and are sometimes spotted on this tour. This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is only offered May through September because those are the months that afford the highest probability of bear sightings. In late April and May, the bears are coming out of hibernation and looking for food. In June, the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase. In July, the salmon start their migration from the ocean up the rivers and we find the bears feeding in coastal rivers and streams. In August and September, the salmon have made it further up the rivers to shallow streams where the bears chase them. Depending on the month and the weather, the wildlife can be found in different locations throughout the island. Your guide spends a lot of time in the forest and knows where to look. Join us as we search for these amazing creatures! This tour is located on the Tongass National Forest under special use permit from the Forest Service, USDA. Hoonah Travel Adventures LLC is an equal opportunity provider.
Fishermen come from around the world to cast their lines in the waters of Southeast Alaska in search of halibut and salmon. Join the ranks of these traveling fisherman and book a trip with us today! On 02/03/2025 NOAA Fisheries released its 2025 regulations for halibut fishing, and there are some key changes affecting charter operations that you should be aware of: * One Retention Trip Per Day: To ensure the sustainability of the halibut population, charter operators are limited to one trip per day where halibut can be retained. (within size and bag limits, of course). * Additional Catch & Release Trips: We understand that many anglers enjoy the thrill of the fight even if they're not keeping the fish. Therefore, on days when we have a retention trip scheduled, we may also offer additional catch and release halibut fishing trips. These trips will provide all the excitement of hooking into these incredible fish, but any halibut caught must be released back into the ocean unharmed. * Tuesday: No Retention Day: Please note that Tuesday has been designated by NOAA Fisheries as a no retention day for halibut fishing. This means that no halibut can be kept on Tuesdays. We may still offer catch and release trips on Tuesdays, depending on demand.
The reasons to Kayak with us are endless! A few reasons might be to experience unspoiled nature and stunning scenery amid a mountainous back drop! Or simply the serenity and peace that speaks to ones soul while gliding silently across the water in this majestic, remote location.
Travel Adventures With The Top Guides
Hoonah is unique because it only has a population of 800 people but at times welcomes up to 10,000 cruise ship visitors, a day with open arms. We're experts when it comes to our Port of Icy Strait excursions and providing visitors with an in-depth look at Chichagof Island.
We have a variety of excursions and adventures available near Port of Icy Strait and as a veteran-owned small business, we're committed to providing our guests with unforgettable experiences that are thrilling and memorable.
We guarantee that you will have a great time on our excursions. We have a variety of activities to choose from, so you can find something that interests you.
We want you to learn about the places you visit on our excursions. Our guides are knowledgeable and can answer any questions you have. They will share insightful information about the places you see on your tour.
We know that you don't want to miss your ship's departure. We will make sure you are back on board in time. Everyone can relax and enjoy yourself.
Hoonah, Alaska, home of Port of Icy Strait is unique for its lush environment that has been well-preserved. The abundant wildlife makes it possible to run into different types of animals and spot mammals in the water each day during your visit, whether you spot bald eagles in the sky or get a firsthand look at a family of sea lions.
The spectacular beauty of Port of Icy Strait is why many people choose to visit the destination on an Alaska cruise. Many visitors arrive on cruise ships and enjoy an educational experience that allows them to learn more about the local area and the culture and society of the Tlingit Tribe.
Originally built as a salmon cannery in 1912, this destination now has a variety of attractions for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in a destination that is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Most frequent questions and answers
To receive a full refund guests may cancel up to 24hrs before the date of the experience. If for some reason your cruise ship does not make it to port, or we have to cancel due to weather, this would also be a 100% refund. No refund for cancelations less than 24hrs. This policy does not apply to Private Charters, please email for details.
Your health is our top priority! We have put special measures in place to keep all guests safe both during and after your activity. At this point in time, we are requiring employee’s and guests to wear a mask over the nose and mouth. Our staff are trained in first aid to provide extra care when needed. Stringent Cleaning – We’ve increased the frequency of disinfecting surfaces and high traffic areas during and between each tour. Aside from the increased cleaning above, our boats and vehicles are now deep cleaned at the end of each day. Hand sanitizer will be available to all of our guests. Wellness Checks – Employees receive daily wellness checks to ensure they are healthy and symptom-free. If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, we will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour.
Yes, all of our boats have a marine head on board.
Hoonah summer time weather can range from 45 degrees and raining to 75 degrees and sunny. We tell guest to plan for 50s & 60s, to dress in layers with a light packable rain layer. It is best to check the 10 day forecast online and pack accordingly.
We get this question a lot. The waters we operate in are usually pretty calm. If you are prone to seasickness we recommend Dramamine or a wristband. Over the years, less than 1% of our guests have gotten seasick.
We have guests that book up to a year in advance. We suggest you book as soon as you are able as many tours do sell out.
If your ship is docked at the Adventure Dock, proceed ashore to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. Once inside the Adventure Center walk through the building and exit through door number “2”. (This is clearly marked above the door). Follow the signs on the gravel path to the Excursion Hub. The total walking time is 6-8 minutes, please allow extra time if you are not a fast walker. We ask that you check in for your tour 15 minutes early and we leave on time. If your ship is docked at the Wilderness Dock, walk all they way up the dock and to the right. Ride the FREE Green Transporter Gondola(4 minute ride). Exit the Gondola and go left, follow the signs on the gravel path to the Excursion Hub, a 3 minute walk.
Yes, unfortunately we need a minimum number of 8 passengers to operate. If we run into this situation we do everything we can to rebook guests on another departure of with another operator with their permissoin.
July 27, 2026
Your homework as a parent when traveling to Hoonah with kids is finding fun, age-appropriate shore excursions. That's easier said than done once you r...
Read More: Traveling To Hoonah With Kids: What Age Is Right For Which Tour?
June 2, 2026
Few places on earth let you watch brown bears from shore in the morning, spot humpback whales breaching at midday, and fish for record-breaking halibu...
Read More: Humpback Whales, Brown Bears & Halibut - The Ultimate Guide To Wildlife Tours In Hoonah
May 6, 2026
Your ship is stopping at Icy Strait Point, and if you haven’t heard much about it yet, you’re about to become very glad it’s on your itinerary. This i...
Read More: Icy Strait Point Cruise Port - Your Pre-Arrival Guide To Hoonah Alaska
