Shore Excursions Near Icy Strait Point In Hoonah Alaska
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 Icy Strait Point in Hoonah Alaska and experience the native culture of Southeast Alaska. Our Icy Strait Point 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 Icy Strait Point tour with one of our guides and coming home with plenty of stories to share.
With our shore excursions near Icy Strait Point, you can book a kayak adventure, fishing tour, whale watching tour, and brown bear search for the experience of a lifetime.
Explore our activities
Guaranteed Whale Watching in the Icy Strait Point, Alaska Area
Our Hoonah whale watching tour begins when we pick you up at the Icy Strait Point 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.
Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search
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.
Icy Strait Fishing Adventure
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!
Icy Strait Kayak Adventure
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.
Chichagof Island Birding & Nature Adventure
In the lush vegetation of Chichagof Island, near Hoonah, Alaska, where Brown Bears outnumber humans, birding is an adventure! Your expert bird guide is also a naturalist, and you will learn about the natural and human history of the area, the plants, animals, fish, forests, and rivers. Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles, Varied Thrushes, Steller’s Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Red-breasted Sapsuckers are some of the favorites, but this is so much more than just another birding tour. Come experience the vibrant ecological web created here, in Hoonah, Alaska, near Icy Strait Point where the towering temperate forests of Chichagof Island tangle with the rich marine life of Icy Strait.
Why choose us?
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 Icy Strait Point excursions and providing visitors with an in-depth look at Chichagof Island.
We have a variety of excursions and adventures available near Icy Strait Point and as a veteran-owned small business, we're committed to providing our guests with unforgettable experiences that are thrilling and memorable.
Fun
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.
Informative
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.
Back to Ship on Time Guaranteed
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.
Words from our customers
We booked this whale watching adventure on the recommendation of a FB user. What a wonderful experience! Our captain, Paul, was so knowledgeable and shared so much information about the local town, the sea, the whales as well as seals and otters. We saw many whales on our trip. Don't hesitate to book with this group. You won't be disappointed! It was one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska.
Jill Chiascione
27th October 2022
Excellent guide very knowledgeable saw orca and hump backs and a variety of other sea animals on this very entertaining boat excursion
jackiestevens12022
8th October 2022
We had an awesome day with Luke. He was very personable and showed us all over the island. Would defiantly recommend him for any excision. We’ll worth the money.
Roberta T
27th September 2022
Hoonah Travel provided the transportation to and from our cruise ship to our whale watching tour. They were very friendly, prompt and attentive. The best thing though was their store as we bought most of our t-shirts and souvenirs here. They had the best selection and was a lot cheaper than everywhere else.
Roger Ailshie
27th September 2022
Loved our whale watching trip. We saw several whales, along with sea lions, sea otters, unusual birds and much, much more. Our guide was great and very knowlegable and was not in a hurry to end our trip. He went out of his way to show us a lot of sites and tell us all about what we were seeing. Would love to go again! Well worth the cost.
Pam H.
27th September 2022
This was a lovely tour. Our tour guide Denise was amazing and shared so much history and stories from her own personal and family experience growing up in the area. The view was spectacular and we did see whales, sea lions and sea otters.
Sharon Thomson
27th September 2022
Denise, our captain was awesome! She shared history of Hoonah and her heritage with us. We sighted bear, orcas, otters, sea lions, deer and so many birds! Definitely an amazing day! My husband and I highly recommend them. We truly enjoyed our day.
Shawna Lewis
27th September 2022
A wonderful tour - Our guide was native to the area and was an experienced hunter so she had an amazing ability to scout for wildlife. We weren't lucky spot bears at our first stop on the bridge but then our guide took us to another location and spotted a bear lounging in the grass across the lake. We were able to stay there and enjoy watching the bear stroll into the lake to take a drink, then bath him/herself and then fish for salmon. The bear really put on a great show for us. She really did make every effort to find the wildlife and for that we are very appreciative.
Lissa Sholty
27th September 2022
This was such an amazing adventure. The captain and crew were so interesting to listen to. We saw Orcas, AND humpback whales. Such a FABULOUS time.
Elaine Hicken
27th September 2022
We had an excellent whale & nature watching adventure in Hoonah & the Icy Strait area. The team was very friendly and knowledgeable about the local wildlife. The team also safely navigated the waters and were able to spot wildlife quickly.
Tom Salerno
27th September 2022
Our captain/tour guide was awesome, he was so informative, and friendly We were very fortunate to see a mother and her calf, Sea lions and seals and sea otters Would highly recommend
Amy McCoy
27th September 2022
The whale tour on the Tail Chaser was super informative and fun. Saw alot of wild life.
Ariana Drobet
27th September 2022
Denise was awesome. We really enjoyed having her as our guide.
Elizabeth Kruger
27th September 2022
Had a fabulous time whale watching. Found this your through Facebook as another tour was booked. The staff were wonderful. Shared a lot of history during the tour and many wonderful stories. We’re able to see seven different whales for just about the whole trip. Also saw porpoises, otters and an upclose encounter with sea lions. Boat was very comfortable and updated. Offered blankets to anyone that was cold. Had a viewing deck on the front and back and the enclosed sections had windows that opened wide for viewing and photo taking.
Jeremy Hayes
27th September 2022
Our whale watching trip ended with 6 huge whales continuously surfing up, blowing air, flipping tails, right in front of us! How does it get better than that?! Really enjoyed the intelligent conversations with captain Paul. He has such a rich life story and is definitely one of the most interesting men we've ever met. Worth every penny.
Xinxin Li
27th September 2022
Our Tlingit guide was an amazing wealth of knowledge on our tour. She was an excellent host sharing her family's stories. She worked together with other boats to help us find the perfect spots for whale watching. We saw about 5 whales, including one that went under our boat. We were also able to hear them sing. She also took us to see sea lions and we were able to see many birds and a couple sea otters. It was such a wonderful tour and well worth the money.
Betheny L
27th September 2022
Great experience and terrific captain
Joe Carroll
27th September 2022
The company was kind enough to change our tour time when we found out after boarding our cruise ship that we were arriving at a later time.Our tour guide shared great information about the area and was adept at finding the whales. We were lucky to see a humpback in addition to a good number of orcas, as well as sea lions.We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend Hoonah Travel Tours. The day was very professionally organized.
Lori B
23rd September 2022
Leroy picked us up at Ward Cove terminal early and we were on our way to Bight Park Totem Park for a very informative tour. Leroy has certainly mastered talking and walking backwards very well. He was honest when there was information he didn't know, and didn't try and bs his way though, which I liked. We then continued on a lovely bus journey, where Leroy did his best to avoid the holes in the road. We reached Harriet Hunt Lake safely, donned safety outfits, and jumped into our canoe for our journey across the lake. On reaching the camp site, we were met by a lovely guy whose name I forgot to ask, and enjoyed some bread with salmon mix and jam. Leroy took us into the forest where he definitely did not tell us to eat the skunk cabbage. We returned to the canoe, across the lake to the van, and back to the dock in great time. All the way through Leroy was amusing, charming, and knowledgeable. He told us that he is much better than Heidi, Rose, Doren, or Ed, although I have never met these people. I can only hope it's not true.This is by far the most fun excursion I did on my cruise, and I haven't laughed so much for some time. Thank you Leroy and congratulations on your promotion and pay rise.
Matthew R
21st September 2022
Did this tour yesterday and really didn’t disappoint !! The skipper/guide was fantastic in both knowledge and humour …. His name escapes me but he was some sort of superhero . Apart from being a first class skipper he was the local fire officer , arson investigator and ley preacher. Used to be a policeman ……. All that was missing from this bloke was a cape !!!We went out from the harbour on what seemed a brand new boat that could knock out 40knots and we started following a pod of humpback whales … all looking fab….. and then the fog came in. Couldn’t see a thing ….. no need to worry with Alaska man at the wheel he got right on the radio and zoomed through the fog at a zillion miles an hour . When we came out of the fog…. Hey ho…. A pod of killer whales !!! I really did well not to wet myself I was so excited !!!Stayed around the pod for 30 minutes and then had to get back ….. totally amazing !!! Saw a load of sea otters on the way back but I got the impression they weren’t his best friends … kill too many crabs apparently and this bloke loves crabs !!!!!!Got back to the harbour safely and totally exhilarated. See LionsHumpback WhalesKiller whalesSea ottersThanks for a great tour !!!!
mrphilbye
19th September 2022
Wonderful experience on a nice comfortable clean boat. We where fortunate and saw humpback whales, killer whales, otters and seals.
George H
19th September 2022
Booked this directly with Hoonah as an excursion from our Princess Cruise at Icy Strait Point. Shuttle was super convenient to pick us up after you ride green gondola from cruise terminal. Boat was awesome with (3) 4 stroke Suzuki motors and heated interior...sat about 50 people. Captain was ridiculously knowledgeable and entertaining. Saw sea otters, sea lions, and of course whales! Highly recommend for an excursion from cruise port.
TravelMonkey05
16th September 2022
We have used this coming twice and their customer service is excellent. We were lucky to have Captains Paul both time he has a wealth of stories and knowledge Can highly recommend this company
lynne52
16th September 2022
We went whale watching with our guide Denise. It is on the top of my list as my favorite things we did. We saw whales, even say a couple of Orca Whales. Denise was a great guide with lots of information and lots of great stores. I will do this one again if I ever get to come back...and I sure hope I do. Love it and thanks again for making our trip well (whale) LOL worth it.
Cheryl
15th September 2022
We saw dozens of orcas and a few hump backs. The captain and crew taught us so much. Their passion is obvious and infectious. I loved every minute.
Rebecca B
15th September 2022
We have been to Alaska many times but this was the first time to visit Icy Strait Point! We booked a bear sighting excursion with some locals as our guides! They had hoped to get a earlier start to our trip than scheduled but it didn’t happen! Beautiful land and surroundings and we were told great stories of the land and of their families! We went to many places and saw the left over salmon from the bears after they ate but while we waited we didn’t see any. On our way to another place we came a round a corner and a Mama bear and her cub were right in front of us running to get off the road to hide in the forest! Needless to say no one was prepared and got a picture but we saw them! Beautiful place and friendly locals!
Vicki B
12th September 2022
Wonderful excursion led by Cora, a native of Hoonah. She found a bear within the first half hour of the excursion. It was a magical experience; we were the only tour bus there so there were maybe 8 people total. We safely observed the bear from a bridge and watched her catch a fish then she ambled away. We saw one other bear toward the end of the trip but from much farther away. Bring binoculars!!
Ramona G
10th September 2022
We were at Hoonah due to a change in our cruise itinerary which really disappointed my husband and I. Booked a whale watching tour to have something to do...OMG AM I GLAD WE DID! Within minutes of arriving at our destination we were surrounded by whales. The naturalist on board said it was a young male humpback and did he ever put on a show for about 30 minutes breaching, diving, splashing and pounding his fins! It was an amazing experience and the best excursion we had on our 7 day cruise!
2GAretiredtravelers
10th September 2022
Great tour. We got there early and they let us go out on an earlier boat that had some open spots. This was great because the weather got bad later in the day and our original time had to be canceled. We saw a mother and baby humpback whale. Amazing!
379jonathan
10th September 2022
Our gude was Cora, a native of the island. Not only did she put us on a female Coastal Brown Bear 20 minutes into the search who we watched for the next 20 minutes as she ambled down the river and under the bridge feasting on salmon, but she told us many stories of her hunting, bear encounters and her way of life on the island. GRATITUDE, Cora. Thank you for sharing your world with us.
Marilyn S
6th September 2022
Amazing experience, nice and knowledgeable tour guide/driver. She took us to a bridge from which we saw a few brown bears getting into the river to catch fish. Awesome experience. We saw a couple of deer too. I only wish we had had more time.
giely
6th September 2022
Boat Captain worked hard to find us humpbacks which he did and also took us to see a brown bear on shore. No breaching of whales was seen, but got good tail photos for definitive ID of exactly which humpback we saw. No orcas were seen this trip. Marine biologist Carson provided interesting information on marine mammals. At end of trip we saw Stellar sealions on a buoy and sea otters playing in the kelp. I would go again! Bring a camera with a telephoto lens if possible for best photos.
jd cowsar
3rd September 2022
Amazing whale watching tour - great captain and loved the fact that a marine biologist was on board to explain what we were seeing and what to expect based on the observed whale behaviors. We even witnessed a bubble feed!
Jennifer M
2nd September 2022
Our boat captain was Denise (25 years experience in Alaska's Marine Highway ferry system) and she was just the best! Really enjoyed her narration. The experience was a very fun and relaxing one independent of how many whales were out there.. The landscape and water is incredibly beautiful.
Person25
2nd September 2022
We booked this excursion last minute after our original booking cancelled on us two days before. The booking staff was so helpful at accommodating our group. Greg was our guide and was so knowledgeable about the area and wildlife and was very entertaining. The scenery was beautiful and as a cherry on top, we saw three bears! I’d highly recommend this tour if you want to get off the beaten path and have a chance to see these magnificent animals in the wild.
Brittany S
1st September 2022
Had a great drive to the river area with Cora! (Kora?) She had a great sense of humor and was incredibly knowledgeable about all the creatures we saw. We got to see three bear sows (females) and tons of jumping salmon! I wasn’t expecting to see any bears but was really excited to get a glimpse of a few. I would definitely recommend the experience!
Rachel F
31st August 2022
Our whale watching excursion was definitely one of the highlights of an incredible Alaska cruise. Captain Denise shared much interesting information on her native culture and history on the way out to find the whales that was informative and enjoyable. Then we found a large pod of whales and witnessed the "netting" process three times. A once in a lifetime experience that left us in awe. The boat was very comfortable with plenty of room inside and out to see all the wildlife. The shuttle service from Icy Strait Point to the marina for the excursion was great as well. Would definitely recommend a tour with Hoonah Travel Adventures.
Joe L
31st August 2022
Captain Paul, Carson and Brandon were fantastic guides! We saw a grizzly bear at the beach which eagle eye Carson spotted! Also saw bald eagles, sea lions and of course lots of whales! It was great seeing an adolescent whale play in the sea vegetation and then see its mother up close! Captain Paul was extremely knowledgeable, he truly has a love for the area!
D_and_B617
30th August 2022
Forgive me if I got the names wrong, but Captain David was amazing to get the boat near whale pods. We saw Orca and Humpback. Some Sea Lions, too. The Marine Biologist (Morgan?) was very informative. Overall a great experience!
Mark
27th August 2022
While there cannot be any guarantees on the appearance of wildlife during a tour, we truly lucked out. We saw orca, humpback, otters, seals and seal lions. Captain Paul and his crew were excellent sources of information and a complete pleasure to deal with. The boat is very comfortable and should inspire confidence even in someone whose a bit worried while on the water. Highly recommended.
Rob
27th August 2022
Wonderful whale watching excursion. Guide and crew was lots of fun and full of information. We were able to see whales and seals.
Theresa St John
27th August 2022
Our guide was great! We saw 2 big brown bears! Would go again !!!
Darry Piper
27th August 2022
Great whale watching tour. Captain Dave was interesting and funny, and we learned so much about life in Alaska. Saw quite a few whales and sea lions. A great experience and would recommend this company
joan Sutton
27th August 2022
Fun tour, lots of stories from the captain. We saw a couple whales and lots of other animals, including bears, seals, and sea otters. They were considerate of our time and got us back with plenty of time to get back to our cruise ship without feeling rushed.
Matt Baker
27th August 2022
What a knowledgeable staff and captain! We followed a group of humpback whales that were bubble feeding, then off to follow the killer whale! He got us so close to sea lions sunning them selves on a buoy. It was awesome and got some amazing pictures along with a great education. A must do! This was a last minute decision and a good one! Smaller boat so plenty of room for everyone to walk around and enjoy the sights
Charlene Townsend
27th August 2022
We had an amazing experience. Our boat captain was super knowledgable and personable. We sons TONS of whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and even a momma bear with cubs. A marine biologist was part of the crew and answered questions and gave us tons of facts on the wildlife. Highly recommend!
Alexis Sloan
27th August 2022
This excursion, a bear search, was the one I looked most forward to, and it did not disappoint! Our guide, Greg, was so knowledgeable and showed us a great time! It was better than any of Norwegian’s excursions and half the price! The maximum number of people that could’ve gone was 8, but just me and my friend were on this adventure! We saw many bears and several were salmon fishing which was a bonus! Thank you Hoonah Travel Adventures!
Anita Barker
27th August 2022
Really great experience. Very knowledgeable captain. He shared a lot of information about the state, the island, the people and the wildlife. We saw whales, sea lions, otters, harbor porpoises and even a couple of bears out on the shore.
Jennifer Dodson
27th August 2022
From start to finish this was an amazing trip. The town of Hoonah is so quaint and not crazy-touristy. We were picked up by van and taken to the boat (Chaising Tail) where we were greeted by the Captain and 2 marine biologists. The captain was very informative and had lots of insider knowledge on the town and the whales (and other sea animals in the area. His assistants had lots of valuable infomation to share. It didn't hurt that we happen to see a lot of active whales, whichade the trip especially interesting and fun. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip.
colette nutton
27th August 2022
The Captain was great
Edward Baker
27th August 2022
What an amazing time... the excursion was perfect, the crew amazing and so knowledgeable. Not only did we see several whales up close, we saw bears, eagles and several sea lions. We also got a first hand history of the island from our guides and captain. So happy that we booked this with Hoonah Travel Adventures when we were unable to find a spot through our cruise line. Definitely something you need to add to your list when visiting. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Donna Mount
27th August 2022
Crew was so knowledgeable and informative. Saw lots of whale activity. It was an awesome whale viewing adventure. Loved every minute. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Rebecca Woodson
27th August 2022
If your cruise goes to Icy Strait Point, be sure to book a whale watching excursion with Hoonah Adventure Travel. Our boat captain, Paul, was a wealth of knowledge about the local wildlife and did a great job navigating our boat out to some humpback whales. We also saw sea otters, sea lions and even a brown bear! The boat itself had comfortable bench style seats and was cozy enough inside the cabin so that we didn’t freeze.
Margee Nutting
27th August 2022
Greg was a great guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our day with him. Got to see 5 bears, including a mother with 2 cubs!!! Great experience!!!
Linda
27th August 2022
Great time! Our Captain's knowledge and history made this one of our favorite excursions! Then we went and had an amazing lunch that was suggested by another captain.
janice
27th August 2022
Wonderful, exciting and very informative excursion. We saw a wide variety of wild life, including whales
Evonne Szydlowski
27th August 2022
We did the Bear and Wilderness Tour with Greg Garcia, and it was the BEST time. The shuttles were on time and quick, staff were all friendly from the arrival, staff to the tour guides, and to the bus drivers. They were all great and memorable. The tour itself with Greg was amazing, I recommend booking with him. His knowledge of Hoonah, its nature, and its history really ties together the search and the success that we had searching for Bears. We were able to see 7 bears when we went out! Greg is an all around great guy to talk to and the Tour was just Awesome! Thanks Greg and thank you Hoonah Travel Adventure for an amazing day!
Timothy Lee
27th August 2022
Great experience! Saw whales about 10 feet away!
Neil Kawaguchi
27th August 2022
Angie at Hoonah Travel Adventures is a testament to excellent customer service! As a team player for supporting Hoonah local economy and business she was able to accommodate 3 absent minded clients who made a terrible mistake and waited at the wrong pickup point for a scheduled tour. This was a non refundable tour if not cancelled within 24 hours. Angie instead ensured our time in Hoonah was spent exploring the island instead of wallowing in our foolish mistake by finding another tour guide from a different agency!! It is not often you find this type of selfless behavior in business and I will never forget what Angie did. I will not only laud Hoonah Travel Adventures for being such an ethical and community conscience business but acts such as these must be paid forward. I recommend Hoonah Travel Adventures because Angie is AWESOME!!!! Thank you for making our time in Hoonah memorable and fun despite our embarrassing folly.
Charlene L
26th August 2022
Great leadershipExtremely knowledgeable staffGreat customer serviceBest pricesWe saw tones of whales up close and we saw them come up to feed.
vcaceres2022
25th August 2022
Whale watching with David was the most amazing fun my family had on our cruise! Within minutes of going out we saw a pod of whales, and even got to see 3 of them breach at different times. One breached near some kayakers, tipping them over into the water. What an amazing site to see. We highly recommend Hoonah Travel Adventures. David is very knowledgeable and loves answering any questions and educational.
dabucs28
23rd August 2022
We had an amazing time and saw tons of whales! Our crew made it very personable and entertaining! I can’t remember the captions name but his crew was Carson and Brandon. They did a fantastic job and got us super close to see some whales!!
Christian Y
23rd August 2022
We had an uncomparable experience with this tour provider! The amount in information was awesome, we saw soooo many whales, otter and sea lions! Top notch boat, great and personal crew, really a must DO
Wander29229165086
23rd August 2022
Captain Dave was so interesting and helped us understand life in Alaska.. He was so funny. Saw quite a few whales sea lions etc. Very memorable tour and highly recommend
JO.S
23rd August 2022
We didn't have advance reservations, they were able to accommodate 6 of us. Great working with their office. The Capitan of the boat was extremely knowledgeable of the area and took us straight to the Orcas and Humpbacks. Great viewing, fun time and the crew was excellent, Highly recommended.
Cliff C
22nd August 2022
I didn't think whale watching would be fun! Boy was I wrong. Our excursion was awesome. We had captain Paul and two helpers. We saw so many whales and about 5 orca's. The boat was comfortable and you could spend time inside or outside. Paul was super informative and knows everything about Hoonah. We are a family of 5 with 3 young adult girls and it was fantastic. The owners were also super with the reservation. Highly recommend!!
mommy3girls
20th August 2022
Hoonah Travel did a fantastic job taking us to watch the whales on our recent excursion while in Alaska. The crew was so knowledgeable and shared so much information on how they feed, etc. I would definitely recommend Hoonah Travel if you want to go on a whale watching adventure. They are the BEST!!
bwoodson828
20th August 2022
Very well organized, beautiful scenery, our captain (Paul) and crew were very pleasant and knowledgeable and made this an unforgettable excursion!
GST17
20th August 2022
Great adventure. We not only saw whales. We saw them bubble feeding numerous times and we also saw whales breach the water 4 times. Once swamping a kayak.
ralphneff2
20th August 2022
So glad we booked this adventure for our family of 5 (including a teenage daughter and college-age sons) Paul and Carson were great hosts. Captain Paul was such a great storyteller and ambassador for the Hoonah area. We learned so much and equally important he led us to lots of whales! We got great pictures. I’m usually a little seasick on smaller boats but felt no issues (did take Bonine as a precaution) the inside of the boat was a comfortable temperature and we were able to go outside to take pictures when we arrived at viewing areas. We had a great day! Thank you Hoonah adventures!
free19982022
20th August 2022
Unfortunately, my husband and I could not take the whale watching tour because he got COVID and we could not board the cruise ship. This organization was so very understanding and responsive, and refunded our money almost immediately. Our son, who had not been with us prior to the cruise, was able to take the tour; and in his words, "it was amazing!" We hope to return for a do-over of our cruise, and will be sure to schedule a whale watching tour with Hoonah Travel Adventures. These are good people!
TexasNana113
20th August 2022
The process from pick-up to return was efficient and easy. Flawless execution. The boat crew were friendly, knowledgeable and a lot of fun. They asked what we were interested in seeing and made it possible. If/when we return, will definitely book again.
W B
20th August 2022
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We saw so many whales, bears, sea lions, sea otters, porpoise, and more!
Patty H
16th August 2022
Start to finish, this is the whale watching trip I:d recommend to anyone. This was just a short trip into Hoonah to the boat "Chasing Tail". The boat is fairly intimate, with maybe room for 20ish people. The waters are quite beautiful and perfect for whale watching. We were incredibly lucky to see tons of whales, (and seals). Staff is very knowledgeable and pleasant. Five stars!
colette n
16th August 2022
What a wonderful team and awesome experience, and So Many Whales!!!!!Thanks for a wonderful time, hope to visit wish you again
gerard222022
13th August 2022
wonderful guides; personal service; easy adventure from the cruise ship. One of the highlights of our alaska week!
Debbie G
13th August 2022
We traveled to hoonah on a last minute itinerary change for our cruise, and we bummed when we missed all the excursions on our ship due to them selling out. Luckily we stumbled upon this place and are so glad we did! They were amazing, nice locally owned tour the guide was very personable and shared family stories, local insight and was overall amazing. It was a nice 16 person tour rather than the big ships that you have to fight for a view. The guide surprised us with some other wonderful sights to see, overall we were very happy with our whale watching!
robertmstates
12th August 2022
I was a bit hesitant to book this trip because of the cost, but I'm so glad I did! I have gone whale watching several times, and this was the best experience by far. My communication with the company ahead of time was helpful and pleasant, and the representative at the cruise port was efficient, helpful, and timely.We had a very engaging captain, a small boat (only 12 of us), and we saw literally dozens of whales on our two hour ride. I happened to leave something on the boat and noticed it after disembarking, and the employees not only found my item but delivered it to the cruise port for me! 5 stars!
travelerKristenB
12th August 2022
We had an amazing time seeing bears and whales. Our guides did an amazing job. The ride was comfortable and warm. Highly recommended
Tim P
11th August 2022
Our family of 5 had a great time. Paul was a wealth of info and we saw plenty of humpbacks as well as otters and sealions. We had rain and rough seas, but that just added to the adventure. Definitely recommended.
Jon Luminati
10th August 2022
We attended the whale watching tour last week and it was awesome! The crew was knowledgeable and friendly and we were lucky to see a huge pod of orcas, had a close encounter with a huge humpback, and saw marine animals, fish and birds. Great experience!
1SouthsideGirl
9th August 2022
We went whale watching with Paul and Carson and had a blast! We saw tons of humpback whales, otters and sea lions - practically non-stop action. Paul was a great captain - super knowledgeable about whales and the local area. He was very engaging and k eq exactly what he was doing. The boat had a heated cabin so you could stay dry and warm (we had great weather) and the step out onto the bow or stern to catch the action. Paul positioned the boat so everyone could see what was going on. Great trip - highly recommended!
daddyo-2
8th August 2022
My husband and I were blown away by this experience! We signed up for this trip to see whales (which we did!) but we also saw sea otters, harbor seals, jumping salmon, bald eagles and bears. Our captain and his mates provided us with a great time and a lot of information about their hometown and way of life. When we talked with other people who went on different trips while in Hoonah, it was easy to see that we picked the best trip to take. Thank you for a terrific experience! Tip: bring your binoculars so you can see bears on shore
lwood836
8th August 2022
PAul did a great job piloting the boat we went whale watching on. He had great narratives about the area we were in for finding whales and other interesting information about the town of Hoonah.
Barry A
8th August 2022
Got to see humpbacks and orcas close enough to hear them breathe when they came up. Multiple views with good camera shots. Highly recommend
Voyager32222868922
7th August 2022
This is an excellent whale watching experience! It was a rough day, but our guide kept us comfortable and safe and communicated with the other boats in the area to help find the whale's location. She also taught us a lot about the local residents and showed us other sites and wildlife in the harbor. Highly recommend!
Cap87
7th August 2022
We saw LOTS of whales and our captain was incredibly knowledgeable. Him and his assistant were very knowledgeable and attentive to guests. I highly recommend this tour.
Jeremy F
7th August 2022
Great guides. They were very knowledgeable and found multiple whales (even got to see one "netting" with bubbles to feed. Also saw sea otters and sea lions. Great tour. Boat was comfortable and not over crowded as well.
John E
6th August 2022
We had a fabulous time. Saw probably 15 whales and our tour guide/ crew was amazing. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Do not miss out!!!!!
Grace P
2nd August 2022
We went on a whale watching excursion and had a great time. Denise was our captain and Brandon was our deckhand. They were very informative and told us all sorts of interesting info about the whales. We saw lots of whales, sea otters and seals. The boat was in great shape and had plenty of room inside and out to see all the wildlife. The shuttle service from Icy Strait Point to the marina for the excursion was great as well. Very organized and all of our drivers were great - including the owner of the company who we chatted with for a bit on our ride back. Would definitely take another tour with Hoonah Travel Adventures.
David G
1st August 2022
We booked this whale watching tour on our own while on the cruise ship. Having done two similar tours in Juneau on prior trips to Alaska, Hoonah is a much better place for whale watching. There will be up to 60 boats out in Juneau at the same time. In Hoonah, there might be six max. The key to a good experience is being on a small boat with no more than ten or twenty people so you can quickly move to the whales as they're spotted. This tour is exactly that. We had 16 people while the other two near us had around 60. This tour is the way to do it. We say an epic number of whales over the course of a couple of hours. Hoonah is awesome for this tour.
Lance T
31st July 2022
Captain Paul and staff were excellent. We saw so many whales, sea loins and sea otters. He explained so much about the area, animals and living in Alaska . It was much cheaper that the NCL shore excursion.
Julie S
30th July 2022
Whale watching with Captain Paul was amazing! We are so glad we did whale watching with this tour company. We learned so much about life in Hoonah, and saw amazing sights, not just whales! We got so much more than expected! We recommend skipping the touristy options at Icy Strait, and experiencing the REAL Alaska with Hoonah Travel Adventures. My only regret is not having booked the bear search the same day, because it was sold out when we tried to go. Hopefully we make it back someday and tour with you again! Excellent experience!
Melissa C
29th July 2022
After reading prior reviews I called to enquire if Captain Denise would be working when we wanted to go. There was 4 of us in our party and the captain told us a little bit of history about the area tribes while we went out to see the whales and, on the way, back. We had the pleasure of spotting several whales that day. It was really overcast and rainy, but you just can't plan on the weather in Alaska. The only downside of the trip is the bow is very small and they only allow 6 people on it at a time. I felt a little guilty staying. If you want pictures you have to go to the bow. If you don't want pictures inside is warm and the windows are large for viewing.
Jo1665
29th July 2022
We loved our whale watching excursion with Hoonah Travel Adventures! Our captain was so knowledgeable about the area and the local wildlife. We saw a whole bunch of humpback whales bubble net feeding, and our boat was regularly getting repositioned to get us the very best views and experience. This was a smaller boat that only held about 30 passengers. Would definitely recommend!
662chrissy
28th July 2022
Icy Strait Point Is An Outdoor Playground For Adults
Hoonah, Alaska, home of Icy Strait Point 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 Icy Strait Point 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Gratuities are never expected, but always appreciated if your crew or guide did a great job!
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