Traveling To Hoonah With Kids: What Age Is Right For Which Tour?

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 realize that Southeast Alaska offers so many different experiences that are better for some ages and interests compared to others.

Not all shore excursions are created equal when you've got a toddler, tween, or teenager in tow. The quick answer from someone who knows this world is that whale watching tours work well for nearly any age, halibut and salmon fishing trips are best for kids 8+, longer hikes and quests for bear sightings suit kids 10+.

There's another truth to contend with as you plan Icy Strait shore excursions. If you're visiting as cruise passengers, limited port days mean picking the right tour matters to get the best value for your buck. Hoonah's mix of easy-access wildlife viewing and flexible shuttle options makes it one of the more family-friendly stops in Alaska once you know the tricks to plan this right.

Icy Strait's family tours are built to work for grandparents, parents, and kids alike. In this post, we reveal the best kid-friendly things to do at Icy Strait Point for different ages. We'll walk you through what works best for toddlers, elementary-age kids, and teens, so you can jump straight to the age group that matters most to your family.

What To Consider Before Booking A Family Excursion In Hoonah

As your mind turns to the fun waiting on Icy Strait excursions, it's important to factor in what you already know about your crew. We're talking about routines, temperaments, and the like. Here's a checklist for determining the shore excursions that work for your crew:

• Trip length - If you're planning a trip with toddlers, consider things like nap schedules when planning your excursion. As a parent, your ability to actually relax while taking in unspoiled nature can be greatly diminished if you're dealing with a fussy little one. Luckily, there are many short excursions that cover a lot within what will probably be a big enough window between naps.

• Motion sensitivity - Have your children ever been on a smaller boat before? Younger children are sometimes more sensitive to the motions of waves. This can cause seasickness or general discontentment on the water. The good news is that your voyage on a cruise ship to get here will probably provide a good sample of what to expect. However, you should also remember that boats used for shore excursions are substantially smaller compared to cruise ships. This can exacerbate motion sensitivity.

• Physical demands - The journey during a shore excursion can include walking, standing, and withstanding cold and damp conditions. For parents, trips that involve long walks can mean holding a child for the duration if you're coming with a toddler. Also think about how well each family member handles being cold or wet for a few hours.

• Attention span vs. tour length - At Hoonah Travel Adventures, most of our Icy Strait shore excursions last around three hours. This is a sweet spot for most families because it provides good value, thorough experiences, and the ability to feel like you saw everything without spending a full day in a rugged environment.

• Bathroom access - Some "rugged" shore excursions more than live up to their name by asking guests to head out on the water or trek into the wilderness without bathroom access. Always ask about bathroom access when booking. Fortunately, all of our boats here have a marine head on board.

• Cruise ship return-time pressure - If you're maximizing your time in Icy Strait Point while your cruise ship is docked, you may be worried about getting back on time. We cater to cruise passengers who are squeezing every last minute out of port time. That's why we have a guaranteed on-time pickup to reduce stress for parents traveling with children.

• Tour priorities - Our family-friendly tours keep walking to a minimum and stick close to van access, so it's comfortable for every age.

Pro Tip: When visiting Hoonah with kids, choose tours that have flexible schedules and bathrooms nearby to keep everyone happy. Dress in layers and bring some motion sickness medicine just in case to make the trip easier for your family.

Toddlers & Young Kids (Ages 2–6)

For this tender age, it's all about prioritizing the sites that are going to have the biggest impact without overwhelming your little one. In our experience, families with children in this age group have the best experiences with excursions that include short wildlife viewing, gentle boat rides, downtown Hoonah exploration, and whale watching.

For children under age 6, we generally advise against long fishing charters, strenuous hikes, and tours with limited restroom access.

Did we mention that our Return Anytime Shuttle Pass is a parent's best friend at this age? You have the option to explore Hoonah or get back to the ship if a meltdown starts taking the fun out of the experience. Hoonah also has a state of the art playground in the harbor area to satisfy the most rambunctious of kids!

As you prepare for an excursion with a kid between age 2 and 6 in tow, we recommend layering up clothes, packing a few snacks, and adding some motion-sickness remedies to your kit just in case.

Fun Fact: Whale watching here is special because humpback whales visit Hoonah every summer to munch on krill and small fish in the rich waters of Icy Strait and Glacier Bay before migrating south to Hawaii for warmer breeding waters.

Good To Know: We recommend booking popular tours ahead of time, especially during peak season. Many of our tour sell out moinths in advance! Whale watching runs from May through September, and every tour comes with a sightings guarantee — if you don't see a whale, you'll get a $100 credit.

Young Kids & Early Elementary (Ages 7–12)

Kids this age have longer attention spans and more natural curiosity, so slightly longer tours become both doable and enjoyable. With that said, we still recommend avoiding advanced fishing or long backcountry hikes until children get a little older. The good news is that excursions that work for this age are also parent favorites.

For example, our popular Guaranteed Whale Watching Near Icy Strait Point excursion offers an incredible wildlife experience that combines a journey out to the humpback whales with high potential for also spotting orcas, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and more types of wildlife! This is a sweet spot for parents managing expectations from children who really want to see wildlife!

Another great option for this age range is our iconic Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search on Chichagof Island. This excursion brings guests to a pocket of pure Alaskan wilderness home to one of the densest brown bear populations on Earth. In addition to offering the best way to see bears in Alaska, our excursion also routinely reveals Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, minks, martens, beavers, ducks, and seabirds. Do note that this excursion is for ages 8 and up unless you're booking a private charter.

We bring these Icy Strait Point excursions to life for children and parents through the expertise of our local guides. Our guides have the knowledge about bears and other types of wildlife, storytelling skills, and patience to make this a positive experience the whole family will remember for years to come.

In addition to these activities, downtown Hoonah is a great place to explore and learn about local culture. Families can enjoy Tlingit art and performances, watch skilled Tlingit carvers crafting totem poles, and savor local dishes like salmon at various eateries around town.

Fun Fact: Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska is home to the highest concentration of bears per square mile in the world, making Hoonah renowned for its large population of brown bears.

Good To Know: Brown bear search tours are offered from May through September. These tours provide an excellent opportunity to observe the island's diverse bird life and other wildlife, making the experience even more enriching and memorable for families.

 

Teens (Ages 12–16)

Once your children get into this age group, you're able to really dig into the raw beauty and riveting wildlife of Southeast Alaska. This is also a good age range for building real outdoor skills and interest.

We can also officially recommend fishing charters that let your family spend time exploring some of the most nutrient rich waters for anglers in Alaska. Additionally, families interested in exploring nearby waters can take advantage of kayaking tours. You might see lots of different birds and other wild animals in their natural home.

Let's break down the best excursion to book if your kids are 12 and up:

• Icy Strait Kayaking (12 and up) - Enjoy the unspoiled nature of Alaskan scenery of Port Frederick during this three-hour excursion for up to 12 people. For teens who love a good Instagram shot, the background here is unreal. Parents love gliding silently over the water with their children in majestic and remote locations where distractions can't find them. Excursion guests commonly spot bald eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black tail deer, whales, and occasional beach-loving bears. Set your paddle speed to relaxation when you book our Icy Strait Kayaking Adventure for your family.

• Icy Strait Point Fishing (16 and up) - Feeling competitive? These waters have produced their share of giant halibut, and Alaska is home to the current world record — a jaw-dropping 459-pound catch from 1996. Kids love the idea of chasing the "biggest fish" during these excursions. This three-hour excursion for up to six people is led by Captain Billy. Billy is a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska who has been fishing for salmon and halibut at Icy Strait his entire life. Book your family's spot on the exciting Icy Strait Fishing Adventure today and create unforgettable memories together!

Of course, think about your kids' stamina and cold-weather tolerance, especially if they're not used to being outdoors for long stretches. For our guests, we're able to offer the flexibility of shuttle pass for tweens who want to explore downtown Hoonah semi-independently while parents participate in excursions nearby.

Fun Fact: The peaks you see while kayaking at Port Frederick belong to Hoonah Mountain. Rising 1,500 feet above sea level, this mountain is home to a free green transporter gondola that takes visitors up to the summit for incredible panoramic views. It’s a great way for the whole family to soak in the light and scenery without too much effort.

Pro Tip: Also, don't miss the ZipRider, which is known as the world's largest zipline and offers an exhilarating experience for the whole family.

Did You Know? Hoonah has a salmon cannery museum that shares some fascinating history. It’s definitely worth a visit for families with teens!

Tips For Booking A Family-Friendly Hoonah Excursion

This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you'll be talking about with your children—and potentially their children—for years and years. You want to make sure you can soak in every square mile of Glacier Bay, mountain views, and sightings of brown bears.

Here's our checklist for vetting private charters and small group tours:

• Protect your time - Only book tours that guarantee an on-time return to the ship. This offers peace of mind for parents with children who already feel like the clock is working against them. Plus, entry to your excursion that's within walking distance of the main hub for cruise port visitors at Hoonah is a big advantage.

• Verify that everyone can come - Don't assume a tour company allows children just because your booking went through. Always ask about minimum age requirements before booking to avoid that devastating moment of being turned away after promising your little one a day of bears and wildlife.

• Choose local - For an authentic experience, always explore with a local tour agency or private charter company with Hoonah-based guides who are used to working with families. Our own tour guides have spent their entire lives learning to understand and honor the brown bears and other majestic forms of wildlife that share the area surrounding Tongass National Forest with us.

• Don't miss out on the Return to Ship Anytime Shuttle Pass - We're so pleased to be able to offer the exclusive Return to Ship Anytime Shuttle Pass to build flexibility into your day. Don't sweat getting a ride back. With this gem of a pass, you can breathe easy without logistics running through your brain when you should be savoring mountain views or marveling at bears.

• Pack wisely - Southeast Alaska weather demands layers. This is why we recommend waterproof gear, layered clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Explore in two groups - Over the years, we've helped many families plan two-tier excursion days to accommodate children of different ages. For example, one parent might take younger kids on an easy whale watching tour while the other goes in search of bears or salmon and halibut in rougher terrain. Of course, our flexible rides mean that you can easily meet back via shuttle after everyone has enjoyed their age-perfect adventures.

Pro Tip: Pack a small backpack with snacks, water, and a camera or binoculars for the kids. And don’t forget to take plenty of breaks—happy kids make for happy memories!

Find Your Perfect Excursion At Icy Strait Point In Hoonah

Hoonah is one of the more manageable, family-friendly ports in Alaska to explore because of its small size, walkable downtown, and flexible shuttle system. It's a great spot to focus on if you want to experience the lore and rawness of Tongass National Forest, Chichagof Island, and Glacier Bay.

We offer locally guided excursions that are fun and informative. Each guided tour is conducted by a local guide with deep knowledge of the culture and ecology of Hoonah. In addition to offering a satisfying and educational experience, we also take care of the practical side of planning this kind of excursion. Things like our shuttle passes and guaranteed on-time return take the stress out of coordinating a day for your small group. Plus, you can board within walking distance of Hoonah's main hub.

Ready to book a guided tour for your small group that puts humpback whales, brown bears, and more within reach? Contact us to help match your family with the right tour for every age in your group!