Things To Know Before Going To Icy Strait

Step off the ship at Icy Strait Point and it feels like Alaska gives you a bear hug—wild, raw, and wonderfully close. Snow-dusted peaks tower over glassy waters where humpbacks break the surface. Bald eagles perch on spruce branches like they own the place—because, frankly, they do.

This is Alaska’s only private cruise ship port. Many local Tlingit residents are shareholders, and every dollar spent here directly supports the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. The port itself is understated, easy to walk, and perfectly framed by nature, making it an ideal base for adventure.

At Shore Excursions Group, we’re here to help you squeeze every drop out of a short port day, with small-group tours, handpicked local guides, and experiences that get you into the wild without the crowds. If your idea of the perfect cruise stop mixes big wildlife with easy logistics and rich culture, Icy Strait Point should be high on your list.

Planning Your Trip

A little planning goes a long way at Icy Strait Point because the best wildlife moments move fast. Book your excursions early, especially during peak whale and bear seasons. And leave room for wonder—if a whale decides to breach ten times in a row, you’ll want time to gape.

Best Time to Visit


Whales hang out from late spring through early fall, with humpbacks going full-on feeding frenzy in mid-summer. Bears get active when the salmon run, usually summer into early fall. 

Temperatures stay on the cool side, so layers are your best friend. Fog drifts in, vanishes, and comes back just to keep you on your toes—Alaska does what it wants.

How to Get There


Most cruise lines include Icy Strait Point on Alaska itineraries, often paired with Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan. Your ship docks at either Adventure Landing or Wilderness Landing, so double-check your tour meeting point. Step off the ship and you’re in a purpose-built visitor area with shops, trails, and easy access to tours. 

With 6 to 8 hours ashore, you can dive into a marquee excursion and still have time to wander the waterfront at your own pace. Feeling ambitious? You can often squeeze in both a whale tour and a bear search on the same day—most run three to four hours each—but double-check start times and meeting spots before trying to be in two places at once.

Getting Around in Icy Strait


The port is walkable, with wide boardwalks and clear signs to keep you on track. A gondola links the landings, and shuttles help you hop between zones. Independent taxis are limited, and trips into Hoonah are best done with a prearranged tour or transfer. Trails and waterfront paths make for a relaxing stroll if you want to stretch your legs after your adventure.

Essential Travel Info


Alaska is part of the U.S., so services, emergency numbers, and currency feel familiar. Weather can flip in a minute—waterproof layers and solid shoes are a must. Wildlife is truly wild: follow guide instructions, keep a respectful distance, and don’t feed the animals, no matter how adorable they are. Connectivity is spotty, but that’s part of the charm.

Entry Requirements


For most cruisers calling at Icy Strait Point, passport checks happen with your cruise line, not at the pier. U.S. travelers bring a government-issued ID and ship card; international travelers follow cruise line guidance. Standard same-day stops usually don’t require pier-side customs. Always check your cruise app or daily program for the latest instructions.

Currency


U.S. Dollars rule here. Credit cards work almost everywhere, and ATMs exist, but don’t rely on them. Small bills come in handy for tips or small purchases. No need to worry about exchange rates—just spend your USD.

Health and Safety


No special vaccines are needed. Pack personal meds and a small kit for motion or water spray if you’re heading out on the water. In an emergency, dial 911; local responders coordinate in Hoonah. Follow guide directions around bears and salmon streams, keep food sealed, and use handrails on docks and boats—slick decks are part of the fun.

Top Excursions and Tours

Icy Strait is a showstopper for intimate wildlife experiences, and we curate tours that keep you close to the action without packing you into oversized groups. Our partners are local captains, naturalists, and cultural hosts who live in this landscape every day. 

Want whales? Icy Strait is one of Alaska’s best spots to watch them feed and play. Prefer bears and rainforest? Head to Chichagof Island, home to the world’s densest brown bear population. Craving Alaska’s flavors and stories? Small-group tours serve those up, too—making every hour ashore count.

Whale & Marine Wildlife Cruises

Whales headline here, and small boats make the difference. With fewer guests aboard, you get rail space, better sight lines, and a captain nimble enough to shift when blows appear on the horizon. Your guide’s goal is simple: find wildlife fast and give you time to marvel.

Icy Strait Whale Watching and Wildlife Sightseeing


If you want the classic three-hour boat trip with a local skipper who knows the hotspots, choose Icy Strait Whale Watching and Wildlife Sightseeing. 

Departing from tranquil Hoonah City Harbor, this outing serves up a front-row seat to Alaska’s wild cast of characters. Bald eagles perch in shoreline spruces, sea otters float like corks, and sea lions bark from rocky haul-outs. 

Out on the water, humpbacks steal the show, sometimes joined by orcas slicing through the strait. Keep your camera ready—this trip is a feast for anyone who loves nature in motion.

Small-Group Whale Watching


Prefer a tight-knit feel with a firm cap on guests? The small-group Whale Watching delivers easy boarding, unhurried viewing, and a relaxed vibe. 

With just 26 passengers aboard, there’s no jockeying for rail space as the captain steers toward the action. The vessels sit low to the water, making close encounters even more thrilling. 

Bubble-net feeding, tail slaps, and full-on breaches are just some of the behaviors humpbacks put on display here. It’s as close as you’ll get to feeling like the whales are performing just for you.

Alaska Drone and Whale Wildlife Adventure


For a fresh angle—literally—Alaska Drone and Whale Wildlife Adventure adds aerial footage captured by your crew so you can relive the moment back on board. 

The sailing route along Icy Strait and Port Frederick delivers some of the richest marine life in Alaska. Humpbacks majestically surface, sea lions bask on the rocks, puffins flap low over the water, and brown bears sometimes roam the shoreline.

Back on the boat, you’ll get a drone video that captures it all from above, a one-of-a-kind keepsake to share with friends and family.

Private Premier Whale Watching


If your family and friends want the boat to yourselves, Private Premier Whale Watching gives you the run of the deck and the freedom to linger where the action is hottest. 

With just your group and the crew, there’s no rushing to make room or move along. Glacier Bay and Icy Strait provide nutrient-rich waters where humpbacks gather to breach and feed. It’s a personalized adventure that lets you soak in every tail slap and spout without distraction.

Bears, Forest & Wilderness

Away from the shoreline, the Tongass National Forest spreads thick and green, dotted with salmon streams and quiet meadows. This is bear country—and our guides know how to explore it responsibly. 

Expect scenic drives, short walks, and a patient pace tuned to wildlife behavior. Keep cameras ready and voices low; the forest rewards quiet curiosity.

Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search


To look for bruins and other local residents with a pro at the wheel, Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search focuses your time where sightings are most likely. 

Chichagof Island isn’t called “Bear Island” for nothing—National Geographic ranks it as having one of the world’s densest brown bear populations, with one to two per square mile. Your guide, a lifelong local, knows the backroads and salmon streams where bears roam, along with the timing of their seasonal patterns. 

Along the way, you may also spot mink, red squirrels, Sitka black-tail deer, otters, and a healthy spread of bald eagles overhead.

Private Alaska Brown Bear and Nature Expedition by Van


If your group wants a vehicle all to yourselves, Private Alaska Brown Bear and Nature Expedition by Van blends flexible routing with local insight, ideal for photographers and families. 

Setting out from the small town of Hoonah, your guide leads you deep into the Tongass National Forest, tailoring the trip to your pace and interests. Wildlife encounters shift with the seasons: spring brings groggy bears out of hibernation, while late summer means salmon runs—and the bear activity that follows. 

This private format lets you linger longer at each stop and capture the moments you care about most.

Stream Fishing


Anglers can swap binoculars for a rod on Stream Fishing, a half-day escape to pristine water where the only sound might be your reel singing. With over 45 years of guiding experience, your expert ensures even beginners feel at ease casting with the lightweight gear provided. 

Chichagof Island’s streams deliver classic Alaska catches on a catch-and-release basis, from Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout to coho salmon. Depending on timing, steelhead may also be in the mix. Whether you land a fish or not, the solitude and scenery are the real catch of the day.

Nature, Culture & Local Flavor

Alaska isn’t just scenery; it’s a story. In Hoonah, Tlingit heritage shapes daily life—from totems to recipes—and sharing those traditions is a point of pride. 

Small groups mean more time for questions, more space at the table, and better conversation. You’ll come away with context that deepens everything else you saw—the whales, the forest, the sea. And yes, you’ll eat well.

Icy Strait Tlingit Village Tour with Crab Feast

For a delicious dive into local life, Icy Strait Tlingit Village Tour with Crab Feast pairs cultural stops with a hearty meal, all within an easy three-hour window that fits a standard call.

This tour feels personal from the moment you step into Hoonah, a working Tlingit village where traditions run deep. You might see carvers shaping a totem pole, or meet a commercial fishing crew and see how the day’s catch is hauled in. 

The finale is pure Alaskan flavor: a private crab feast on the waterfront deck of the Hoonah Beach House, capped off with a homemade dessert. You’ll leave not just well-fed but with a richer sense of the culture that anchors this community.


Travel Tips and Tricks

A port day at Icy Strait feels easy when you’re prepared for the elements and know your meeting point. Be sure to bring your sense of wonder—wild Alaska has a knack for surprises.

Packing Essentials

Think breathable base layers topped with something warm and a waterproof jacket. Add a hat and light gloves for boat tours, and choose comfortable closed-toe shoes with decent grip for docks and trails. 

A small dry bag keeps phones and cameras safe from spray, while polarized sunglasses sharpen your view of whales and eagles.

Language and Communication


English is spoken everywhere. Set meeting points before you wander, and download offline maps or snap photos of trailhead signs, as cell coverage can be spotty. 

Keep your ship card and tour voucher handy—they’re your golden tickets ashore. And if you learn just one Tlingit word, let it be “Gunalchéesh” (thank you). It goes a long way.

Cultural Etiquette


Treat cultural sites and totems with respect; observe quietly, photograph thoughtfully, and follow your guide’s lead. Give wildlife plenty of space (a zoom lens is your best friend here). 

Pack out any trash and keep food sealed during wilderness tours. Tipping your guide or crew is customary when service shines. And remember: a warm smile and hello mean a lot in this small, welcoming community.

How to Make the Most of Icy Strait

Alaska comes alive at Icy Strait, where whales breach nearby, bears roam lush valleys, and Tlingit culture greets you at every turn. Plan smart, dress for the day, and pick small-group tours to see more and stress less.

Ready to plan your day ashore? Browse our full lineup of Icy Strait excursions and lock in the adventure that matches your style. We’ll take care of the logistics; you’ll head home with the stories.

Frequently Asked Questions