Whale Watching

RAINY BUT STILL GOOD
October 18, 2023
Not the best day to be out on the water watching whales, however the crew was great and very informative. Got to see whales and sea lions. Great trip and would do it again.
Reviewer: ANDREA LEA HINES
5 Stars
A trip highlight
October 16, 2023
This was an exceptional tour. The wrong people got on thwnebhoat (one name was similar to my own) and, when I phoned, they quickly resolved the problem and the boat came back to get us. There were only four of us on the tour and the captain and young guide from Texas were personable and very well informed. We got full value for this trip.
Reviewer: Ross
5 Stars
Whales Galore
October 10, 2023
I've been whale watching before but nothing like this. It seemed they were putting on a show for just for us. In fact, one whale totally breached coming completely out of the water and splashing down. The captain and first mate could not have been better.
Reviewer: Bela Sipos
5 Stars
Whale watching
October 05, 2023
The tour guides were terrific and we enjoyed the afternoon
Reviewer: Danielle Cicco
5 Stars
Fjord
October 03, 2023
This area was breathtaking. Lunch was good as well.
Reviewer: Bryan Lindsey
5 Stars
Whale Watching at Icy Strait
October 03, 2023
Good excursion. As advertised and we saw lots of whales. Bring your rain-gear as weather changes frequently.
Reviewer: Wendy
5 Stars
whale watching
September 28, 2023
it was fabulous being able to see Orca and Humpback whales at such close proximity. the narrator did not relay much scientific information.
Reviewer: Helen Y Chester
4 Stars
Whale Watching
September 27, 2023
Icy Strait Point, Alaska This excursion was worth every cent. Small group, and total panoramic views. We followed groups of Orcas, saw Sea Otters, and Humpback Whales. The experience of a lifetime!
Reviewer: Carol Bourland
5 Stars
Wonderful experience. Lots of whales. Clear views.
September 18, 2023
Overall an excellent trip. Meeting point was quite convenient to the gondola terminal. Easily found. Small group, approx. 20 people on the boat. Each person had a ‘window seat’ at the side of the boat. When we stopped to observe the whales, all windows were opened fully, so everyone had an unobstructed view. We saw dozens of whales over the course of the trip. At one point, I tried to count the spouts, and there were at least 12 at the same time. Great photos with a zoom lens. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Paul Hamill
5 Stars
Awesome wildlife
September 13, 2023
Loved seeing multiple whales including a baby whale diving with its mom. And the sea lions jumping up on a buoy were so funny.
Reviewer: Kathy
5 Stars
Full Island Tour
September 12, 2023
Great day....would do it again in a heartbeat!
Reviewer: Brenda A Storck
5 Stars
Phenomenal experience
August 26, 2023
This was our best excursion. We were on a smaller boat that allowed us to go further out from Icy Strait Point. Even without whales, it would have been a good excursion. However, whales were promised and we saw several orcas and a humpback whale. They were next to the boat. One whale chased behind us before swimming under the boat. Highly recommend.
Reviewer: Caroline W
5 Stars
Icy Point Whale Watching
August 14, 2023
What a wonderful experience! The captain and tour guide were fabulous. It wasn't long before we saw whales and seals. The captain saved the best for last. We went to a location where there were 12-15 whales and we experienced an up-close view of the whales. Thank you so much for an unforgettable experience.
Reviewer: Becky Mendez
5 Stars
Whales
August 08, 2023
Had a great time, watching the whales and orcas and the sea lions. but the best thing we saw was the whale breaching out of the water. That was awesome. It made the whole trip. Thanks again.
Reviewer: Dave and Michelle McNamee
5 Stars
Small Group Whale Watching
July 17, 2023
This excision was a favorite due to the small group and the ability to see 360 degrees on the boat. The captain and helper were accommodating and pointed out how to identify if whales were in the area. We saw many whales and again enjoyed the smaller group of 20 as we saw other excursions with larger boats and thankful we chose the more intimate, flexible excursion.
Reviewer: Kimberly Akers
5 Stars
Whales everywhere!
July 05, 2023
The captain and staff were knowledgeable and fun. We were able to see several whales. It was a perfect day.
Reviewer: Steve Odom
5 Stars
Whales
June 30, 2023
We saw many whales and sea lions. Our favorite tour.
Reviewer: Carolyn
5 Stars
Whale Watching
June 01, 2023
Whale watching is always a "hit or miss" proposition, and all you should expect is that your boat crew has the ability to position you in a location with a high probability of actually seeing some. Our crew was successful at finding those opportunities, and we did see many. The crew was pleasant, helpful and attentive to us all and I would recommend them.
Reviewer: Douglas Donaldson
4 Stars
Great Time!
September 07, 2022
Our group had a wonderful time on this whale watching excursion. It was rainy and cool but you had the option of staying inside or standing outside. We saw quite a few whales and tons of jellyfish. We had a great time and glad we picked this excursion.
Reviewer: Lee Prushan
5 Stars
Whale Watching Show of the Cruise
September 07, 2022
The many humpback whales (at least 50) performed for us. They were frolicking both far and near. So near that two deep down under the boat. Some of the whales appeared to be sixty to seventy feet long, while most were smaller. My husband claims to have seen two whales breech the waves together! The captain and naturalist were VERY good.
Reviewer: Elle O’Neill
5 Stars
Fabulous
August 23, 2022
I wanted to see whales so badly during our excursion, and oh boy did we! First an Orca family of 4, and them more Humpbacks than we could count. We followed them both for quite a while. Saw the Humpbacks feeding a couple times, breaching and even heard them trumpeting! The whole experience was amazing! Everyone involved was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Reviewer: Cathy Wysopal
5 Stars
Best ever
August 16, 2022
It was a calm day and cloudy but not raining. The captain was a native of Icy Straight and work really hard to find whales. We saw orcas and a herd of 15 or more of hump backs whales. They where bubble netting and would all come up with their mouths open. One came up and breached completely out of the water about 75 yard away.
Reviewer: Donald Landry
5 Stars
FANTASTIC!
August 06, 2022
The Whale Watching excursion in Icy Strait was amazing!We saw many whales and the crew onboard did all they could do to facilitate that and ensure we had a wonderfl time! I highly recommend this tour!
Reviewer: Suzanne Elledge
5 Stars
Wonderful Excursion
August 06, 2022
The Whale Watching excursion in Icy Strait was great from start to finish! We saw a dozen or so whales and the crew onboard made the excursion fun and informative! I highly recommend this tour!
Reviewer: Sharon Crosby
5 Stars
whales galore.
August 03, 2022
WHEN WE WERE TOLD THEY NEVER MISSED SITINGS, THEY WERE RIGHT. WE SAW SOME 20 WHALES OF ALL SIZES AND EVEN AN ORCA. SOME WERE LESS THAN 30 FEET AWAY. THE SEA LION BUOY ON THE WAY BACK WAS A LARK. A YOUNG ENERGETIC AND ACCOMODATING CREW MADE THIS TRIP A GREAT TIME.
Reviewer: bryan randolph davies
5 Stars
Whale Watching Icy Straight
August 03, 2022
One of the best excursions of the entire trip!!!!! Crew was informative and friendly, came upon a large pod of humpback whales was absolutely amazing
Reviewer: Eric Church
5 Stars
Whale watching
August 02, 2022
Wow - what a trip! Comfortable boat - saw lots of whales - feeding - up close - great pictures. Well worth the price!
Reviewer: BROOKS A BOYE
5 Stars
Must Do!
July 15, 2022
A must do when in Alaska. Our smaller, more personal boat was enjoyable. Our captain tried hard to take us to see whales outside of the big groups of boats.
Reviewer: Kathryn Boreman
5 Stars
Fabulous Whale Watching
July 13, 2022
The tour at Icy Stait was amazing. We were able to see many whales and their tails as they dove down into the water. The boat was comfortable and great viewing from inside (windows opened up full), front or back. Captain Albert was very knowledgeable about where to look for the whales. Kinsey was very knowledgeable about the whales. The only unexpected detail is that there was no water or snacks provided. We were so thirsty by the end of the tour!
Reviewer: Pamela Groebner
5 Stars
Awesome time Whale Watching
June 27, 2022
While waiting for our whale watching tour on our cruise ship, we had two humpbacks whales right next to the boat and I began to worry that the whale watching tour wouldn't be worth it. It most definitely was though. Our crew went out of their way to find a variety of different humpbacks including a mama and her calf. We also saw sea otters, seal lions, and seals. We had whales within 50 feet of the boat which was pretty thrilling. I'd highly recommend anyone visiting ISP to book this tour.
Reviewer: Karen Carpenter
5 Stars
Whales
June 27, 2022
Very good and we seen many whales
Reviewer: Richard
5 Stars
Icy straight whale watching
June 22, 2022
Efficient, well planned and organized! Define toy saw whales😀
Reviewer: Janet
5 Stars
Great Experience
June 10, 2022
Great fun. Saw several whales. The walk from the pier to the excursion meeting spot is quite a distance, not for anyone with walking issues.
Reviewer: Carol Vollmecke
4 Stars
Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point!
June 08, 2022
Our first visit to the port of Icy Strait Point was amazing and this early evening whale watching tour made the day even better! Thank you to Captain Rusty and his crew Cody and Hunter who were knowledgeable, kind and entertaining. We saw whales, sea otters, sea lions, harbor porpoise, eagles and even two coastal brown bears! The area is known for whale watching and this tour did not disappoint!
Reviewer: Jenny Reed
5 Stars
Small Group Whale Watching
May 28, 2022
We had a fabulous time on this excursion! The ship tour was on the same kind of boat holding what looked like near capacity, 50 people. We had 7. There was also the boat captain and two guides. We had the run of the boat, front back, up and down. No squeezing into one spot between people and getting stuck there. The captain did a great job of finding whales and allowing us to watch until we saw the flukes and moving on to others to watch. Being so early in the season, May 4th, we knew sightings would be limited, but he did a great job finding them for us. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It was really a private tour with personal guides. We also saw bears, seals, sea lions, and porpoises. Overall, a great excursion. The only difficulty we had was finding the initial meeting place, but there were several people around to point us in the right direction.
Reviewer: Juli Foley
5 Stars
Whale watching
September 22, 2019
Great excursion! It was a small boat— only 14 of us. The captain and naturalist were very knowledgeable. We saw humpback and orca whales and seals. The captain used a drone to get great aerial shots of the whales and shared with those who wanted it.
Reviewer: Janice McMahon
5 Stars
Impression
September 22, 2019
Just exceptionnal A little group and a lot to see
Reviewer: Gaetan Filion
5 Stars
Exceeded expectations!
September 21, 2019
This was an amazing experience for 2 people who have never seen whales outside of captivity! Josh and his colleagues were great & even though we had a hiccup that delayed our start, they stepped right in to fill our time with a scenic drive rather than leave us waiting in the parking lot! Quick on their feet to keep us happy! And once on the boat, we saw whales up close and personal! It was quite a thrill and we enjoyed this young man's extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for what he does!!
Reviewer: KathyD
5 Stars
Whale Watching Hoonah
September 18, 2019
Great captain and crew (naturalist) discussed a lot of history of the area as well as discussion of hump back whales. Both the Captain and the Naturalist were true outdoor people who enjoyed their work. Small group of folks on the boat which allowed for individualized question answering and attention. Able to see 6 hump back whales feeding together
Reviewer: Bernie Wharton
5 Stars
Incredible experience
September 12, 2019
I was so pleased with this excursion. It is one of the most exciting experiences I've ever been a part of. This excursion was well worth the money we spent and I would do it all over again. We only had 12 people on our boat and we had many upclose encounters with orcas and humpback whales. So close, in fact, that we could have almost touched them. Book it!!!
Reviewer: Lisa Coey
5 Stars
Best excursion of our trip
September 11, 2019
Fantastic experience all around. There were 16 people on our boat and everyone had a front row view of the amazing whales. Pick up and drop off was right on time. I would do this trip again and recommend them to friends and family.
Reviewer: Sarah
5 Stars
Wonderful experience
September 11, 2019
Very knowledgable and enthusiastic crew that knew exactly how to steer the boat towards two families of humpbacks. Hearing the whales chatting away via the sonar speakers is something my son and I will never forget. Easily the best excursion of our first ever cruise. Well worth it.
Reviewer: Simon
5 Stars
Whale
September 04, 2019
Great!
Reviewer: Kelly Brown
4 Stars
Whale watching
August 21, 2019
Having a marine biologist on board was an excellent addition to our experience. Didn’t get to see too many whales
Reviewer: Cathy Ferris
4 Stars
Outstanding!
August 20, 2019
Within minutes after launching, we came across a pod of Orcas and were able to witness them up close. We also saw humpback whales and sea otters. The crew was very friendly and the boat was excellent for what we were doing. I would highly recommend it!
Reviewer: Greg Gay
5 Stars
Icy Strait Whale Watching
August 20, 2019
The Captain and Marine Biologist on board were very entertaining and informative. We saw several humpback whales including a mom and her calf as well as bald eagles. We enjoyed the small group experience in a smaller boat. Plenty of opportunities to speak to both crew members. Would highly recommend.
Reviewer: Cindy Steeves
5 Stars
Awesome Time!!
August 19, 2019
Best experience of the vacation!! Great guides.
Reviewer: Lisa
5 Stars
Whale watching
August 17, 2019
The captain and his female partner were excellent. Knowledge and showed us not just whales but bears,seals,otters.would recommend this to anyone.
Reviewer: lance getic
5 Stars
Whale Watching Icey Straight
August 07, 2019
The captain and his assistant were very professional. We viewed multiple humpback whales and an orca, which was very impressive.
Reviewer: James Hager
5 Stars
Whale Watching in Icy Straight Point
July 31, 2019
We took the whale watching trip - excellent tour! We had a small boat with just 18 passengers. My biggest surprise was that boat included not only the captain, who was great, but also a marine biologist who gave us tons of information and facts about the wildlife we were seeing! We saw numerous humpback whales, eagles, and sea otters. Towards the end of our tour, a group of killer whales made an appearance. Our captain was great at getting us into position to see the whales and enjoy the wildlife without interfering with them. A wonderful tour - would highly recommend!!
Reviewer: Steve A
5 Stars
Otters, sea lions and humpbacks
July 22, 2019
Great smaller tour in Icy Straight to see sea otters, sea lions basking on the bouy and humpbacks. The distance is hard to get great pictures so I highly suggest cameras with incredible zoom lenses...and binoculars. The captain & marine biologist onboard were extremely friendly and very engaged trying to get our experience to be the best. It'd be great to have another 2 hours on this excursion to get further out to see orcas.
Reviewer: Deb
4 Stars
Whale Watching
July 15, 2019
Wonderful experience. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff. Saw 12 different whales fairly close up. No other words than fantastic!!!
Reviewer: Robin Ludlum
5 Stars
Great trip
July 12, 2019
Captain Dave dis a great job and we were able to get up close and personal with several Humpback whales. They put on a show for us. We also saw several bald eagles. And the ride thru the beautiful Alaskan scenery was awesome.
Reviewer: Bruce Graves
5 Stars
Loved this, saw whales galore!
June 18, 2019
The two young men who took us were polite, informative and found the whales for us to view, take videos and pictures. It was a wonderful day to see these magnificent animals. They were connected with local fishermen who would give them the reports of where whales were. So YOU WILL SEE WHALES!
Reviewer: Faith
5 Stars
Fantastic Trip
June 10, 2019
This was the best whale watching trip I have been on and I've been on 3 others. The captain was friendly and knowledgeable as was his naturalist assistant. We saw Orcas breaching so many times and so close to the ship. Greatest day I spent in Alaska.
Reviewer: James Berty
5 Stars
Excellent experience
June 08, 2019
This was an excellent excursion. The boat as small enough to not be overwhelmed with lots of people. The crew worked hard to find whales, and we saw several. The crew was very friendly and informative. A great trip.
Reviewer: Bruce
5 Stars
Highlight of our trip
June 05, 2019
Josh and Steve took 14 Princess Cruise passengers whale watching and knew just where to look. We were so fortunate to see a mother humpback trying to teach her baby to breach! It was amazing. Both men were very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife so they were able to answer the many questions their passengers asked. Great job!!!
Reviewer: Judy Borman
5 Stars
A Whale of a Trip
January 27, 2019
Brief bus journey to the boat, where we glimpsed town of Hoonah. Sloped walkway to a very comfortable, roomy boat. Took us out to the whale-watching spot, we saw two large brown bears on the shore and an eagle desperately trying to lift his prey from the water, and giving up. Soon saw an orca very close and starting jumping in and out. Coming back we saw humpback whale and an island full of birds. Scenery was extraordinary everywhere. Staff were very polite and helpful. Very worthwhile trip.
Reviewer: John Kotsonis
5 Stars
Whales, otters, eagles and a bear... what a tour!
January 23, 2019
We went on this tour in the early summer and were not too happy with the weather...feared the worst. But once we were on the boat, we had the most phenomenal tour, seeing not only several humpbacks but also killer whales leaping in formation really close by, some of the most endearing otter families imaginable, and even a grumpy-looking bear on the shore that reared up at us. We also spent some time by a rookery with a number of migratory birds, including puffins. Most dramatic: a bald eagle fighting with a giant fish right by the ship. Believe it or not, the bald eagle had to give up, so as not to drown. While you never can be sure what animals you'll see, in the right season this tour can be amazing, and the captain knows all the best places. Bring your binocs and the action will be even closer!
Reviewer: Miriam Kotsonis
5 Stars
Too late in the season
October 17, 2018
We went the last week of September. The Whales weren't as active because of the time frame. We did get to see a few humps and tails. No jumping whales at this time of year. We got to see other animal cuteness. The boat was small but the tour size was perfect for the boat because there were views all around.
Reviewer: Maria Totty
4 Stars
Great experience
September 29, 2018
Words really can not express how amazing this tour was. Josh and Keith were just great and full of information about whales and the area in general. We headed out from the docks looking for some time with little luck. Josh got on the radio looking for other sightings. We found a group of hump backs bubble feeding! We were there for a while (too busy taking video to know how long) just watching and recording. They had told us to watch the birds for a sign of where and when the whales would emerge. The flock took off in one direction south east of us and suddenly the whales emerged about 50 feet off the starboard side of the boat. To our amazement they began swimming directly towards us! They were so close we could almost touch them! At least 3 of the whales swam under the boat and emerged on the other side. To top it off several of them breached as if to say goodbye as we were turning to leave! Overall these guys are great. I would sail with either of them any day.
Reviewer: Mike Schultz
5 Stars
A Humpback Whale Bubble Net Feeding Extravaganza
September 26, 2018
Our trip was delayed by thick heavy fog, but because we were the only excursion booked on this day...No problem! We got to tour the little town and talk to the totem pole carvers. Once the 11 of us got aboard the 15 passenger boat, it was really obvious that our captain knew exactly what he was doing. Headed us out and gently let us know not to get upset as we passed by lone whales in the distance. He drove us near an island where we could see the seagulls circling in the distance and we caught the tail end of group of whales surfacing simultaneously. The excited nature interpreter on board explained the whales were feeding. Our captain then took us further up where he had seen the gulls circling and we hit the jackpot! A group of 14 humpback whales bubble net feeding. Even our captain was excited after the whales surfaced the third time, and he put the speaker in the water so we could hear them. The whales surface 8 times! It was an experience of a lifetime!
Reviewer: Barbara Wolanski
5 Stars
Experience of a Lifetime
September 24, 2018
This was truly an amazing experience. The day was sunny and clear and there were wales in abundance. We had the opportunity to observe a group of whales bubble feeding at least 5 times. It was magnificent and an unforgettable sight! Kudos to the captain and crew!
Reviewer: Joan Willets
4 Stars
Whale watching in the Icy Straits
September 22, 2018
Excellent excursion. Lived up to its description. Skipper of the boat and the naturalist on board were very approachable, extremely knowledgeable and informative. The boat whilst relatively small gave everyone the opportunity to take great photographs.
Reviewer: Stephen Milner
5 Stars
Fantastic Show
September 17, 2018
Our guides were very kind and courteous from the beginning to the end. We started in one spot looking for whales and when there wasn’t much action we moved to another and got the show of a lifetime. I would definitely use this group again!
Reviewer: Claudine S.
5 Stars
Wow..what a show we saw!
September 17, 2018
Started out thinking the day was going to be a washout because of very heavy fog. Captain delayed our departure by 1 1/2 hours for safety but we were finally able to set out. A little slow to start but well worth it. We saw sea lions and then the whale show started. Tail slaps and full breaching. Got some fantastic video.
Reviewer: John Frank
5 Stars
Great Excursion
September 17, 2018
This excursion was great! The boat was great for watching whales both inside and out and the captain and his son were wonderful. They were very personable and knew where to find the whales. The only negative at first was that the excursion stated there would be another max number of people and our excursion was over that but the boat was able to accompany all of us very well so that was not a problem at all.
Reviewer: Kathy White
5 Stars
comfortable and informative
September 17, 2018
We took an excellent and easy trip. The van picked us up outside the visitor area. We transferred to the dock and found that by picking an early time we only had 6 of us on board! We received lots of extra attention. We saw whales, puffin and more!
Reviewer: April Mead
5 Stars
Whale Watching at Icy Straits
August 20, 2018
Excellent value for the money!!!! The Captain and the crew were very professional. They even had a sonar on board and we were able to listen to the whales!!! We were able to see the whales up close bubble-net feeding!
Reviewer: Zvi Rafilovich
5 Stars
Unbelievable!!!!
August 06, 2018
Our guides on the boat were fantastic. We saw sea otters and humpback whales. While the double breaching whales was not controlled by the guides, they got us as close as legally possible. But, for me, was the sonar they used so we could hear their organizing before feeding. It was unbelievable!
Reviewer: Tari Furey
5 Stars
Humpbacks and Orcas
August 06, 2018
We had a great time. It was a smaller group than other boats so everybody was able to watch comfortably. The captain and the naturalist were very friendly and eager to answer every question. Highly recommended
Reviewer: Aileen
5 Stars
Wonderful experience
August 06, 2018
The whale watching experience was wonderful! We had a full 3 hours with an experienced captain and naturalist. We were lucky in that we followed a group of 7 humpback whales for some time and had close views of them on several occasions. Then we followed a group of 8 Orcas for some time and had close views of them also. The boat was very comfortable and this was one of the highlights of our Alaskan adventure.
Reviewer: Ed Mellinger
5 Stars
Fantastic Whale Watching!
July 30, 2018
We really enjoyed our morning whale watching. We learned so much about whales and spotted many. Thanks you for a great excursion!
Reviewer: Elaine Garley
5 Stars
Peak experience
July 30, 2018
Friendly knowledgeable Captain and naturalist, smooth boat. We saw hump back whales bubble feeding and orcas, viewing them up close and so awesome. The highlight of the trip!
Reviewer: Mary
5 Stars
Rare experience
June 25, 2018
We witnessed whales feed via “bubble net”. Of course it’s all about timing, but our guides had us in the perfect location and we’re informative.
Reviewer: Russ Strouse
5 Stars
Whale Watching
June 25, 2018
Very nice. The Captain & guide were knowlegable and friendly.
Reviewer: Alvin
5 Stars
FABULOUS!!
June 18, 2018
Loved this excursion, the small group was great; the tour guides were fantastic! The signts were a 10+.
Reviewer: Linda Myers
5 Stars
Whale watching
October 20, 2017
Excellent!! Dwayne, the captain of the boat, and his son Andrew were very knowledgeable and we had a wonderful 3 hours. It was a small boat with only 16 people which was nice and the boat was built especially for whale watching. The windows could all be latched up to the ceiling so we had a clear unobstructed view, plus we could go out the front and back of the boat. Dwayne found a pod of about 12 humpback whales and we were able to watch them bubble feeding for an hour or two. Fascinating. I would highly recommend this trip.
Reviewer: Jane Vickers
5 Stars
Best experinece
October 18, 2017
This trip was awesome! The small boat allowed us to get close. we saw breaching wales several times! It was the highlight of our trip.
Reviewer: Susan Butler
5 Stars
Amazing!!!!
September 13, 2017
The Crew were so great! We got to see Orca's and Humpback whales. The great thing about this was it was a small group of people so we were not fighting to see anything. I would do this excursion again in a heartbeat.
Reviewer: Valerie
5 Stars
Good Time
August 30, 2017
Guide was entertaining. We did see one whale. Watched him play for an extended period of time. Saw other water animals. Overall a fun outing.
Reviewer: Linda Krauskopf
4 Stars
Whale Watching in
August 21, 2017
Great excursion Whale Watching in Icy Straits. It was like the whales put on a show for us.
Reviewer: Barry Present
5 Stars
Amazing whale watching!
July 19, 2017
While our boat hand was not that much of a tour guide (he was kind and helpful but a high school kid who was new to the role), the whale watching was unbelievable. Our captain clearly new how to find the right spots and what a sight to see! The orca pod and sea lions were also a big hit. Icy Strait is the place to see whales - much better viewing than Juneau.
Reviewer: Heather
5 Stars
Excellent Excursion
July 10, 2017
We cruise a lot but this was our first experience using an excursion that was not offered through the cruise line. It was excellent! Excellent, comfortable whale watching boat, extremely knowledgeable guide. We saw lots of whales. We would recommend this excursion to everyone.
Reviewer: Gerry Sherman
5 Stars
Outstanding!!!
July 01, 2017
Captain. Dan was wonderful as he narrated and educated us on whales. We constantly saw whales eating, swimming, and breaching throughout the day. The boat was comfortable and the group was small. This trip surpassed our expectations.
Reviewer: Chris and jeanene
5 Stars
Amazing!
June 27, 2017
Captain Dan was great! He took us to a whale pod and followed them at a safe distance but still close enough to allow us to appreciate and feel in awe of these magestic creatures. It was a spectacular event. He also pointed out the puffin birds, eagles and sea otters throughout the ride. It was unforgettable.
Reviewer: Mirti Murray
5 Stars
Icy Straits Whales Up Close
June 19, 2017
Excellent experience! The best excursion out of all nine ports. Only 6 passangers aboard so we got up close to bubble net feeding. I understand it's rarely seen.. The whales communicate (under water microphone) with one another and blow bubbles to confuse the fish. The whales emerge in a circle at the same time to eat. Unbelievable sight of huge whale mouths open, squawking birds feeding on leftovers..a feeding frenzy! We witnessed this not once but numerous times as a herring run was in. Our Captain owned the Misty Lodge and operates this same vessel for "The Bush People" Alaska reality show. Through Costco this was more expensive then the crowded cruise ship's excursion..but so worth it. We were up close, SAW whales and no jockeying for the best viewing spot. My husband and I both agree this is a memory that will last a lifetime and money well spent.
Reviewer: Terry Williams
5 Stars
Whale Watching
June 02, 2017
Absolutely breathtaking, the guide for this excursion was very knowledgeable about the whales, and the area we travelled in. Well worth the time and money.
Reviewer: Mrs. Marilyn Bach
5 Stars
Whale Watching-Icey Strait
November 29, 2016
I certainly enjoyed this excursion and would take it again if ever a possibility. I think there were eight of us on this small boat, a capacity group. Our local captain steered us through the dense fog until we finally found ourselves surrounded by twenty or so humpback whales. From there we sped on forward and found a couple orcas. I especially liked the small boat,the friendliness of the captain, and his knowledge of the area so that he kept searching until we found the whales and orcas.
Reviewer: Clare Strohman
5 Stars
Outstanding Experience
November 28, 2016
We saw lots of whales and orcas. The captain worked very hard to take us to make sure we had the best possible experience.
Reviewer: Charlotte Reddish
5 Stars
Amazing.... and small group
November 27, 2016
Saw 4 humpback whales, sea otters, seals, and tons of bird wildlife. Small boat, small group (14) meant we could go closer to shore than the big boat excursions. Whales were feeding in the coves and this experience was amazing. Don't book the cruise ship Whale watching excursion...smaller is better for whale watching!
Reviewer: Theresa Bergman
5 Stars
Whole lotta Whales!
November 20, 2016
Our boat Captain knew where the whales were feeding and did not disappoint anyone on the boat. It had about 20 people total including the Captain and crew member. Windows that would lift up to allow direct visualization plus open forward and aft areas for pictures without window sheen. We saw the same group of whales feeding to maximize their catch about 6 times in the 3 hour period of our excursion! Actually saw 3 separate whales breach completely! Too fast for pictures! I highly recommend this excursion as does my son(32), granddaughter (16) and husband(62). The only limitation is getting on and off the boat, but the crew will help those less agile. Great Excursion in Icy Strait Point!
Reviewer: Judy Davenport
5 Stars
Highlight of our trip!
November 04, 2016
This excursion was the highlight of our trip. The boat only accommodated 16 guests so we were able to see everything and took some great photos. We found a pod of 5 Humpbacks and followed them, getting within 30 yards at times. The captain lowered a sonar unit over the side which allowed us to hear the whales communicating with each other, too. The first mate had a great sense of humor and reminded us of Jack Black. The only disappointment was that there were no Orcas to be seen, but that's not the fault of the crew. Definitely recommend this tour.
Reviewer: Paul H.
5 Stars
Wonderful Experience Viewing Humpback Whales
November 02, 2016
My family and I found the Whale Watching experience to be extraordinary. The boat was small holding just sixteen passengers. The captain was able to locate several areas where we had groups of Humpbacks travel very close to the boat. We also had the rare fortune of seeing a Humpback breach out the water. I would highly recommend the Whale Watching tour. It truly made our trip to Alaska memorable.
Reviewer: Patty
5 Stars
Whale Watch, Icy Strait (Hoona), Alaska
November 01, 2016
A smaller boat with only 14 passengers - holds up to 18 (the cruise line's excursion had over 120). Roomy inside cabin/outside deck sufficient enough for everyone on board. The captain and mate were friendly, courteous, knowledgeable, knew the local waters, made every effort to find whales for us. We saw many. The excursion company emailed/called the week before to advise of a change in our ship's itinerary. The cruise line never notified us, couldn't confirm it when I called, until we got on the ship. We were prepared, already knew, while other cruise passengers were scrambling to shift excursions around. The gentleman who called was the one who picked us up (even gave me his cell #) drove us to the boat, then later served us lunch at the Misty Bay Lodge in Hoona (a local restaurant often featured in Discovery channel's, ""Alaskan Bush People""). It made it feel like a real ""locals"" experience. I highly recommend it.
Reviewer: Lucy C
5 Stars
great excursion!
August 26, 2016
This excursion was amazing. As anticipated, we saw many whales & as a bonus we saw many, many sea lions that entertained us for quite some time.
Reviewer: Beverly Blanton
5 Stars
Whale watch
August 24, 2016
Pretty good day, saw lots of whales, otters & sea lions & even one bear. Sadly, didn't see an orca or any moose. Also was overcast---wish we'd had some sun. It was fun & comfortable & not too many people.
Reviewer: Marcia Forsblad
4 Stars
Perfect weather and lots of whales
August 18, 2016
Whales, sea lions, and eagles! I love Alaska.
Reviewer: Jane
5 Stars
Smaller boat made all the difference
August 18, 2016
What I loved most about this group is that we had a much smaller boat than the cruise ship tours so not only did we all stay dry, but we could stand next to the captain and have a conversation. We saw several humpbacks right off and followed a breaching whale around. He must have breached 20 times. Then we chased after a pod of orcas. I loved how all the boat captains work together to share sightings. Just had a tremendous experience.
Reviewer: Angie OFarrell
5 Stars
Great trip!
August 18, 2016
Our guides were great and knew where to take us to see whales, seals and more. I would recommend this tour highly.
Reviewer: Francia Lubell
5 Stars
Whale watching
August 08, 2016
Very nice excursion. Comfortable boat and knowledgeable tour guide. Very happy as we saw many humpbacks and even an orca and baby.
Reviewer: Lessie Danis
5 Stars
Whale watching
July 19, 2016
loved the whale watching only 4 on the boat
Reviewer: Anonymous
4 Stars
Captain Dan's the Man
July 15, 2016
our instructions to find our tour did not include the name of the company providing it so we weren't sure who we were looking for. The area in which we were supposed to meet is not well marked although once you see the sign, it is obvious. Our guide, Captain Dan was fantastic and found us whales, bears, eagles, sea lions and orcas. It was very exciting to watch for the whales and then Dan would put the boat in high gear and try to get us as close as possible.
Reviewer: valerie
4 Stars
Wonderful whale-watching trip.
June 07, 2016
The trip was wonderful. We saw quite a few whales and some were very close to the boat. There were so many whales in the bay near the marina that we didn't have to spend very much travel time on the water.
Reviewer: The Writer
4 Stars
Great Experience
September 02, 2015
Lots of fun and we got to see a lot of whales
Reviewer: Joe in AZ
5 Stars
wow
August 22, 2015
I've been whale watching before. This was really nice. We were right there with them. wow. Could have been longer.
Reviewer: RC
4 Stars
whale watching
August 19, 2015
I felt we were fortunate to have such a capable and knowledgeable captain who really found the whales. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Reviewer: Connie Morrison
5 Stars
Wonderful way to see Whales
July 13, 2015
Captain and crew work vary well with other whale watchers and knew how to wait on the whales.
Reviewer: Tim
5 Stars
Excelllent excursion
June 08, 2015
Their smaller boat had mechanical problems and we were booked on it. When we got to,port we were offered a full refund or to go on an excursion with a larger amount of people. The original excursion was for 6 people and the one we went on had 17 people. We had just as much fun and saw the exact same whales we would have seen on the smaller boat. The ladies that ran the excursion went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience whale watching.
Reviewer: Jane M
5 Stars
Worth the wait!
June 04, 2015
Goal was accomplished! We saw whales & it was worth the ""whale waiting!""
Reviewer: Alec & Marina
5 Stars