Icy Strait Whale Watching and Wildlife Sightseeing

Step off your cruise ship and dive into a world of awe-inspiring wildlife and breathtaking landscapes on our sightseeing tour in Icy Strait, Alaska. Watch the majestic humpback whales make their epic summer migration and observe other local fauna in their natural habitats, making this the ultimate Alaskan experience!

This journey of discovery begins at the Icy Strait Point Excursions Hub where our shuttle eagerly awaits to whisk you off to the tranquil Hoonah City Harbor. En route, keep your eyes peeled for the diverse array of Alaskan wildlife, including bald eagles, blacktail deer, and more.

Once aboard our charter boat, we'll sail along the verdant shorelines spotting coastal birds, bears, and deer. Prepare to be swept off your feet as you behold the amazing spectacle of humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions frolicking in the pristine waters. This is an absolute treat for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike!

Visitors between May and September will witness large numbers of humpback whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters around Point Adolphus, Glacier Bay, and Icy Strait before the winter migration starts. These majestic creatures can reach over 50 feet in length and are famous for their enchanting whale songs, thought to be a mating call. Watch these gentle giants perform their natural behaviors, such as diving, blowing, and fluking. Lucky guests might even witness the spectacular sight of a whale breaching or the unique bubble-net feeding, a strategy where a pod forms a circle and drives krill and plankton to the surface.

After an exhilarating 2.5-hour adventure on the water, you'll return to the dock for the optional exploration of Hoonah. We provide regular shuttle transfers every 30 minutes ensuring you're back at your cruise ship in time.

This sightseeing tour is an unforgettable experience packed with great photo ops and interesting facts about Alaskan wildlife. You won't want to miss this perfect blend of education, sightseeing, and adventure during your cruise stop at Icy Strait, Alaska. Be sure to book your spot today!

Alaska Gold Panning & Salmon Feast Cruise Excursion Juneau

Relive Juneau's gold rush history by panning for gold on this Juneau cruise excursion, and then enjoy a delicious salmon bake at Salmon Creek!

A costumed prospector will drive you to historic Last Chance Basin. You will trace the route taken by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris in their search for gold over 100 years ago. Near the famous Juneau gold mine, one of the world's largest hard rock mining operations at its peak, you will get hands on experience gold panning in Gold Creek. This Juneau excursion is open to all ages, and those with limited mobility, can learn how to go gold panning and capture the full gold rush experience. You're guaranteed to find gold! All that glitters is yours to keep.

Around you are remnants of the original buildings of the Alaska-Juneau Mining Company, which at the height of production was the largest operation of its type in the world. Throughout this Juneau tour, you'll learn about the mining techniques that were used and the quest for gold that is so much a part of Alaska's history. Take home a souvenir Orelove Brothers Gold Claim Certificate, all the gold you find, and an appreciation of what it was like to seek your fortune in the wilds of Alaska more than a century ago.

Gold-panning is hungry work, so you're sure to have an appetite. Experience Alaska's original outdoor salmon bake. Upon arrival at Gold Creek Salmon Bake, Alaskan-caught wild salmon will be grilling over an open alder wood fire. The sumptuous spread has something for everyone with a variety of Alaskan entrees, sides, and blueberry cake for dessert. Relax listening to live Alaskan folk music in a truly unique, lush rainforest environment under heated, translucent domes.

Take a short stroll along a natural salmon-spawning creek to the entrance of the Wagner Mine at beautiful Salmon Creek Falls, where you can pan for gold, see mining relics, and look for salmon. Have fun roasting marshmallows over a campfire and taking photos at our interactive, gold rush mural. The food, entertainment, activities, and ambiance make Gold Creek Salmon Bake an Alaskan experience that is much more than a meal. Explore at your leisure, and then hop on one of the buses provided when you are ready to go back to the pier after your Juneau shore excursion.

Best of Sitka

Get to know Alaska's first capitol and experience this unique city through the eyes of a local guide, there is no better way to learn about a place you have never been. Your group is purposely kept to a small number of only 10 guests, allowing for a much more intimate and one-on-one experience with your friendly, knowledgeable and professional guide.

Boldly existing between the mountains and the sea, Sitka is an island community where the arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives. Tlingit, Russian and American settlers have all called Sitka home. Today, cultural influences from all three groups remain. From viewing traditional dancing to hiking a totem-lined trail through the rainforest, visitors still experience the cultural richness that inspired Sitka's 19th century nickname, the "Paris of the Pacific".

Begin your tour at the Harrigan Centennial Hall. Climb aboard a comfortable, full-size passenger van and begin to make your way south on Sitka's road system. Always keep your eyes peeled as you might spot bald eagles in the tree-tops and Sitka black tail deer grazing on brush. Drive around Silver Bay, a body of water surrounded by high mountains where in the later months of the season humpback and minke whales can sometimes be seen here. With time and weather permitting, make a stop here for photos.

Near the end of the road system you will arrive at The Fortress of the Bear. This non-profit rescue facility is home to seven Alaskan bears. Get up close and personal with the four rescued beautiful Alaskan coastal brown bears and three black bears, the only black bears on Baranof Island. This education and rescue center reside on an exquisite three-quarter acre habitat for orphaned brown bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas in a natural habitat setting which replicates Southeast Alaska.

After spending time with the bears travel next to The Alaskan Raptor Center. This rehabilitation center for birds of prey has a state-of-the-art flight room and is home to multiple rescued eagles, owls and other birds of prey found in Southeast Alaska.

Sitka National Historical Park in on your own. This protected area of temperate rain forest stretches out to a peninsula and offers multiple, easily accessible trail loops that contour Indian River and the Eastern Channel waters. Totem poles punctuate these trails. This park is also the site of a battle between the Sheetka Kwan Kiksadi Clan and Russian American troops, during the 19th century. Choose to walk through the park or visit the amazing cultural center, which offers its own onsite interpreters, as well as exhibits and demonstrations for traditional techniques such as carving, working with fur, beading, and metal working.

A well-rounded introduction to all things Sitka awaits on this best of tour. Spend two hours being introduced to Southeast Alaska and still have time left to explore, shop and taste local cuisine on your own afterwards. Space is limited so book today as not to miss out.

Highlights of Ketchikan Tour

Ketchikan, Alaska, is a small city that directly faces the famous Inside Passage, known as a popular cruise destination. It is the state's south-eastern-most town and is known for its many Native American totem poles on display throughout the vicinity. You can experience snow capped mountains, salmon spawning streams, waterfalls and rich wildlife including bald eagles and black bears.

Your day of discovery into this charming city starts with a short Ketchikan city tour where you will drive by some of the area's many salmon canneries and learn about the salmon industry. From town you will make your way to the Eagle Point Education Center. Here you will have the opportunity to see eagles in their natural setting and see a native carver working on a totem pole. While here you will also be provided the opportunity to try delicious, local salmon samples.

After eagle point you will travel to Saxman Native village where you will be greeted by the largest collection of standing totems in one location. Walk through the 25 replicas of original Native Alaskan totem poles and observe the artistic carvings revealing stories of the people and legends of the past.

From here continue to scenic Rotary Beach. Make a brief stop to check for whales and other wildlife that may be spotted in the area. This beach is popular with the locals and it's easy to see why with the great opportunities to see humpback and orca whales as they migrate through Nicolas Passage.

After that it's off to Herring Cove for an excellent chance to view the areas majestic bald eagles, seals, heron and even bears at times, not to mention thousands of salmon returning to the place of their birth upstream!

Your tour will stop last at one of the area's cascading and beautiful waterfalls for picture opportunities before your comfortable return trip back to the pier area and your ship.

Your visit to Ketchikan will most certainly be one to remember when you book this tour. For those who love nature and animals you don't want to miss out, book now!

Please Note: Restrooms available at Rotary Beach, Saxman Village and Herring Cove. Also, please be advised wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.