Top Hoonah Shore Excursions

Don’t leave Alaska without witnessing its most incredible creatures: whales, otters, and more. On this 16-person tour—smaller than most local offerings—you’ll grab a seat in the heated cab or out on the deck, following your captain’s search for wildlife. Beyond the wild Alaskan scenery, you might spot humpback whales, orcas, seals, eagles, porpoises, and more.

Experience an authentic local crab feast with freshly caught shellfish that you’ll first see in the fishing boat, where you’ll learn about crabbing and choose your crab. Your local hosts will then take you and a small group on a tour of Hoonah and Icy Strait Village with totem carving and foraging forest visits. The grand finale is a hand-cooked crab feast at a coastal home with ocean views.

See Alaskan wildlife on this whale-watching tour in Hoonah that takes you out onto the waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The Hoonah whale season is roughly May to September. From the boat, you may also spot orcas, seals, and sea otters.

Embark on Alaska’s premier whale-watching adventure aboard the most comfortable and specialized boat in Icy Strait. This 3-hour small-group tour guarantees whale sightings, bringing you up close to humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and more. Enjoy protected indoor seating with panoramic views. Led by local experts, this unforgettable experience ensures timely return for your cruise ship departure.

Focus on spotting native Alaskan wildlife on this half-day shore excursion on Icy Strait. Once your cruise ship docks in Hoonah, transfer to a boat and embark on a whale-spotting tour in Icy Strait. Listen to in-depth guided commentary on local Alaskan flora and fauna while keeping an eye out for whales, geese, coastal ducks, deer, and bears.

This 3-hour driving excursion offers a truly unparalleled Alaska cruise experience, inviting you beyond the ordinary into the authentic heart of the Icy Strait Point area. What sets this tour apart is its immediate immersion into local culture, starting with a beautiful scenic drive leading you directly to the community of Hoonah. Here, you'll be welcomed by Alaskan Natives and lifelong residents who serve as your guides, sharing intimate historical insights as you journey down unique dirt roads initially built for logging timber. These historic routes, now repurposed for tourism, provide exclusive access to the pristine interior of Chichagof Island, unveiling breathtaking landscapes and prime opportunities to spot Alaska's diverse wildlife. Combining comfortable driving with a few very short walks, this tour offers a distinctive blend of local perspective, history, and rugged natural beauty that truly captures the wild spirit of Alaska.

Optimize your chances of seeing humpback whales on a catamaran tour of Hoonah’s Icy Strait. Absorb views of the Alaskan landscape as you explore, and look out for other native fauna including bald eagles, sea lions, and bears. Keep energized with homemade snacks provided on board, and gain insight into the region’s history, culture, and wildlife from your captain.

Take a 4-hour shore excursion from Hoonah to Icy Strait in search of bears. This area is known as ‘Bear Island’ because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. Learn about the area’s other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. Take in the beautiful Alaskan scenery and bring your camera to snap some photos of the wildlife.

We offer halibut fishing with a maximum of 6 people with a local captain and mate who have over 30 years of experience fishing the surrounding waters of Icy Strait Point . Client can catch and release or choose to ship their catch home..

Your experience is very unique because it is on a specifically designed whale watching boat. There will be only up to 13 guests aboard so there is plenty of room inside and out for everyone. Your experienced captain is a local resident with a great deal of knowledge of the wildlife and area, and lots of good stories to tell. Our tour length ensures that you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beauty of our area and the incredible wildlife. We’ve been sharing our part of the world with enthusiastic guests for over 25 years and would love to share it with you, too.

Head into the Icy Straits on a private whale-watching tour. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, Orcas, sea otters, and more. Your captain takes you to the best spots off Hoonah to spot these giant creatures. Relax onboard, sipping provided hot coffee or tea, and be ready to capture wildlife like bald eagles and sea lions.

The waters of Icy Strait near Hoonah Alaska is generally calm. The fishing is close by and we don't need to travel far to start fishing. The added bonus is the marine wildlife that is in area. Most of our fishing trips encounter humpback whales.

The waters of Icy Strait near Hoonah Alaska is generally calm. The fishing is close by and we don't need to travel far to start fishing. The added bonus is the marine wildlife that is in area. Most of our fishing trips encounter humpback whales.

This tour is designed for active and adventurous cruise passengers who are looking for an Alaskan excursion that is off the beaten path and away from the crowds. We’ll depart Icy Strait Point and drive through the Alaska Native Tlingit village of Hoonah before merging onto old logging roads that will take us to a remote river for fishing (spin or fly fishing available). During the car ride and along the river it is common to spot wildlife- the island has more brown bears per square mile than almost anywhere else on the planet! *Groups of more than 6 can be accommodated, please contact us to inquire about booking.

We are a local business operating in the area since 2008 and fishing in the area since 1988. We have a 2019 North River (32ft) with a heated cabin and bathroom facility. The boat has seating for 6. The boat is equipped with twin 250's and a 25 HP trolling motor.

Step off the crowded cruise ship at Icy Strait Point and into nature's stillness. Have a driving tour of the town with a local, learn how people live in this Tlingit village. See what life is really like in Hoonah. Settle onto the deck of a quiet Alaskan lodge, drink herbal tea and take in the sights and sounds of Hoonah then immerse in the sounds of crystal bowls, gong, and chimes as the sound washes over you — a grounding sound journey framed in old‑growth forest, calm water, and rising mountains. This experience is limited to six people, intimate group experience will bring peace, energetic flow and relaxation. Step into the Hoonah Matata Lodge for a mini-retreat experience destined to be your favorite Alaskan memory. A moment of peace in Alaska.