Top Hoonah Cruises & Sailing

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.

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 the rugged beauty of Alaska on a guided kayak tour in the town of Hoonah. Join your guide and small group for a paddle past an old logging camp and towering mountains. Then, move on to a rural area the locals call Long Island for a chance to spot wildlife.

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.

Venture into Alaska’s Icy Strait and search for the gentle giants of the sea on this whale-watching excursion. Join a small group out on the water and listen to commentary from your onboard guide about the local ecology. While you sail, keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales as well as sea lions, sea otters, and occasionally bears and orcas.

The Chichagof Island Tour offers an unparalleled two-hour excursion experience, specifically modified to conveniently accommodate cruise ship guests with limited port schedules in Hoonah. What truly sets this land-based adventure apart is its origin as the only tour company operating from Hoonah, assuring one-of-a-kind viewing and learning opportunities led exclusively by local Alaskan Native guides who are lifelong residents intimately familiar with the area. Guests gain unique cultural knowledge, receiving education about the native Alaskan Tlingit culture and learning to identify local plants with medicinal properties. In addition to promising fascinating wildlife, breathtaking views, and fantastic photo opportunities, the itinerary includes the possibility of picking wild berries when in season or going on short walks, if time allows. Also allows you to take other excursions while at Icy Strait Point.

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.

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.

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..

Escape the ordinary on our fishing trips led by longtime Hoonah residents who call the pristine wilderness of Game Creek their home. Living "off the grid" here in the Tongass National Forest, we provide a unique and practical knowledge of area. Local Expertise: Our guides are not just experts; they are true Alaskans with generations of knowledge about the land, water, and wildlife. Experience fishing like a local and learn the secrets of the best fishing spots. Authentic Wilderness Experience: Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Game Creek. Our trips offer a rare opportunity to fish in crystal-clear streams surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests. Prime Fishing Opportunities: Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, our guided trips cater to all skill levels. Enjoy the thrill of catching wild salmon, trout, and more in their natural habitat. Get hands-on guidance and tips from your knowledgeable guide, making your trip both fun and educational.

Come join us on this 26-foot Hewescraft vessel. This boat was built specifically for whale watching in extreme comfort. This small group excursion will take you away from the crowds and will allow you to view whales up close and personal. Call for private charters. This boat takes only six passengers at a time.

Spend three hours exploring the scenic and remote Chichagod Island on this small group tour that showcases life on the tiny island. Learn from your local guide about the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife while you explore this island that's home to the largest concentration of bears on earth. With just 750 residents, you'll feel far off the beaten path on this tour that's perfect for nature lovers.

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.

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.

Join us for a halibut fishing adventure aboard The Kraken, a 34' vessel navigating the bountiful waters of Icy Strait. Renowned for its exceptional halibut fishing, Hoonah promises an unforgettable experience with ample opportunities to catch your limit during peak season. All necessary fishing gear, bait, and tackle are provided, ensuring a seamless outing. In case of rainy weather, retreat to the cozy cabin for warmth while sharing tales with an experienced captain who brings a lifetime of local knowledge. At the end of your trip, choose to ship your prized catch home, making this adventure not just about fishing, but about creating lasting memories.

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.

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.

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.

This isn't just a wildlife tour, it's an immersive experience led by passionate ocean experts. What makes our 3-hour marine wildlife tours truly unique is the decades of combined experience our captains bring to the water. They're not just following a route; they're drawing on a lifetime of knowledge and intuition to find the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Above all, we prioritize respectful practices and the safety of our passengers, ensuring both the animals and you are treated with care. But perhaps what truly sets us apart is the genuine enthusiasm of our guides. They spend their time off exploring the ocean, and their passion for marine life is infectious, making for an unforgettable and educational tour.

Step off the crowded cruise ship and into nature's stillness. 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, small 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.

This isn't just a wildlife tour, it's an immersive experience led by passionate ocean experts. What makes our 3-hour marine wildlife tours truly unique is the decades of combined experience our captains bring to the water. They're not just following a route; they're drawing on a lifetime of knowledge and intuition to find the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Above all, we prioritize respectful practices and the safety of our passengers, ensuring both the animals and you are treated with care. But perhaps what truly sets us apart is the genuine enthusiasm of our guides. They spend their time off exploring the ocean, and their passion for marine life is infectious, making for an unforgettable and educational tour.

Drop a line for some fresh Alaskan halibut on this small-group fishing charter leaving from Hoonah. Spend less time prepping and more time on the water fishing with everything taken care of, since gear and snacks are included (fishing license costs extra). Plus, search for other marine life like sea otters, humpback whales, sea lions, and eagles. Currently, all trips are catch and release due to fish processing plant closure.