Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hoonah, USA
+10
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
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.
- See humpback whales and other Hoonah marine life in their natural environment
- Watch from the viewing deck or heated cabin
- Look for additional wildlife like bald eagles and blacktail deer
- Choice of several departures throughout the day
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Local guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- Snacks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR TOUR IS SCHEDULED TO DEPART, OUT OF COURTESY TO OTHERS WE LEAVE ON TIME. If your ship is docked at the Ocean Landing Dock, proceed ashore to the Icy Strait Adventure Center. Once inside the Adventure Center walk through the building and exit through door number"2". (This is clearly marked above the door.) Once outside, follow the signs along the gravel path to the Excursion Hub. The total walking time from the ship is 10 minutes, please allow extra time if you are not a fast walker. We ask that you check in 15 minutes early and we leave on time. If your ship is docked at the Wilderness Dock, walk up the dock and to the right. Ride the Green Transporter Gondola(4 minute ride) to the Adventure Landing. Exit the Gondola and go left, follow the signs to the Excursion Hub. If you don't take the Gondola there is a trail that you can walk - it is a 1/2mile walk. As you exit the woods start looking for the sign that says Excursion Hub on your left. Follow the gravel path to the Excursion Hub. Please check in with the Hoonah Travel Adventure Representative when you arrive at the Hub! If you are arriving via AK Seaplanes or AK Marine Highway please call us before your trip to make other arrangements.
What To Expect
1
The Shops By HTA
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name
- Departure times are dependent upon arrival and departure of your cruise ship
- No smoking allowed
- If your ship is docked at the Adventure/Ocean Landing Dock, proceed ashore to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. Once inside the Adventure Center walk through the building and exit through door number “2”. (This is clearly marked). Follow the signs on the gravel path to the Excursion Hub. The total walking time is 6-8 minutes, please allow extra time if you are not a slower walker. We ask that you check in for your tour 15 minutes early and we leave on time.
- If your ship is docked at the Wilderness Dock, walk up the dock and to the right. Ride the Green Transporter Gondola(4 minute ride) to the Adventure Landing. Exit left and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub. The total walking time if you ride the free dock to dock Gondola is 6-8 minutes, please allow extra time if you are a slower walker. We ask that you check in for your tour 15 minutes early and we leave on time.
- There is NO WIFI or Cell Service at the port area. You will NOT Be able to pull up your email or see you reservation online. Print your connecting instructions!!!
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Question (1)
Q:Is this tour available from Sitka?
A:No. This tour departs from Hoonah and is not available to travelers visiting Sitka
Feb 2023
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kathleen_D
Our tour guides were excellent. We had a great experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone considering it.
Reviews
4.8
based on 455 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Nestor_M, Aug 2026
Our guide was excellent and put us on many whales! The captain was very knowledgeable as well. I highly recommend this tour!
Alistair_G, Aug 2026
Be patient animals in natural surroundings.
Lucky to see Orcas and Humpbacks
Would highly recommend
Good guide
JoriNelson_J, Aug 2026
Excellent and friendly tour guides and captain. We saw several whales and other animals. Very cold and damp out on the water, so come dressed appropriately!!
Bob_B, Aug 2026
My wife and I traveled with our friends and booked the whale watching trip. The pick up was easy, the captain and her 1st mate were really friendly and engaging and worked hard to make sure we saw whales. We were fortunate to see both humpback and orcas.
Ichrak_M, Aug 2026
Wonderful tour. The operator was reliable, the boat was beautiful, spotless, and comfortable, with plenty of outdoor access and enough space for everyone despite being a medium-sized group.
A knowledgeable young lady on board provided interesting explanations about the city, wildlife, orcas, and humpback whales. We were lucky to encounter a group of several orcas, as well as numerous whales. The highlight was seeing a humpback whale breach completely out of the water very close to our boat, an absolutely extraordinary experience!
We highly recommend this tour and would gladly do it again.
Lisa_B, Aug 2026
This was one of the most amazing travel experiences you could hope for. Captain Denise was amazing, full of stories and lore of the area, and we were so lucky to see orcas that followed our boat and a humpback whale that breached multiple times right in front of us. Then, a bald eagle was soaring overhead and then dove and caught a fish right next to our boat. Naturalist Annalise was the perfect fit for this tour, and was as excited as we were to see these amazing creatures.
Diane_K, Aug 2026
Viator description says water provided. It is not. Bring your own.
Boat holds 30 guests, and our group was 30. Saw humpback whales, orcas and otters. Hard to get good photos, because so many crowded to front deck
liliyaroytburd, Aug 2026
We saw so many whales . Amazing tour!!! We got so many videos that day. We took a 5 pm tour . We were by the ship before 8 . So it was plenty of time with a 9 pm departure
nancy_r, Aug 2026
Comfortable boat with excellent captain and crew member. The stories shared by the captain were entertaining.
Soma_S, Aug 2026
We had an amazing time and great experience. Captain Denise, along with the rest of the crew, was a brilliant tour guide. It was lovely to hear about life in Hoonah and to learn more about Captain Denise’s own life and experiences.
The wildlife experience was fantastic—we saw lots of humpback whales as well as sea otters. One of the highlights was being able to listen to the sounds the whales make underwater through a hydrophone, which made the experience even more special and memorable.
A wonderful, personal, and unforgettable tour that we would highly recommend.
Jennene_S, Aug 2026
It was very nice with a knowledgeable guide and captain. Beautiful day and memorable experience. Small group made it even better.
Susan_A, Aug 2026
Wonderful experience. Saw many humpbacks, plus an otter, bald eagles and sea lions. Crew was really great.
MarcyL_M, Aug 2026
The captain and crew was very knowledgeable about their native heritage and about whale watching. We observed some a small pod of orcas we watched the whales for a few minutes then the captain left the area and stated we have better whales further out. We then got to the area to the pod of humpback whales at first the advised about the humpback whales , we started watching the whales then the crew stayed silent. The humpback whales appeared in another area and no one told anyone they were there. We had younger kids and teenagers who really wanted to see the whales.
I feel as a person that travels around the world to see whale watching the captain and 1 crew member could have done better.
The captain acted like it was just a job maybe a little more effort and time to watch the whales would have been better
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us and for your feedback. We are a little surprised by the three-star rating based on the experience you described.
During your tour, you learned about the local Tlingit culture and heritage from our knowledgeable crew, encountered a pod of orcas—which is a relatively rare sighting in our area—and then traveled farther to spend time viewing humpback whales. By most measures, that is a very successful whale-watching trip.
We would also like to clarify something that guests may not always realize. Our captains and crews communicate with other vessels throughout the trip and are constantly receiving information about whale activity in different areas. Hearing a report over the radio that whales have been spotted somewhere else does not necessarily mean that location can be reached safely and still allow us to return on time. Distances on the water can be significant, and our captains must continually consider travel time, sea conditions, wildlife activity, and the scheduled return time of the tour.
Whales are also wild animals that surface and move unpredictably. A humpback surfacing in another area does not mean the crew is unaware of it or intentionally choosing not to point it out. Our captains make decisions throughout the trip about where to position the vessel and how best to provide everyone aboard with a quality viewing experience while respecting the wildlife.
We certainly appreciate your comments regarding crew interaction and will take that feedback into consideration. At the same time, we are pleased that your family had the opportunity to experience Tlingit culture, see humpback whales, and have the added bonus of encountering orcas during your time with us. Those are some pretty special experiences to have on a single tour....Marc
lois_S, Aug 2026
We enjoyed a personalized experience with Captain Denise- she is
a local of the Tlingit tribe who lives in Hoonah year round- she gave us lots of information about her people and history AND took us to see orca's and humpback whales-
Donna_M, Aug 2026
I inquired as to whether the excursion was accessible to a disabled family member (who uses a wheelchair for assistance, but can also walk some). They assured that it would be. The ramp down to the boat and back up was VERY steep and very difficult for the family member and those assisting him. I do not believe this excursion meets federal ADA guidelines.
Staff was helpful in assisting our needs as much as they could.
Did not see many whales.
The excursion states 3 hours start to finish... even including transportation to and from the hub, our excursion lasted 2 1/2 hours.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for reaching out.
We want to be very clear regarding the physical requirements of this tour and the factors that are within our control.
Transportation and accessibility from the cruise ship to our designated pickup location are not under our control. Our responsibility for the tour begins once guests arrive at our pickup location.
From that point, we clearly explain what a guest must physically be able to accomplish in order to participate in the tour:
* Negotiate three tall steps when entering and exiting the bus.
* Walk up or down the marina ramp to reach the vessel. The ramp rises and falls with the tide and, depending on the tide level, can be quite steep.
* Negotiate three tall steps when entering and exiting the boat.
The slope of the marina ramp is determined entirely by the tide. We have no control over the tide or the angle of the ramp at the specific time a tour departs or returns.
When we are told that a guest “can walk with assistance,” we have no way of knowing exactly what that means for that particular individual. The level and type of assistance one person requires can be very different from another.
For that reason, we cannot make that determination for the guest. What we can—and do—provide is a clear description of exactly what the guest will need to physically accomplish. The guest, their family, or caregiver is in the best position to determine whether they can safely meet those requirements based on their individual circumstances.
We do not want to tell someone that they can or cannot participate based simply on a statement that they “can walk with assistance.” Instead, we provide the specific physical requirements so they can make an informed decision for themselves.
Unfortunately, we cannot control the tides, change the slope of the marina ramp, or eliminate the steps required to enter and exit the vehicles and vessel. These are inherent physical aspects of accessing and participating in this particular tour.
Shae_S, Aug 2026
We had a wonderful experience seeing whales, Orchas, seals, etc in addition to learning the history about hoonah.
Jeannette_S, Aug 2026
We have had the best day on this amazing tour and saw so many whales.The service is really good.
The tour guide and the captain had a wealth of experience & knowledge and knew the best places to see the whales.
Would definitely recommend
Christine_T, Jul 2026
Incredible views of whales bubble-net fishing. Stunning! The only thing is I wished the captain of the boat would turn the boat sideways instead of always facing the whale activity. Because of that, only the few lucky enough to stand at the limited area in the front had a great view. Those standing on both sides of the boat missed out.
Debbie_F, Jul 2026
The guides were excellent! They knew where to find the best whale watching spots. Saw 9 humpbacks-- breaching, bubbles feeding. Saw bear, sea otters, and sea lions too. Great cultural insight from captain Denise.
James_V, Jul 2026
Hoonah—Icy Strait Point has a local group of humpback whales that regularly bubble feed together. We were able to repeatedly see this amazing behavior five times in just one tour.
Nicole_K, Jul 2026
It was easy finding the meetup spot for our driver, who was very knowledgable and basically gave us a narrated tour as we were driving to the dock. We had Captain Denise who was SPECTACULAR and the naturalist (I forgot her name) was super friendly and taught us a lot. The boat is covered with really comfy seats and a heater so we were comfortable with the 35 min ride to and from the whale hot spot area. Then we spent time on the front and back of the ship. We were insanely lucky and spotted a brown bear on the beach, and then about 15 whales making dives for about an hour. One pod of 3 whales came within 300 yards of the boat (hard to tell exact distance but basically closer than I thought I’d ever get to see a whale). This was NOT normal, so don’t expect to see this many whales, but Captain Denise is incredibly experienced and talented at tracking and finding the whales period. She also graciously shared some stories from her people, and got permission from other tribes to share some stories too. Highly highly recommend this experience.
Mitchell_M, Jul 2026
You are going to see a lot of whales. About 100 yards, federal law prohibits intentional close encounters with whales (not orcas). Occasionally with engines off, a pod comes close if you are lucky. It was mid July, and the Orcas were around but apparently more plentiful in June. Learned Alaska has a season for sites, if you are in the right place at the right time, bingo. The crew delivered and I can highly recommend
Nancy_R, Jul 2026
Be prepared to be wowed! We got to experience and see many whales, seals, otters, and bears! Not only did we see the Whales, but we also got to hear them! We learned about the culture and the history of Icy Straight from our captain and first mate. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!
Jason_H, Jul 2026
Exceptional communication and customer service. They went out of their way to call me directly with questions I had and very honest crew.
Alysha_M, Jul 2026
Excellent tour! The staff were fun and knowledgeable. We saw orcas and several groups of hump back whales. Everything from start to finish was exceptional. Highly recommend this tour!
GiniO, Jul 2026
It was terrific! Our guide was a local lady, and knew where to go to see whales, seals, and even a couple of brown bears.
iris930, Jul 2026
The best excursion! The deck crew was super friendly and the captain led us to see all sorts of wildlife! More than we could have asked for! Thank you for the wonderful memories!
Michael_R, Jul 2026
What a great trip. The tour guides were excellent, informative and genuinely knew their stuff. I was a little concerned at first since we ran out a good ways before we actually saw some whales but once we saw them, we saw a lot of them. Orca’s, Humpbacks, sea lions etc….incredible. There was a passenger with us on another cruise ship that needed to get back early and they actually took us to a different disembarkation point that brought us closer to the cruise ships. They went out of their way to make sure he got back on his boat on time..
Vivian_B, Jul 2026
This was a great tour, very efficiently run, shuttle picked us up by the cruise terminal and took us right to the boat. We all very much enjoyed the stories Denise shared from her culture and the area. We were able to see a harbour seal, sea lions, sea otters and an entire family of humpback whales and capped it off with some surprise orcas! Such a beautiful tour
Brandi_C, Jul 2026
We had a fantastic experience on this tour. Our captain was really great and was able to find us not only humpback whales, but also orcas. This was a highlight for our child as we have not seen orcas on previous whale watching tours.
From $225.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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