Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point
Recommended by 95% of travelers
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Hoonah, USA
+10
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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
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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
Our tour guides were excellent. We had a great experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone considering it.
Reviews
4.8
based on 487 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Captain and guide were very nice and informative. Overall experience was disappointing, only had 1 encounter and that was a quite a distance. We could see many blows from a distance but never got close enough to see the whales. It should be noted that our tour was at the very end of the season so I’m guessing we shouldn’t have expected any more than we got, certainly was not worth the $450 we paid. Also, the included “snacks” was a joke, a very tiny Biscoff cookie.
This was one of the highlights of our Alaska trip! We were so lucky to see so many humpback whales during the Hoonah Whale Watching Cruise. There were whales appearing again and again around the boat, and it was such an incredible experience to watch them in their natural environment. We even got to see sea lions too, which was such a fun surprise! 🐋🦭
The scenery around Icy Strait Point was beautiful as well, and being out on the water surrounded by Alaska’s amazing landscape made the experience even more special.
The crew was friendly, helpful, and clearly knew where to look for the wildlife. Everything was well organized and we felt very comfortable throughout the trip.
We had an unforgettable time and would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Icy Strait Point. Seeing so many whales and sea lions was definitely one of our favorite memories from Alaska! ❤️
Magnificent trip at Icy Strait Point. Captain Denise was extremely knowledgeable and also shared lots of her local native knowledge along the way. The naturalist Annalise had lots of great info. Boat was not too big and we had lots of space. We saw humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, harbour seals, sea otters and many sea birds. We even followed a pod of orcas for quite some time. On our way back Denise spotted brown bears on the shore and swung the boat around so we could get a closer look, truly amazing experience. I would highly recommend.
Denise was a great guide. The water was very rough but we were still able to see whales. The boat handled the waves very well.
The captain will make sure he’s close to the whales! He did a great job making his passengers happy. The tour guide is knowledgeable, and just as excited as we were to see the pods of whales hunting and breaching. It was a pleasure to be on their boat.
This was the best execution of our trip. Pick up was easy, the boat was so nice and comfortable and Denise and annelise were both amazing at their jobs. We enjoyed listening to Denise’s stories and in the mean time annelise kept her eyes out for wildlife. We saw so many whales!!! Wish we could have stayed out all day but would 100% do this again.
This was an absolutely amazing experience! We were able to see numerous whales. The whales breached and did bubble net feeding and it was just magical to watch! Our Captain Denise was very knowledgeable and a phenomenal person. If we ever come back we hope to have her as our captain again!
This was an exceptionally well done tour. Captain Denise was fantastic. Our naturalist, Annalise was full of great information and answered all the questions. The boat was great - clean, comfortable and had plenty of areas for viewing and keeping warm inside when you needed it. We got extremely lucky with our whale sightings which will make it a trip we won't soon forget. Even if nature is unpredictable, they'll go out of their way to show you as much as possible.
Great tour. Boat not overcrowded and excellent crew. Saw plenty of humpbacks and given plenty of time to view and take pics. Would go it again.
Wonderful time! Saw several humpback whales and more! Captain was great, informative and funny. Highly recommend
Captain Denise was wonderful. Gave us history of her clan and made sure we saw the orcas in the area, which are normally rare! We got close to a pair of Dall porpoises as well!
Beautiful day and the ability to see humpbacks and orcas was awesome. The captain and naturalist shared a lot of stories/information about the animals and local culture
A wonderful experience! Sebastian and Captain “Dave” were full of knowledge and ready to answer any of our questions. The access to the boat was easy and it was great to be in a small group. We were taken to the right spots to catch some spectacular whale watching. Sea Otters, Sea Lions and Whales were who we spent our afternoon with! Sebastian is to be admired for his knowledge and we loved his easy and friendly way. I would recommend this tour although it would be a bit hard for someone with severe physical handicaps.
The crew (especially Sarah) was great! We saw many whales and it was a very fun and worthwhile excursion. Highly recommend!
Great experience, tour guide was very knowledgable about the area. We saw humpback whales, orcas, and sea otters.
Our native Capt., Denise, had great ancestry stories to tell to better understand the culture and ways of life in the region. She took us right to the whales (both Humpback and Orka). The first mate, Annalise (? spelling), was very knowledgeable about the whales as well and did an incredible job narrating throughout the cruise and identifying the the specific whales by scientific name.
Absolutely wonderful experience, we had a naturalist on board and that was great. Say many whales..I would highly recommend this tour
The was a wonderful experience, filled with many whale sightings. Denese and her assistant were filled if information about Icy Straight and the whales. Very comfortable boat and viewing spaces outside.
They guarantee whale sightings and delivered. Great historical stories and educational information on whales, Alaska and it's history in the area.
Boat was comfortable and heated inside. There was a decent amount of space so that most people could have a railing position for viewing. Crew was knowledgeable and kind.
Our guide was excellent and put us on many whales! The captain was very knowledgeable as well. I highly recommend this tour!
Be patient animals in natural surroundings.
Lucky to see Orcas and Humpbacks
Would highly recommend
Good guide
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Comfortable boat with excellent captain and crew member. The stories shared by the captain were entertaining.
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.
Member Pricing
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$213.75
per personWas $225.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point
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