Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hoonah, USA
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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 (451ft). 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 (451ft). 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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Departure times are dependent upon arrival and departure of your cruise ship
- No smoking allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 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
Kathleen_D
Our tour guides were excellent. We had a great experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone considering it.
Reviews
4.9
based on 336 reviews
Kelly_O, Sep 2025
We found this to be a great experience, with the guide, being incredibly informative about all things about not only the whales, but also the area. The boat was very comfortable as well.
Dawn_P, Sep 2025
This was an amazing day! We saw Orcas, Humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters and whales even sang to us! We also saw a bear on the beach.And we stayed dry and warm.
Keith_B, Sep 2025
Had a great time. We watched some ne whale breach 7 times which is highly unusual. Boat was very comfortable and the captain and crew were very attentive to guests.
Tiffani_B, Jul 2025
Beat experience ever! Booked for excursion while on cruise and made it back in plenty of time and saw orcas, whales, sea lions and otters! Captain Denise is very knowledgeable and has great stories!
Mary_M, Jul 2025
We were able to see many humpbacks from a distance. It was very cool. We also saw a few sea otthers and maybe a sea lion. The boat was comfortable and the captain knew where to go to find whales. I deducted two stars because Captain Paul was really irritating to be around. He did share some good nature facts but mostly he never stopped talking about himself and his superiority the whole time. The capper was when he used the R-slur. While he knows what he is doing as a boat captain, he needs to improve on interpersonal skills.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Very glad we accomplished our mission of getting you on MANY whales as well as other wildlife??? I'm sorry I do not know what the R-slur might be? But yes, Capt Paul has many stories that he like to share. He has done and seen more than most in his lifetime and he does share alot. Thank you for taking the time to review us! Have a great day!
Melissa_W, Jul 2025
This was an awesome whale watching experience. Paul and Patrick were great. Paul had the best stories and clearly loves nature and animals. He had a wealth of knowledge. Definitely recommend!
Vicki_G, Jul 2025
This tour was amazing, the highlight of our land tour after our Alaska cruise. We were a group of four in our 60s and 70s. Our captain, Denise Gray, a native of the area was extremely personable and knowledgeable. She knew where the whales were and provided us with an experience that we will remember forever. We even got to see a full breach right beside the boat. We were so glad we were on a vessel with a small group rather that some of the others we observed with close to a hundred people packed like sardines. This excursion was not cheap, but it was well worth the money in our opinions.
Barbara_B, Jul 2025
What an incredible experience! This was a well organized tour and Captain Paul was so knowledgeable. We saw plenty of whales and really enjoyed our time in the water. We ended it with some tacos from Oso Gordito!
Lauren_P, Jun 2025
Paul and the Hoonah team were superb. Not only did we get incredible views of a small group of whales, Paul and Patrick were a wealth of knowledge, sharing stats about whales, the local terrain and other native animals throughout our excursion. Boat seating was fully enclosed, providing warmth when needed from the cool / windy weather. We’d 100% book with Hoonah Tours again!
Nattie, Jun 2025
Wow! What an experience! You don't truly understand the size and breadth of a whale until you're up close and personal with one. I enjoyed my time on the water with Lisa Marie and Debbie? Sorry, if I got the name of the woman who was piloting the boat wrong.
They were great. The boat pilot was an awesome storyteller and shared a great deal about her indigenous heritage.
We got to see whales coming to the surface. None of them jumped out of the water, but just seeing them so close, was amazing! This is a must-do if you're in Hoonah.
Thank you.
Sean_D, Jun 2025
We had a great trip with an experienced and knowledgeable captain and deck hand. We followed a group of three whales and had a fantastic experience.
jenniffer_t, Jun 2025
Great info from Paul. Very informative . Fun. Exciting. Our tour guy knew right where to go up close and personal with whales
kelsi_h, May 2025
Boat driver had lots of interesting local stories. We saw humpbacks, grizzly bears and sea lions. Boat has indoor and outdoor seating. They provided hand warmers and blankets.
Shari_T, May 2025
This is a fantastic trip!! The boat is covered with comfortable seats. The only thing is if you are boarding at low tied the ramp is at about a 45 degree angle - very steep and not at all handicap accessible. Capt Paul is excellent as was his helper Patrick. They gave us history and facts about the area and wild life. We saw humpback whales, seal lions, bears, eagles, and beautiful scenery. It was an excellent day. Transportation to Hoonah was comfortable and easy to get to from icy strait point.
Bruce_P, May 2025
Very good tour. It was a cold and rainy day but the captain did all he could and was able to get some great views. Also liked hearing about the history and life in Hoonah.
Lisa_A, Sep 2024
Seeing the whales is such a beautiful experience. Pictures just don’t do them justice. To see them in person and experience how big they are and how they sound is magical. If you get to see them breach it’s breath taking.
Gary_C, Sep 2024
One of the best excursions ever! When we boarded the boat, I asked the guide if there was a good chance that we'd see whales. She guaranteed we would and did not disappoint. There were several boats out looking for whales and the captains of each ship were talking to each other when a whale was sited. Great trip and great commentary by the guide and the captain.
Steven_P, Sep 2024
Hoonah is a small town or village with big docks for cruise ships. The cruise ship docks are called Icy Strait Point, buts it’s part of Hoonah. Capetian Paul and his deck hand were very friendly and explained all the facts about whales we didn’t know, like all the humpbacks don’t go to Hawaii in the winter and they are easy to find because they tend to stay in the same area. When a humpback surfaces and exhales the spout or blow is visible for miles when the visibility is good. When their fluke rises into the air they are starting a dive and will be down 5 to 15 minutes.
We enjoyed the excursion and will do it again.
We saw orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, and seals.
Elizabeth_D, Sep 2024
We really enjoyed to guides and the information and stories. We were lucky to have good weather and also got to see orcas. My kids enjoyed the experience.
Brian_P, Sep 2024
This is an excellent tour that takes you straight to an area off Hoonah where humpback whales often gather. We saw numerous surfacings over our three hour trip and also some breeches. Boat cabin provides shelter from wind and rain. Tour guide was highly knowledgeable and friendly. This is a chance to experience something authentic and real during a stop at Icy Strait Point.
Jacqueline_A, Sep 2024
We had to wait a little while before we were picked up, maybe about 10 minutes or so. It was raining but there was a covered area but no seating there. The staff was all friendly and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the whale watching however expected to be able to see more of the whales and not just humpback whales. I also expected to see more other wildlife closer up like bears and otters. I'd done a different whale watching boat in Alaska in 2022 and orcas would come up very close to the boat and we saw a lot of other area wildlife closer up than on this tour. I understand that orcas and humpback whales are totally different though and that's why I do recommend the tour for people who want to see humpback tails and sides. The boat captain did point out some bears on shore but they were too far away to see and my binoculars were of no help. We also came across one sea lion (I think that's what they said it was). I got a good picture of that an a couple humpback tails.
Jacqueline_S, Aug 2024
Denise and Carson were great guides. Highly recommend this tour. The experience was amazing. And the history told by Denise was great.
Jim_P, Aug 2024
Cold and soaking wet trying to find our guide. A lady directed us to take the transporter to get to the tour group. Missed our tour. No bus ever came.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
We are very sorry Jim_P that you did not follow the very clear and simple connecting instructions contained in your confirmation email and that you missed your departure. Everyone off of your ship that participated in this tour made it to us 15 minutes prior to departure as requested. The transport arrived on time and as we always do, we left on time out of courtesy to the rest of the participants who showed up on time. Our recommendation for anyone traveling to any unknown destination and going on a tour would be that they review how to get to where they need to be the night prior. It just makes sense. One would not go on a planned road trip to a place they had never been without first reviewing a map.
Jared_S, Aug 2024
Great captain, safe journey, and we saw tons of whales. We highly recommend for anyone who's visiting Hoonah.
Danielle_D, Aug 2024
The captain was very knowledgeable and provided so many interesting facts about the area, the whales, the sea lions, and the otters. There were several children on the tour and he was extremely patient and provided them guidance to keep everyone safe. He and his assistant knew were to find the whales and he delivered.
Raymond_C, Aug 2024
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT AND EXCELLENT. Capt Denise and her Marine Biologist assisted were full of incredible facts. They made the trip so much fun for all to experience. A must attend when in Hoonah.
David_M, Aug 2024
Highly recommend this whale watch trip. Boat was excellent, plenty of indoor space if bad weather, but also plenty of viewing space outside for watching. Didn't have to go very far to meet the Humpback whales, maybe 5 minutes and we were on top of them. Also found a huge family of Killer Whales. Saw Sea Lions, otters and tons of whales. Crew was knowledgeable and kept everyone engaged the entire trip. Got us back to Hoonah with plenty of time to get back to our ship.
Ckcooper, Aug 2024
We had the most fantastic time with Hoonah Whale Watching. Denise (our captain) and Carson (our naturalist) were superb! They were both so knowledgeable and shared so much with us. We enjoyed Denise’s stories about Tlinket history and traditions. Carson answered all our questions about the many whales, sea loins and otters we saw. Our day with them was our favorite day of the cruise!
Henry_K, Aug 2024
Our boat captain was very knowledgeable and went out of her way to make this memorable experience.
Saw many whales and other wildlife⁰
Toby_E, Aug 2024
We saw whale’s sea lions bears and more great couple of hours with a knowledgeable guide do it!!
You will see so many whales sea lions and beautiful views as well!
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Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point
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