Kayak Tours
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hoonah, USA
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
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.
- Explore Hoonah from a different perspective—the water
- All necessary kayaking equipment is provided
- Enjoy a relaxing time exploring Alaska’s nature
- A small group means more attention from your guide
What's Included
- We'll provide life jackets, paddles, kayaks, and spray skirts. As well as light rain ponchos if its a rainy day
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Icy Strait Point108 Cannery Rd, Hoonah, AK 99829, USA
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 Adventure Dock, proceed ashore to the 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 fast 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 ramp and to the right. Ride the FREE Green Transporter Gondola(4 minute ride) to the Adventure Landing. Exit the Gondola to the Left and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub, a 3 minute walk. Please check in with the Hoonah Travel Representative in the Blue Shirt/Jacket when you arrive at the Hub!
Itinerary
Hoonah (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Stephanie_G
What a fantastic experience with Fairweather Kayaks. I was so very fortunate as I received a one on one tour which I can’t promise for others, but even without the individualized attention this was a special experience. We arrived to meet a friendly family that went the extra mile in every way, including taking photos of us they emailed that day. Hoonah didn’t deliver a beautiful sunny morning for us, but the water was calm and the journey was peaceful. I would do this excursion 10/10 times. Icing on the cake was getting to shop at the HTA store after with great deals. Thank you Cody and Michelle!
Reviews
4.9
based on 338 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Patricia_G, Jul 2026
Terrific experience along the pristine and beautiful waters of Hoonah! I had never Kayaked before and their team was patient. Did not feel like a beginner at all and the landscape was breathtaking. 6 miles of Kayaking - a snap! Bald Eagles, Whales, a Sea Otter, flopping Salmon - no bear sightings this time but amazing nonetheless. Nature is unpredictable and while this was not chock full of wildlife compared to others tours in other locations this go around for us, it was phenomenal! Very impressed with the guides - two in separate kayaks and a safety boat nearby with snacks! Highly Recommend!
Jami_A, Jul 2026
Cody did a great job showing us how to paddle efficiently and safely guiding us through a fantastic kayak experience. Exceeded our expectations. It was a magical day. The waters were like glass. We could have enjoyed the entire day, it was peaceful and beautiful. Water and snacks were provided. The salmon were jumping all over us. We enjoyed seeing the enormous sea cucumbers and starfish. Got to hold a big crab. Highly recommend!
Marilyn_B, Jul 2026
Due to weather you will want to bring a beanie and sun visor to keep light drizzle from your face. We were provided with an apron to keep us totally dry. You do not need water shoes but instead tennis shoes and dress in layers. We saw a star fish, a bald eagle, and a sea cucumber. We did not see a bear on the shore or a whale unfortunately. U really wanted to see a bear. Maybe next time. Overall an invigorating experience that requires lots of paddling.
Christina_B, Jul 2026
Cody and team were amazing guides and our family of 5 loved this kayaking adventure! Our group ranged in age from 12 to 70 and everyone enjoyed it. We saw eagles, seals, starfish, and crabs. The kayaking was not overly difficult and Cody did an awesome
job of coaching our crew on the correct form. Everyone was incredibly nice and knowledgeable. A safety boat (motorized) goes with the group and takes photos which are sent to everyone afterwards - they were all amazing! Highly recommend this tour. Take a change of clothes if you are worried about being damp on the ride back or have other plans afterwards. A few in our group had wet bottoms from water in the kayak.
theodora_m, Jul 2026
Easy access to the pickup spot via the gondola from where our ship docked. Our group of seven shared the tour's shuttle with a few other people and we were at the marina in a matter of minutes. There were four from the tour company there to help us settle into our kayaks comfortably making sure phones, binoculars and other personal items were safely secured. Water and light snacks were provided. No whales on our tour, but Dave and Cody took a different route in the water that led us to a brown bear and her two cubs playing on a nearby beach. Eagles and harbor seals also made frequent appearances. Amazing scenery, and a great upper body workout to boot! If not for the occasional seaplane passing over and the splashes from our paddles, it was only peaceful sounds of pure nature. We appreciated their photographer who shared the 200+ photos they captured along the way. We loved this tour and would recommend this company to anyone looking to support a local small business for an active outdoor activity. We would love to return and take this tour again to see the whales!
Liora_H, Jul 2026
From the moment we arrived, everyone was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and genuinely focused on making sure every guest had a great time.
The guides went above and beyond to help us spot wildlife, which we know is never guaranteed. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, and dedication made the tour even more enjoyable.
I was especially impressed by their outstanding customer service. I accidentally left my prescription sunglasses behind after the tour, and they found them and mailed them back to me in Florida. I truly appreciated their kindness and willingness to help.
I highly recommend this company to anyone visiting Icy Strait Point. They provide a memorable experience and exceptional customer service from start to finish!
Lauren_T, Jul 2026
Great experience - at the time of your tour start time you'll need to go to the 'Excursion Hub' at the touristy 'Adventure Hub' to free shuttle into Hoonah where Fairweather Kayaks operated our kayak tour. They had a small boat following our kayaks taking photos of our experience, and had real locals' knowledge of where various animals might be. They went to different places from the other 'straight from the cruise ship' tours - don't hesitate to book this one instead!
Wendy_R, Jun 2026
We had a wonderful time. The instructor was very clear and helpful. He encouraged us along the way and shared information about the locals.
We saw a momma bear and her cubs, eagles, and a pod of whales in the distance. It was just so peaceful and beautiful. I would definitely do it again and with Cody and his crew.
They also took pictures of us along the way for our memories. Thank you for a wonderful and memorable experience!
Lee_S, Jun 2026
Guides were awesome and it’s a great area to kayak. Saw bears and other cool stuff.
My 12 year old did great with it.
Darren_I, Jun 2026
Beautiful scenery, tour was very well put together, staff were knowledgeable and extremely friendly. Would highly recommend.
Amanda_Z, Jun 2026
No need to worry about wet feet or spare clothes. They haul you into the water, and even provided snacks 2/3 of the way through. We saw 2 bears on the shore, several bald eagles. Pretty calm part of the body of water, paddled under a few bridges. All kayaks were tandem to be faster.
Martyn_J, Jun 2026
The tour was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions however we found out from staff at an adjacent attraction.
No communication received from Viator or the the tour company
Response from Host, Jun 2026
This tour was not canceled this day. The customer didnt contact my business for cancelation this day or days after the tour. We waited for them at the pick up area to go into town. My driver and myself called them. The phone service in town could be bad when the ship comes into town. Calls most of the time don't go through. Thats why we stress study your instructions on how to find us. The tour offered through the ship and the main port was canceled. Different business and different tour entirely. None of the local tours in town would say that my kayak tour was cancelled like that was mentioned. The local tours in town dont communicate like that. They would say contact the owner of the business to verify. They do not speak for other business. I would have called and sent an email out if we did cancel. My guess is this group went to the kayak center instead of the excursion hub where we pick up our clients to drive into town. The other kayak tour offered through the ship at the kayak center did cancel that day due to weather. There route is different from ours. We did not cancel and not once did I receive a call or email from this client after the tour was done on June 16th. It is now June 24th of this review.
Petra_S, Jun 2026
The your was excellent. It was individualized, the pace was great and we saw much wildlife, including a bear and two cubs. The your company takes pictures of everything and the guests and uploads them for free for guests to share. Cody was a delight as were the other tour guides. Highly recommend!
SIMON_H, Jun 2026
Our family of three had an absolutely amazing kayak tour experience! We were the only guests on the trip, which made it feel incredibly special and personalized from start to finish.
Dave was our kayak guide, and he was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure we had a great time on the water. We were also accompanied by Cody and Michelle on the safety boat, and having them along was such a bonus. They took photos throughout the trip, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about capturing every moment ourselves.
A special shoutout to Mocha, their super-friendly dog, who kept us entertained by running around and trying to chase bald eagles whenever she spotted them!
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any whales since they were gathered near the cruise ships, which would have been too far for us to kayak. But honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better wildlife experience. We were lucky enough to spot four bears! One was a beautiful blonde female bear, and the other three were a mama bear with her two adorable cubs. Watching the cubs run around and play along the shoreline was an unforgettable sight.
As if that wasn't enough, we also saw porpoises, a mink, and countless bald eagles throughout the trip. The abundance of wildlife made the entire experience feel magical.
Kudos to Dave, Cody, Michelle, and of course Mocha for making this such an enjoyable, memorable, and wildlife-filled adventure. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience!
Jennifer_F, Jun 2026
Lovey tour guides! Everyone was extremely friendly. Beautiful scenery and would highly recommend if you are looking for a more active experience.
Christy_L, Jun 2026
The kayak experience was amazing and right off the bat there was a humpback whale. A safety boat follows from behind and takes photos of everything, including you on your kayak and all the wildlife you see, so it’s not a big deal if you don’t use your phone. They are also able to take better pictures than what I could’ve gotten on the phone.
They have both tandem kayaks and solo kayaks or experienced kayaks, but I would recommend tandem because it’s a three hour kayak paddle and even the people who were tandem were pretty tired by the end. The tide goes out and comes in and some of the time you are against the current. The instructor will wait for you, of course and the safety boat come all the way to you as well if you really got exhausted. Overall, I had a very fun time.
Jeff_F, Jun 2026
Very pleasant trip. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and very helpful to the not so experienced kayakers. Chased a whale, saw tons of eagles and several sea lions. Just being on the water on a warm sunny day was great. Be
Prepared to work. No motor for two hours!
Joseph_B, Jun 2026
Such a great tour and experience!!! We loved our time kayaking in Hoonah with Fairweather Kayak Tours. The tour did a great job with making sure you were ready to go, they were safe, and we had such a great time out on the water. We were lucky enough to see 3 bear cubs on the shoreline, many eagles, harbor seals, and sea lions. They even shared the pictures from the tour as well after we got home from our cruise. it was an amazing time and highly recommend this tour to others.
Megan_G, May 2026
The group at Hoonah Travel particularly Dave and Cody were fantastic - and guided us to see whales numerous times - and sea lions. They made sure the equipment was all set - and guided us the entire way. One of the best experiences to see whales that up close.
Natalie_K, May 2026
Cody and his group were incredible!!! The best tour we had on our entire cruise. We got close to a humpback whale. His group takes professional pictures of the trip where you don’t have to worry about your phone. They also directed us to a really good restaurant called Fisherman‘s Daughter for lunch. Best meal of the trip.
Alexander_S, May 2026
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend this tour. The weather was bad on the day of the excursion, and it was raining. At the start of the tour, we asked the guides whether it even made sense to go ahead with it. They replied curtly that the tour always takes place as long as the water is calm. Unfortunately, our concerns were not taken seriously.
Shortly after the tour began, it actually stopped raining briefly, only to start again even harder afterward.
Although we received protective clothing from the tour operator, we ended up soaked to the skin.
We saw very little on the tour, certainly no whales or bears.
When we finally expressed our disappointment to the guides at the end, we received only a curt “This was a kayaking tour, not a whale or bear sightseeing tour.” This response sounded very rehearsed to us, and we think we weren’t the first ones to be hit with this answer.
So: As mentioned at the beginning, we unfortunately cannot recommend this tour at all!
Response from Host, May 2026
Im sorry that you did not enjoy the experience with us.
Kandiace_B, Oct 2025
Our sea kayak tour with Cody was unforgettable. Calm waters, breathtaking views, and then, a humpback whale surfaced just 100 meters away. Truly awe-inspiring.
Cody’s knowledge and calm confidence made the experience both safe and exhilarating. Michelle and Dave rounded out the dream team - supportive, friendly, and capturing professional-quality photos we’ll treasure forever.
This wasn’t just a kayak trip, it was Alaska at its purest. If you want a personal, safe, and genuinely magical experience on the water, this is it.
Caitlin_P, Sep 2025
This was amazing. The team was extremely nice and friendly and we got to see 5-6 different whales. We saw them bubble feed multiple times and being on a kayak and eye level was soooo cool. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Better than I could have imagined
Cosette_C, Sep 2025
This was exactly what we were hoping for! We had a great day kayaking with our guide, Cody. His team and he kept an eye out for wildlife so we were able to see whales, sea lions, seals, porpoise and otters on this day! He also is a wealth of information on all things Alaska, especially Hoonah and it's wildlife. We were never bored and had a lovely time all around
Brooke_S, Sep 2025
Kayaking with Cody was a highlight of our trip! Not only is Cody, his mom and step-dad some of the nicest people we met while in Alaska, but the personalized experience was wonderful! Cody takes you out kayaking while his mom takes spectacular photos of you and the scenery from the safety boat while also looking for wildlife for us to find! We learned so much about Hoonah (Icy Straigh Point) and saw a sea lion, so many eagles, held a crab and even a octopus! We missed the whales by about an hour but thats okay! I absolutely recommend this experience for all who visit Hoonah!
Peyton_R, Sep 2025
Really nice people and very funny and definitely worth the money.we got to see a lot of sea lions and a bear.
Stephanie_G, Aug 2025
What a fantastic experience with Fairweather Kayaks. I was so very fortunate as I received a one on one tour which I can’t promise for others, but even without the individualized attention this was a special experience. We arrived to meet a friendly family that went the extra mile in every way, including taking photos of us they emailed that day. Hoonah didn’t deliver a beautiful sunny morning for us, but the water was calm and the journey was peaceful. I would do this excursion 10/10 times. Icing on the cake was getting to shop at the HTA store after with great deals. Thank you Cody and Michelle!
Tim_H, Aug 2025
Fantastic morning in a double. The guys were flexible and fun! We saw some whales headed our direction a d ended up following them for the balance of the last hour, up close and personal. SO much fun! Guide tempered the paddle to what we were seeing and our ability.
He had so many stories as we moved along.
They also ran a safety boat the was close by but not intrusive.
My one constructive comment would be a bit better direction to meet up. We wandered a bit before finding where we should be.
Jennifer_Y, Aug 2025
We had an amazing time on this tour! We had a humpback whale surface right infront of us- super cool! The guides were great and took wonderful photos for us. Highly recommend!
Jacqueline_V, Aug 2025
Great experience kayaking! Personalized, friendly, and professional. Safety boat next to us with someone taking pictures was so nice.
From $180.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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