So I decided to use that knowledge to come up with a list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions. Departs From Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Icy Strait Point, sometimes called Hoonah after the native people who live in this area and run the cruise port, is one popular stop on Alaska cruises but it can be hard to decipher the marketing language to know which excursions will be worth your time and money. In addition to your wildlife search, depart directly from Icy Strait Point on your safe, stable, covered, and comfortable whale-watching vessel and travel through the bountiful waters of Icy Strait to the renowned Point Adolphus area, home to Alaska's largest summer population of humpback whales. He will take you to his favorite fishing areas for the best halibut and salmon fishing around. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. Best Icy Strait Point Tours & Excursions: 1. Stream Fishing 6. Read more in my Privacy Policy. You won't find a better place to experience an outdoor adventure and get a sense of what a . Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Icy Strait Point, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. If your ship is docking at the Adventure Dock, after exiting your cruise ship, disembark and proceed up the ramp to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. The Tlingit tribe has called this area home for centuries, and they love to share their native culture. Will definitely take rain gear. Guests must be able to climb in and out of a 15 passenger van. My husband and I were excited to take the sky glider up to the top so we could do the Alice Lake trail 1.5 mile hike to hidden lake. Sitting 1330' above Icy Strait Point, you will descend just over a mile and travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph while soaring 300' above the tree-tops below. Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. As I mentioned, Skagway is a destination for history lovers - so it's no surprise that a history tour tops the list. Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. I looked at the number of cruise companies offering that excursion in 2022. Join local maritime hero Captain Billy, a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska on this unforgettable fishing adventure. . My eBook, Alaskas Best Cruise Excursions, will help you wade through all the excursions in each port to make the best choice for each stop on your Alaska cruise itinerary. A 5 out of 5 score represents top of the line luxury. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. Copyright 2023 Icy Strait Point Excursions. My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. Or, in the unlikely event you dont sight a whale, well refund you $100. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. Continue on from the post above for some pictures from it and more in the area. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. Home port: Seattle. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. Wind along back roads in search of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer, and enjoy spectacular views of the natural beauty that surrounds you along the way. Clear editor. Located in Alaska's largest Native Tlingit village of Hoonah (about 35 miles west of Juneau), Icy Strait Point features 20+ exciting tours, a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, restaurants, 100% Alaskan-owned retail shops, and even a beach! Explore our Alaska cruises today! We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. My wife does want to do an excursion with sled dogs but we don't know if we should do that in Juneau or Skagway. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. We too the free shuttle back into the port area and walked through the old cannery, the museum and gift shops, which were all cool. Welcome to Hoonah, AK. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Beautiful overview with a 1- mile hiking trail loop at the top that required groups of at least 10 and a guide with a gun die to bear activity. The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. Watch members of the Huna Tlingit Dancers troupe tell the story of their tribal heritage through song and dance at the Native Heritage Center Theater. All reservations must be made through the website as our customer service representatives cannot take credit card information over the phone. Notes: Guests must be able to walk without assistance. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. See the "real" Alaska on this nature tour that takes you up close to bears, eagles and other fascinating wildlife. Some excursions include puppies that you get to hold. What tour co offers the cooking tour you mentioned. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. Secure easy and reliable transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau with the Blue Bus Glacier Express. Just don't forget to bring your cameras, binoculars, and waterproof apparel! Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. Every summer, humpback whales come to Hoonah in huge numbers to feed on the nutrient-rich waters before migrating south again in the winter. Come experience the birds and nature of Chichagof Island, near Icy Strait Point! All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. Icy Strait Point is the port for adventure. The nature trailis pretty short. And don't forget the fishing. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. - More time on the water! I've already enjoyed reading the boards and have already learned so much that is very helpful. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. However each port offers adventures that are not typically found in the Caribbean. Icy Strait is home to a wide array of wildlife, including orcas, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, porpoise, and the majestic humpback whale. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious . As you pedal along, the views will be spectacular . Since I already pointed out that Icy Strait Point is a unique cultural destination, what better way to experience it than on a cooking class excursion? What to expect when you get there - Amy will meet up with you at your pre-arranged meeting point (we were off a cruise ship, so Icy Straight Point excursion hub for us). Excursions by boat or vehicle to the Spasski River provide opportunities to spot bald eagles, woodpeckers . Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. Whether you are looking for a scenic kayaking, adventurous or eating and drinking shore excursion, there's no better site to book your shore tour with than Shore Excursions Group. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Favorites. Established in the early 1960s, Tok River Outfitters, now a second generation Alaskan business, is still owned and operated by the original founder's family. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Whats more, we 100% guarantee whale sightings on every whale watching tour (from May to September). Then walk along the Seawall, with the downtown skyline as your backdrop. Required fields are marked *. And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. Zip-lining is so in right now! Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. The longest ZipRider in the United States, treetop obstacle courses, kayaking, and ATV tours are among some of the activities to help you feel truly alive while you cause heart palpitations in your . Icy Strait Point 108 Cannery Rd, Hoonah, AK 99829, USA Open in Google Maps Confirmation will be received at time of booking Tour Time is Departure time. View All Results. Sorry to hear that, John. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. Josh has captained in this area for many years and knows the area well! Alaska-Sized Adventure With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! The majority of us, when we think of Alaska, probably picture a big area covered in ice, frozen land, and maybe even caribou running free across the tundra. The Crab House, The Cookhouse, and Duck Point Smokehouse are excellent dining options. If you are interested in a less tourist like experience, you might like this. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Beyond the cannery is the pick up for tours and the ( today free) shuttle to the local village of Hoonah. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. Whales regularly cruise by just offshore and Chichagoff Island has the highest density of brown bears (grizzly) of anywhere in Alaska. Do you have any experience with either excursion? Seeing whales on your tour is guaranteed. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Just let us know and we will make sure everyone is together. Alaska Shore Excursions, Cruises & Tours Wildlife & Outdoor Tours: Alaska Whale Watching Tours