A CareCart is available to people who cannot make the 300 yard walk from the cruise ship dock to the excursions hub where we meet you. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/. First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Dining on sale - Exclusive Dining Offer. We are so excited about it and are beginni. Whale watching and wildlife tours are among the most popular excursions in Icy Strait Point. I spent three summers working for one of the major cruise companies, and during that time I had to make recommendations for excursions for thousands of Alaska cruisers. Instead, use your day in port at Ice Strait Point or Hoonah to experience the unique slice of Alaskan life you can only find in this native-owned and operated purpose-built cruise port. Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Seabourn. so we had a more personalized experience. Just off the dock where our Princess ship landed, is the ski lift- type red gondola to the zipline, the free green gondola to the bar of the zipline and cannery. Hoonah is just a stones throw from Icy Strait so no time is wasted getting to the fishing grounds and the hooks down! Icy Strait Point website. This 2.5-hour outdoor adventure is listed as moderate in terms of activity level. We've analyzed this ship's atmosphere, facilities, activities, cabins, cuisine and service, based on ratings from U.S. News & World Report and other expert sources. Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. We were left doubting her sincerity and actually had the best interaction with the armed woman, accompanying us for protection, who lives in Hoonah. On May 18th we came into port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. The nature trailis pretty short. This is a 90-minute excursion that includes an obstacle course dubbed the Adventure Park, made up of a log bridge, climbing planks, fishermens net, and more. Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world at 1-2 brown bears per square mile, making it a great destination for bear watching from Icy Strait Point. Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour, 212 Admiral Way Ste. Along the way, most guides stop to take you on short hikes for even better views. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. OHIO. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Unfortunately, this excursion isnt offered by as many cruise companies as others above it on the list so it ended up falling a few spots on my list for 2023. 25422881. Availability: This tour is only available August-September. Be sure not to miss ShoreTrips' whale watching shore excursions, many of which include bear searching! After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, youll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. We also have 3 waterfront restaurants with breathtaking views offering some of the freshest seafood you will ever eat. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. Do you have any experience with either excursion? My wife and I used them and when we go back we'll use them again.. We love the article! If youve read any of my other lists of cruise excursions, you know that getting active is one of my personal travel priorities. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours. Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! And don't worry, a safe, brake-activated landing awaits at Icy Strait Point. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . Theres no guarantee, of course, but thats part of what makes the excursion an adventure! Good Value. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. Great Value. When you arrive at the port, just check in with a Hoonah Travel Adventures representative at the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub. 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. It was one of the stops that sold me on this May 13 cruise since it's absent on Royal's Seattle based cruises. Our dedicated staff (85% of which call Hoonah home) is committed to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for every guest that is infused with our local Native culture and hospitality. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. Posted November 23, 2021. It's operated by a native corporation but the charter of ISP dictates only one ship at a time. Despite it being last on the list, I personally love this excursion as it offers the opportunity to both get up in the air and burn off some of those ship calories youve been consuming (yes, they count!). Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Balcony Stateroom. Not only that, our sturdy fleet of boats in conjunction with our experienced captains at the helm, and guides at the wheel of the vans, are more than capable of coping with the conditions. If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. Perfect for small groups. Take in the views on the bus ride to the top, then race to the bottom on the zip line at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, 300 feet above the forest! We currently offer excursions for saltwater fishing, whale watching and marine nature tours in the waters of Icy Strait, long renowned for it's abundance of marine wildlife and excellent . Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. Pedal a mountain bike along a nature trail to an old-growth rainforest, where you will enjoy a leisurely hike to a wonderfully picturesque beach. 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! This allows for a great crew to guest ratio, ensuring your experience is personal. This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . 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. The restored cannery turned museum shop offers fine jewelry, warm fashions, canned sockeye salmon, and plenty more. 335 Harbor Dr Hoonah Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. We have guests that book up to a year in advance as our tours typically sell out well before their departure date. These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. We did an independent whale watching tour in ISP and it was amazing. We booked the gondola and tram ride. This excursion doesnt have the same wow factor as flightseeing or adrenaline-inducing zip-lining, its by far the most culturally immersive experience you can have in Icy Strait Point and possibly on your whole Alaska trip. Multiple families may join the same tour as long as adequate space is available and the maximum is not exceeded. Website Season:$180 per person3.5 hrs. 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). Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! Icy Strait Point is home to a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum. Yes, there is an excellent exhibit on the fishery and canning industry. 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. With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! Stream Fishing 6. Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? Will I make the __:__ tour? That said, its not exactly unique to encounter these kinds of excursions, so it doesnt rank particularly high on my personal list of the best Icy Strait Point cruise excursions. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Required fields are marked *. This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip. Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $280 per person View Details Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company built the first cannery in the area, and it has become quite a tourist attraction since then. I agree that the activities are for older children. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Join local maritime hero Captain Billy, a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska on this unforgettable fishing adventure. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Beyond the cannery is the pick up for tours and the ( today free) shuttle to the local village of Hoonah. The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. Thanks for reading, Helen! In Juneau I know of asled dog excursionincluded as part of a helicopter to a glacier type activity which makes it expensive but very good. On arrival at the Hoonah Harbor, it's All aboard! and youre off for the waters of Icy Straits and the ultimate whale watching experience. Board the Gondola for a 4 minute ride through the forest toward the Adventure Center. Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. No snow but you get to watch and touch them. Whale Watching 2. After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, you'll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. I wasn't in charge of the booking, so I can't recommend a specific company to use but a quick search on TripAdvisor will give you lots of options. On our cruise day, May 31, they have a 6 passenger boat at 8:00a followed by a 13 passenger boat at 8:45a. Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Located about 35 miles west of Juneau, this area offers some great nature and adventure opportunities as well as rich Tlingit heritage. {{card.portName}}, Onboard Five stars arent enough to describe this wonderful production filled with colorful regalia, genuine ritual, deep spirituality, and a sense of humor and play (Raven was a trickster, after all). Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! If your ship is docking at the Wilderness Dock, you will disembark and walk up to the Gondola. Continue on from the post above for some pictures from it and more in the area. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious . Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. My wife and I have booked an August 2012 southbound cruise from Seward to Vancouver on the RC Radiance of the Seas. Fancies herself a bit of a . This is a small group tour that provides you the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature! Ships Deck Plans . Excursions by boat or vehicle to the Spasski River provide opportunities to spot bald eagles, woodpeckers . Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? Icy Strait Point Excursions and Tours Located in southeast Alaska and along the coast, Icy Strait Point gives you a peek inside the beautiful and diverse Alaskan wildlife. I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. These ports are where you can experience the real Alaska if you know which excursions to choose, that is. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? As an established, local company with a Certificate of Excellence, we love nothing more than to enrich your experience while visiting the area of Icy Strait Point. While this cruise excursion isnt totally unique you can see bears elsewhere in Alaska its a good chance to guarantee that experience at a good value. Included with the all-day gondola pass is a visit to a traditional ceremonial hall to see a Tribal Dance, hosted by the family of Johan Hinchman. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). We disembarked from Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas a little after 1:00 pm on a go. Add in the communication he has with other captains on the other boats, and it's a perfect whale finding system! We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. Yes! Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. 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We keep our groups small, so we can take you off the beaten path, where the locals go. We offer the lowest rates in Hoonah! That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. Our wilderness tour will take you to Chichagof Island, where the population of brown bears per square mile is the highest of any place on Earth.