Icy Strait Point is a cruise port on Chichagof Island, in the town of Hoonah, Alaska. It's open to all visitors whenever a cruise ship is in port, and the port lists a working cannery, coastal trails and a long list of excursions. This guide covers what the port itself lists, how long each excursion runs and how to plan your day. Everything below comes from Icy Strait Point's own pages, so check them for current offerings before you book.
Where Icy Strait Point Is
Icy Strait Point sits on Chichagof Island in Hoonah. The port says it's a short airplane ride from Juneau and is also reachable by cruise ship and the Alaska Marine Highway System. It describes its team as predominantly Alaska Native, from nearby Hoonah, and calls itself community-owned. Our Alaska ports of call guide compares it with the other stops on the usual routes.
What You Can Do Without an Excursion
You don't have to book a tour. Icy Strait Point lists a free museum, coastal trails and live Native culture, and the historic cannery holds a dozen shops, including Alaska Native-owned businesses and local artisan goods.
Three waterfront restaurants are listed as open daily. The Crab House cooks local Alaska crab to order, The Cookhouse Restaurant lists halibut and chips and smash burgers, and Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant lists smoked salmon dishes and brick-oven pizzas. The port's dining page also mentions reindeer sliders and local brews.
The Excursions, by Length
Icy Strait Point's home page lists the 14 tours below with their lengths, sorted here from shortest to longest. The port counts its excursions as more than 20 on its FAQ page and more than 30 on its home page, so ask your cruise line about tours that aren't listed here.
About 1.5 hours
- World's Largest ZipRider: riders must weigh between 75 and 275 pounds and be comfortable with heights.
- Hoonah Sightseeing and Culture Experience: includes the Heritage Center for a Cultural Experience Show.
- In Alaska's Wildest Kitchen: food, recipes and one alcoholic beverage are included.
- Mountain Top Forest Excursions: ADA accessible, with a local guide.
About 2 to 2.5 hours
- Seafood Feast and Culture Experience (2 hours): a set menu with no adjustments for food restrictions, plus the Heritage Center show.
- Ocean Raft Adventure (2 hours).
- Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (2.5 hours): an onboard naturalist gives commentary.
- UTV Expedition, Back Country Jeep Adventure, Spasski River Valley Wildlife and Bear Search, Wilderness Hike and Kayak Adventure (each 2.5 hours). The Kayak tour has height and weight limits, and mobility devices aren't permitted on the Wilderness Hike.
Longer
- Discovering Birds of Hoonah (3.5 hours): binoculars and scopes provided, and guests must walk independently over uneven terrain for up to two miles.
- Whale, Wildlife and Bear Search (5.5 hours): the longest on the home page's list.
Whales and Bears
Icy Strait Point says it's near Point Adolphus, which it calls one of the top whale-watching spots on Earth, and says it guarantees sightings on every whale watch tour. Bears are different. The port says Chichagof Island has one of the densest populations of brown bears in Alaska, but its Whale, Wildlife and Bear Search listing says bear sightings aren't guaranteed because the animals are wild.
How to Book
Icy Strait Point says most tours are reserved through your cruise line and recommends booking early because tours fill up fast. It says prices are often the same as on the ship but can vary by cruise line and tour. For how to weigh that decision across ports, see our guide to which Alaska cruise shore excursions are worth paying for.
Accessibility
The port says its boardwalks and pathways are designed for accessibility and that it has compact vehicles to assist guests. Many tours are ADA friendly, and the port points you to each tour's listing for the details, so read yours before you book.
How to Plan Your Port Day
Pick one anchor tour and leave time around it. Your ship's time in port sets the limit: a 1.5-hour tour leaves more of it for the cannery shops and a meal than the 5.5-hour Whale, Wildlife and Bear Search does. If you're traveling in a group or with someone who needs accessible options, check the tour's notes first. For help picking the month and the route, read our best time to cruise Alaska guide.
