Icy Strait Tours
All of the tours are customized to accommodate cruise ship passengers
Alaska Whale & Drone Tour
14 Passenger Wildlife Tour
All Ages-$190 Per Person
Our whale watching tours are different and quite unique.
They are geared to small groups, as we only take out a maximum of 14 passengers at a time.
Captain Josh is also a certified Drone pilot, with a state-of-the-art filmography drone. While the focus is always to get you personal views of the wildlife with your own eyes, the view from the drone makes an incredible addition to our tour.
Drone imagery allows us to see down below the surface - watch pods of orcas glide beneath the waves, humpback mothers with their calves... on rare occasions, witness the incredible phenomenon of "bubble-net" feeding by groups of humpbacks.
Not only will our guests be thrilled by sightings of majestic humpback whales and even orcas, they will also have the unique opportunity of taking home an unusual souvenir. Before we even make it back the dock, we download our drone footage onto a USB flash drive and you can obtain an immediate copy. One copy per group is included with your tour - this is a souvenir like no other!
Meeting location
(detailed instructions will be in your confirmation)
If arriving by cruise ship you will make your way to the excursions hub located in the main area. From there you will be greeted by the van driver who will take you on a short drive to the marina where you will board the boat.
Cruise Passengers
CRUISE SHIPS VISITING HOONAH, ALASKA
Hoonah is located about 35 miles west of Juneau AK.
There are now 2 cruise ship piers in the area, with the newest being Wilderness Landing pier at Icy Strait , opened in August 2021. Cruise ships refer to the name "Icy Straight " when talking about visiting the town of Hoonah, Alaska, although that is the dock area and not the actual town.
Now that cruising has nearly reached pre-pandemic levels, and Hoonah now being visited by more ships arriving at the new dock, over 400,000 cruise ship passengers are expected in 2023.
Captain Josh wants to remind cruise ship visitors that although the cruise lines offer shore excursions through their own onboard excursion desks, many passengers may prefer to join us on our smaller boat to get a more personalized whale watching experience.
We also offer the same guarantees as the cruise ships - yes you can get your money back if something unexpected happens:
If your ship makes an itinerary change and you arrive at Icy Straight on an alternate date, just contact us to let us know of your new date.
If your ship completely misses our port and you had a tour booked with us, please call Captain Josh at 253-355-4750 when you return home, and we will arrange a full refund.
Cancellation Policy
We also offer the same guarantees as the cruise ships - yes you can get your money back if something unexpected happens:
Full refund if canceled 48 hours or more before tour.
If your ship makes an itinerary change and you arrive at Icy Straight on an alternate date, just contact us to let us know of your new date.
If your ship completely misses our port and you had a tour booked with us, please call Captain Josh at 253-355-4750 when you return home, and we will arrange a full refund.
Tour Photos
Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews
Amy P Wrote a review
Best excursion ever!
It rained the whole time we were there. We were wet and cold, but it was still the best excursion I have ever done. Captain Josh was phenomenal! He knew exactly where the whales would be. He was so knowledgeable and informative.
We saw so many whales and got amazing pictures. We also saw sea lions, sea otters, and a couple of bears. As an extra bonus, at the end, we received incredible drone footage.
I can not say enough good things about this experience. You just need to go and see for yourself!
We saw so many whales and got amazing pictures. We also saw sea lions, sea otters, and a couple of bears. As an extra bonus, at the end, we received incredible drone footage.
I can not say enough good things about this experience. You just need to go and see for yourself!
Michael A Wrote a review
One of the most amazing experiences of my life. Definitally bucketlist worthy!
One of the most incredible life changing experiences I ever had. Icy Strait Point is one of those rare special gems in the world that hardly anybody knows about. Humpback whales are known to live there in the summer and from the moment our cruise ship docked these whales put on a show for us. They greeted us as soon as we arrived showing tails in front of the ship and even bubble feeding. I got some amazing views from my balcony and I knew that this whale watching trip would be life changing.
From the moment Josh picked us up he was an encyclopedia of information. I love seeing someone who is so dedicated to what he does. He truly enjoys showing people amazing animals of all kinds. The weather was a little too cloudy to use the drone for whales but Josh was able to find some bears on one of the islands so he used the drone for the bears instead.
You really didn’t even need the drone for the whales there was one point where they came right behind the boat. We could smell their breath!
Wildlife and Bear Viewing Tour
$145 Adults Ages 13+ $145
Children 5-12 $120
We offer personalized land based nature and bear viewing tours on the majestic Chichagof island.
Wild Bear Safari is a locally owned and operated tour company in Hoonah, Alaska (Just outside of Icy Strait Point Shuttle included).
First, in our small groups, Ill show you our sleepy alaskan fishing village. Then we’lll head out on the back roads, in remote country on the hunt for Bear. We’ll troll the bridges over salmon streams, check out beaches, berry patches, if the groups up for it we’ll hike my favorite forest trail. The goal is to view our bears at a safe distance feeding on salmon, local berries, or just lumbering through the forest.
Tour times can range from 3-4 hr depending on your schedule. Hiking will be an option for groups who are up to it. While we bear search, I will inform our awesome group about bear safety, the history of the local population, and about our beautiful surroundings.
After our exciting time together, you can choose wether you’d like explore in town a bit, or to go back to explore Icy Straight Point where your Ship is docked.
Meeting location
(detailed instructions will be in your confirmation)
If arriving by cruise ship you will make your way to the excursions hub located in the main area. From there you will be greeted by the van driver who will take you on a short drive to the marina where you will board the boat.
Cruise Passengers
CRUISE SHIPS VISITING HOONAH, ALASKA
Hoonah is located about 35 miles west of Juneau AK.
There are now 2 cruise ship piers in the area, with the newest being Wilderness Landing pier at Icy Strait , opened in August 2021. Cruise ships refer to the name "Icy Straight " when talking about visiting the town of Hoonah, Alaska, although that is the dock area and not the actual town.
Once you have booked a tour, you will automatically be enrolled for our shuttle. When you have arrived to Icy straight point, make your way to to the Excursion Hub where Hoonah Travel Adventures ( Blue shirts) will shuttle you to us.
Cancellation Policy
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Tour Photos
Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews
Steve A Houston A Wrote a review
Great experience!
Actually seen 5 bears on a 4 hour trip. Luke took my wife an I on a tour to show us Coastal Brown Bears in the wild. We found a 2 year old pair of sibling brown bears that had just been kicked off their mother. He was also able to show us a mother and her cub feeding on salmon in a creek. On a 4 hour trip we seen 5 bears and a couple of whales along the coast where we also had spotted the 2 sibling bears. Luke has a way to find and view wildlife. Steve and Rene Azinger - Houston TX.
Actually seen 5 bears on a 4 hour trip. Luke took my wife an I on a tour to show us Coastal Brown Bears in the wild. We found a 2 year old pair of sibling brown bears that had just been kicked off their mother. He was also able to show us a mother and her cub feeding on salmon in a creek. On a 4 hour trip we seen 5 bears and a couple of whales along the coast where we also had spotted the 2 sibling bears. Luke has a way to find and view wildlife. Steve and Rene Azinger - Houston TX.
Christine R Wrote a review
Such a personal experience
We completely agree with all the other 5 - star reviews. Had very similar positive experience. Luke and his partner, Whitney were AMAZING! They gave us options as to what we wanted to see and educated us on the wildlife, plant life and Alaska in general. They knew all the "hot spots" including one that had a mamma bear catching salmon with her cub, and a few other bears hanging out. We went to other beautiful areas to explore and take photos of the wildlife. We appreciated the knowledge, passion and love both Luke and Whitney share for the environment. We felt very accommodated the entire time, and couldn't have asked for a better tour. Thank you for such an unique, educational and memorable experience!
We completely agree with all the other 5 - star reviews. Had very similar positive experience. Luke and his partner, Whitney were AMAZING! They gave us options as to what we wanted to see and educated us on the wildlife, plant life and Alaska in general. They knew all the "hot spots" including one that had a mamma bear catching salmon with her cub, and a few other bears hanging out. We went to other beautiful areas to explore and take photos of the wildlife. We appreciated the knowledge, passion and love both Luke and Whitney share for the environment. We felt very accommodated the entire time, and couldn't have asked for a better tour. Thank you for such an unique, educational and memorable experience!
Guaranteed Whale Watching Adventure
Adult Ages 14+ $169.99
Child Ages 0-13 $155.99
Group Discount and private charter Available in checkout
Get ready for an Alaska whale adventure!
We will meet you at Icy Strait Point and transfer you to meet your Captain and crew. For 2.5 hours you’ll be traveling through the waters of Icy Strait – home to a wide array of wildlife including Orcas (killer whales), Stellar sea lions, sea otters, Harbor seals, Dall’s porpoise, and the magnificent humpback whale.
Our local captain, Duane, will guide you through an unforgettable and surreal whale and wildlife watching experience, describing the diversity of wildlife and its cultural connection and significance to the Hoonah Tlingit people. The high accumulation of natural food in these waters make it a habitual feeding ground for one of Alaska’s largest resident humpback whale populations, providing for a unique experience of “bubble-net feeding”, flipper slapping, and spectacular breaching!
Keep an eye out for brown bears and Sitka Black-tailed deer meandering the shoreline, and the noble Bald eagle perched on tree-tops. From the village of Hoonah to Pt. Adolphus near Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait Whale Adventures will delight in sharing the majestic beauty and culture that is Alaska!
Our custom-built whale-watching vessel is highly maneuverable with a low profile design and large windows that allow unrestricted viewing while getting up close and personal to whales and other wildlife, yet staying dry and out of the weather. Viewing platforms on the outer decks allow you to get outside and experience the whales with all of your senses – see them, hear them and, yes, when they come up close and spout, that whale breath is an experience your nose won’t forget!
Cruise Passengers
CRUISE SHIPS VISITING HOONAH, ALASKA
Hoonah is located about 35 miles west of Juneau AK.
There are now 2 cruise ship piers in the area, with the newest being Wilderness Landing pier at Icy Strait , opened in August 2021. Cruise ships refer to the name "Icy Straight " when talking about visiting the town of Hoonah, Alaska, although that is the dock area and not the actual town.
Directions to the Excursion Hub from your dock will be provided in your confirmation email after booking.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation more than a week in advance: 15% administration fee.
Cancellation between a week and 48 hours prior to departure date: 50% of the total amount plus administration fees that might be imposed.
Tour Photos
Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews
rogers10067 Powhatan, VA Wrote a review
Amazing experience- this is a fantastic company that great to work with (five stars)
While in Alaska we went whale watching 4 times. Icy Strait Whale Adventures was by FAR the best. First, the location is amazing for finding whales. Equally important was their captain who was incredible at understanding and predicting whale behavior. He was also well connected by radio with other boats nearby to find pods of whales. Lastly, their boats are relatively small and fast - that meant that once whales on the surface were located by anyone in the area, we got there quickly and the small boat meant getting photos from a close-to-the-water perspective. It was amazing. We were so close that fish smelly blow hole mist clouds would go over our boat.
Chicago, IL
Wrote a review
Amazing trip-not to be missed
Amazing trip. It was nice being on a smaller boat than the cruise line excursion boat
We saw many whales, seals and otters. This was well worth the price. I've done 14 cruises and this was the best excursion I've been on
We saw many whales, seals and otters. This was well worth the price. I've done 14 cruises and this was the best excursion I've been on
Additional Information
Meeting Time:
Please meet 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time. Icy Strait Point has two docks. You will either be arriving at the Adventure Landing or the Wilderness Landing. Directions to the Excursion Hub from your dock will be provided in your confirmation email after booking.
Drop Off:
We will return you directly to Icy Strait Point, and guarantee to get you back in time for “all guests onboard”.
Ages:
Our custom-built whale-watching vessel makes this experience suitable for all ages, and we even offer child rates.
Things to Bring:
You never know what the weather will be, so come prepared for rain or shine. Hat and mittens can really make it more comfortable. Warm coats that are water resistant are a good idea. A camera to capture all those great sightings is a must and binoculars make those whales pop! And, don’t forget your sunglasses.
Guarantee:
We are so confident you will see at least one whale that we will provide a 50% refund to your credit card if no whales are sighted.