Most stuff is sold out on our cruise and some of the adventures you talked about are not even listed. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaskas largest Tlingit village. Children as young as 6 years old can ride the zipline, and guests must be between the weight of 75 pounds and 275 pounds to enjoy this adventure. 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. We can guarantee you will be back to board your ship in plenty of time. These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. How is the Halibut shipped home for oyu. This is your chance to set sail and travel the scenic shorelines of Icy Strait Point keeping watch for bears, deer, blue herons, puffins and more. We didn't do the whale watch so can't help sorry, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah: Hours, Address, Icy Strait Point Reviews: 4/5, Icy Strait Point is one of the most authentic and unspoiled ports in an Alaska cruise itinerary. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. We walked a wide hilly 15- min trail from the dock to the cannery area. Icy Strait Point, Alaska While Celebrity Cruises doesn't sail directly to Glacier Bay, there are flightseeing excursions available from Icy Strait Point . See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. If you have questions or comments, let me know below or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! In that sense it's easy to get to because it's only a few miles from the ship. Zip-lining is so in right now! Departs From Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaskas largest Tlingit village. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Visiting in September of 2023. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Chichagoff Island is home to more brown bears than humans, its a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore. It is totally safe! Nestled among those trinket shops you will find authentic local art, jewelry, and even hand-carved headdresses such as the one Johan is wearing here. We'll supply everything you need, so there's nothing for you to worry about except for having fun and taking in nature at its best. On this 3.5-hour charter, youll board a locally-operated boat and head out onto the waters of Icy Strait. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. These ports are where you can experience the real Alaska if you know which excursions to choose, that is. Nicolas LaBarre But young toddlers have to just walk and look around. (It is semi-widely available and a good value though, as points in its favor.). 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. See our Icy Strait Point shore excursions on CelebrityCruises.com . Rides are unlimited and allow you to explore Icy Strait Point at your leisure. We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land's glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Unless you are going to ride the Zip Line, save your money and just walk around the small tourist town. On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, . Our stops are Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria,BC. Explore our Alaska cruises today! {{card.portName}}, Onboard Relax and spend a few hours away from the crowds while on this fishing expedition. However having a tough time booking things. Welcome to Hoonah, AK. Cruising in Alaska Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List, Alaska is a paradise for animal lovers. Or that its the largest in the world kind of like Alaska is the largest state? Humpback whales visit Icy Strait Point every summer, beginning in May, and they stay around until September. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? If you are interested in a less tourist like experience, you might like this. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Make a payment and confirm your reservation. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? 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. 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. Don't Lose Your Reservation! View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. As you pedal along, the views will be spectacular . Drones are able to see below the water surface and broadcast live video back to the boat. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaskas largest Native Tlingit village. . Join us on a whale watching tour to see the enormous humpback whales. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022 for the coming season. 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. View All Results. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. You might even catch them bubble net feeding! Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious . 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. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. This gondola was build alongside a second cruise ship pier as part of a major expansion to Icy Strait Point. View All Results. Our group said to each other, "we should come back in ten years and see if it looks the same". Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Seabourn. Long time listener and I know this has been covered a million times, just not so much recently. This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. Take a journey into this serene kayak adventure on Icy Strait for an unforgettable experience! 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. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! We are constantly evaluating ourselves, innovating, and improving to ensure that every customer gets an amazing experience from the first contact to the last touch. 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. If you love the idea of stretching your legs a bit more than you can on the boat, this is a great excursion it only ranks low on the list because of few companies (okay, one) offering it in 2023. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. So, when I see a good Alaska cruise excursion for fishing, I recommend it! Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. It's a 3.5 hr whale watch tour. Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. 1. On this cruise excursion, a local guide will take you out to spot dozens of species of perching birds, seabirds, ducks, gulls, and bald eagles. Sightings happen often, but as all things in Nature are not guaranteed. This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is offered on Chichagof Island, a one-of-a-kind location with the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. Date of experience: September 2017. Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase. 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. Want to know more? Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Notes: Guests must be able to walk without assistance. Hawaii shore excursionmight be just the ticket. 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! $1,510. The gondola and zip line are just outside this building. Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. My ship gets in at __:__. We before they even had a pier and it was so different from the other ports. Your Kayak experience will take you into the peaceful waters of Port Frederick. We disembarked from Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas a little after 1:00 pm on a go. Outdoor Adventures Elevate your adventure on the SkyGlider Mountaintop Gondola's high-speed, eight-person cars which whisk passengers to the top of Hoonah Mountain for Glacier Bay views and a host of nature activities. Call 1-866-999-6590 today to speak to a booking agent! I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. This allows for a great crew to guest ratio, ensuring your experience is personal. Description (Courtesy of IMDb ): "After surviving the destruction of Isla Nubla, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing took in young Maisie Lockwood. When you arrive at the port, just check in with a Hoonah Travel Adventures representative at the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub. 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. However, for those of you who are thinking about taking a vacation, The Icy Strait Point is the divider between mainland Alaska in the north and the Chichagof Island in the south. The ticket agent for the sky glider was the one that advised us about the hike. The Chichagof Island wilderness hike excursion is a good opportunity. Is our tour still on? This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. CHECK SHORE EXCURSIONS IN Icy Strait Point, Alaska, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Alaska Icy Strait Point Tribe Local Performance, Cuisine Dungeness Crab, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, One of the Many Historic Cannery Buildings, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " Come experience the birds and nature of Chichagof Island, near Icy Strait Point! Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation and change requests in writing. 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. Continue on from the post above for some pictures from it and more in the area. This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. Youll descend from an elevation of 1,330 feet back to sea level along those six zips at times you may be going as fast as 60 miles per hour and at heights of 300 feet above the ground! He will take you to his favorite fishing areas for the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Fly down the world's largest ZipRider, whale-watch in the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, search for the coastal brown bears that inhabit the area, and soar high above in a helicopter. Many outdoor enthusiasts come to Alaska for fishing, and Hoonah won't disappoint. Stream Fishing 6. The view is pretty nice but not warrant the ticket price. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. 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. In May I spent an amazing week with Princess Cruise Lines aboard the Island Princess. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. 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. I really like ISP. - More time on the water! Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. There may be 3rd party options you can explore directly. The nature trailis pretty short. As a souvenir, youll get recipe cards so you can try to prepare these meals once you return home. From the top of the mountain, it's just a short walk (400 meters) through a pristine stand of old-growth rainforest to the ZipRider tower. Add in the communication he has with other captains on the other boats, and it's a perfect whale finding system! Photo credits: Icy Strait Point building (L) Moira Dunworth; Glacier Bay flightseeing (R) Joseph; salmon on grill Didriks; Tlingit tribal dance James Brooks; halibut fisherman Bryan Wilkins; all via Flickr. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? 335 Harbor Dr Hoonah I want to get the most out of Alaska but excursions over $400 per person are out of the picture. Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. You will have to walk up and/or down a potentially steep ramp depending on the tide to access the floats where the boat will be. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. For critter enthusiasts, there is really no need to book a whale watching tour as youll be able to spot humpbacks, orcas, and harbor seals directly from your cruise ship, especially in the wee hours. With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. Then walk along the Seawall, with the downtown skyline as your backdrop. Enjoy a fun small-group experience on this Icy Strait whale watching tour, limited to 18 passengers per tour. We are a family-run company based right here in Hoonah. We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip. Start here. Find a Cruisetour Any Destination Any Month Any Departure Port Any Ship Any Ship Feature See if you qualify for exclusive rates Advanced Search Call Our Brand Specialists Now Learn More About Icy Strait Point, Alaska Its always an honor to share the backyard beauty in our mist-shrouded rainforest and our coastal city, steeped in history and Native Southeast Alaska culture alike. We booked the gondola and tram ride. We care about our beautiful state and want to show it off in a genuine way while protecting and preserving the land and sea at the same 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!). Moreover, our small group tours are purposely smaller than those offered by the cruise ship, giving you a more intimate experience, at a better rate, while visiting Hoonah near Icy Strait Point. At ShoreTrips we are committed to enhancing your shore excursions with small, creative and personal day tours and adventures. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour, 212 Admiral Way Ste. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Once inside the Adventure Center, walk through the building and exit through door number 2 this is clearly marked. You'll enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise through the waters of Icy Strait, where you are guaranteed to spot at least one whale. We receive a constant stream of updates on the cruise ships timetables. You cannot paste images directly. However there is so much more. Cunard rolled out the winter 2025 cruise schedules for its three ships, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, plus the new-build Queen Anne, set to debut . Wildlife such as; eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black tail deer, whales, and even a bear on the beach are possible sightings. You can post now and register later. As a tourist, you have a lot to do at Icy Strait, thanks to Alaskas rich history, wildlife, and native, The Icy Strait Point in Alaska is a hub for tourists because of the various activities that they can be a part of during their tours. Only Seabourn offers this one. If wild and cruise line food is not your thing, there are delicious restaurants in the area. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. Website Season:$180 per person3.5 hrs. Whale watching and wildlife tours are among the most popular excursions in Icy Strait Point. Be sure to take in the views of Port Frederick and Icy Strait on your way down. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . You will experience seeing and hearing these amazing animals with your own eyes and ears, and then we take you to the next level with our displays onboard. Get ready for a stream fishing adventure in pristine wilderness that will stay with you for the rest of your life. We did an independent whale watching tour in ISP and it was amazing. 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Find Shore Tours to Book Select your cruise ship and we'll display only the tours that work with your schedule in each port. View pods of orcas effortlessly gliding under the waves, on rare occasions, see humpback calfs playing with their mothers, on rare occasions, the amazing phenomenon of "bubble-net" feeding by groups of humpbacks is seen. TO BOOK A TOUR AT ICY STRAIT POINT PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR CRUISE LINE. Do you have any experience with either excursion? 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. For guests with mobility concerns, the following information will help you decide if you will be able to join our tours. Look for jewellery made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects and warm winter fashions. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. While there will be lots of touristy junk and jewelry stores in Juneau, those are absent in ISP and I like that. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. Sorry, I dont know the specific tour company; the goal of this post is to help people book their cruise excursions through the cruise company. I try to include a food tour in every one of the posts in this series; I believe food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of a place including Alaska. We are committed to providing guests with the best customer service in the industry! We chose to book Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search when it was on sale last weekend! Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? We bought the "unlimited ride" for $50 per person, to find out there was nothing to do at the top unless you are taking the zip line down. A 5 out of 5 score represents top of the line luxury. 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). I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/17/excursion-focus-alaska-sled-dogs-mushers-camp-juneau-alaska. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. 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. The home of Icy Strait Point Excursions. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. As I mentioned, Skagway is a destination for history lovers - so it's no surprise that a history tour tops the list. 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 was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. Just let us know and we will make sure everyone is together. Icy Strait Small Group Shore Excursion: We're going on a bear hunt! Journey from Icy Strait Point into the wilds of Chichagof Island as you explore the Spasski River Valley in search of local wildlife. Bear Viewing on Chicagof Island 3. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and breathtaking scenery on this adventure. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. Great Value. There will be no shortage of fish in the cool, clear streams we'll take you on this trip. Theres no guarantee, of course, but thats part of what makes the excursion an adventure! Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. Apr 1, 2014. They have an indoor shopping mall, a salmon cannery museum and a restaurant all under one roof. 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 gondola is fairly new (expensive investment) but the ride only lasted for about 5 minutes. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=8383. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. We know where all the wilderness hotspots are. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. Posted December 26, 2021. family just booked Alaskan cruise Quantum May 30, 2022 going to Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Juneau, Victoria BC. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. The areas we search near in Hoonah near Icy Strait Point and Point Adolphus are known Humpback whale feeding grounds. Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour, Local Alaska Whale Watching with Bonus Drone Footage of Whales, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching Charters through Icy Strat Alaska. Icy Strait Point was our first stop on our June 2022 Alaskan cruise.