One Day in Icy Strait Point: Itinerary For Cruise Passengers

Table Of Content

• Visit the Cannery Museum
• Port Frederick Bay Kayaking
• HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025 Alaskan cruises
• Canopy Adventure Park

The Alaska Huna Totem Corporation built this destination to support the local economy. It’s renowned for serving some of Alaska’s finest king, snow, and Dungeness crab. The freshness of their Dungeness crab is unmatched, as it’s caught in local waters and cooked alive. Dedicate the latter part of your morning to exploring the cultural and historical aspects of Icy Strait Point. Visit the restored 1912 salmon cannery, a museum showcasing the region’s fishing industry history and Tlingit heritage. Morning in Icy Strait Point promises an immersion into Alaska’s majestic wilderness and vibrant Tlingit culture.

Visit the Cannery Museum

They are generally just shopping areas with very little chance to see real Alaska unless you take an excursion outside of town. The exceptions are Vancouver, Seward, and Icy Point Strait. Read on for things to do in Icy Point Strait that will help you get the most out of your cruise port day. They’ll also take you searching for deer, bears, whales, otters, sea lions, seals, eagles, and puffins.

Port Frederick Bay Kayaking

Be sure to check out My Best Adventures Yet or  Your Best Adventure Yet series for more inspiration on how to find your adventure. Although we ate it a few times, it was typically frozen and costly. The exception was at the Hoonah Beach House with its patio right on the water and yummy Thai iced teas. The Dungeness crab came from the bay we were dining on and was the best I have ever had!

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Icy Strait Point has a history based on fishing, not only because of its cannery but also as part of the Tlingit tradition. Legends from the Tlingits tell stories of fish and fishing. The area is home to various fish, including salmon and halibut. Plan a visit to the Yaakw Kihidi Cultural Center and speak with knowledgeable guides to hear stories about the history of the town. This is the place to watch local artisans at work on the artistic expressions of the events in their lives. Find nice stretches of beach between and alongside both of Icy Strait Point’s cruise ship piers.

In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company, a prosperous salmon canning company, opened for business on Icy Strait Point, providing the locals with factory jobs. Read on as we go over all the things you can do in Icy Strait Point on a cruise day in port. The Crab House This casual crab shack sells Dungeness, king, and snow crab to eat in or take out. The signature offering is the Alaska Crabby Bloody Mary, a salad in a glass garnished with celery, shrimp, olives, and lime, served with a snow crab leg and packed with crab meat. You’ll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops.

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Icy Strait Point offers a unique shopping experience at its historic Cannery complex for authentic Alaskan crafts and souvenirs. Here, all stores are 100% Alaskan-owned, ensuring genuine local products. The Gondola Ride to the Mountain Top at Icy Strait Point offers a unique, immersive experience of Alaska’s natural beauty, similar yet distinct from Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram. Whether you prefer a light ale or a robust stout, Icy Strait Brewing has something to cater to your taste. Enjoying a pint in the brewery’s cozy setting provides a great opportunity to mingle with locals and fellow travelers, sharing stories and experiences of your Alaskan adventure. We purchased exactly this Hoonah Whale-Watching Tour, and transport was provided.

Step into an Alaska Experience

After all of them are seated and secured (via harnesses) they take-off. The zip-line is both adrenaline-loaded and adventurous activity as it offers the majestic Alaskan scenery to enjoy. I believe in savoring the adventures in each day, place and moment. So, in spite of running a dental practice and being the mom of three boys, I still get out for many adventures, close to home in New England or far away, on a regular basis. I long for the novel and this world is full of such beauty. I hope this blog inspires you to experience your best adventures yet, without excuses.

Canopy Adventure Park

If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even see bears, whales, birds, and other wildlife. Before your exhilarating trip down the mountain, you’ll ride to the start, via gondola. Look around to catch a glimpse of the old forests, possibly wildlife, the bay and its stunning islands that surround Icy Strait Point’s port. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Icy Strait Point. Visitors can take a whale-watching excursion to see humpback whales, orcas, and other marine life in their natural habitat.

Scenic Mountain Ascent & World's Largest ZipRider

The first outside influence to reach Chichagof Island was fur traders, who arrived in the 1880s and established a community here. In 1912, a salmon cannery was built, creating employment for many local Tlingit. Many families took shelter here after a fire destroyed the town in June of 1944. The culture of the Tlingit is inextricably linked to Icy Strait Point.

We're Agnes and Chris, your go-to guides for all things Alaska. It’s time to rest and try some of the best local dining experiences Icy Strait Point offers. This 100% guaranteed sighting tour brings you close to these magnificent creatures and often includes sightings of orcas, sea lions, and porpoises. The tour operator is knowledgeable and provides insights into the behaviors and habits of these marine animals, making it an educational experience as well. Located just outside the charming village of Hoonah on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point is Alaska’s unique, privately owned, and operated cruise destination.

The new SKYGLiDER ascends to 1,600 feet of elevation at Sky Peak. The 54 cabins each hold eight passengers, all enjoying window seats. The complimentary TRANSPORTER gondola moves guests between the two cruise piers, Ocean Landing and the newest pier, Wilderness Landing.

At the top, you’ll find access to hiking trails that cater to all levels of adventurers. Depart directly from Icy Strait Point into the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, celebrated as one of Alaska’s premier locations for spotting humpback whales. Icy Strait Point is a cruise destination and is only open when we have a ship in port; Icy Strait Point is also open to the public at these times. We strongly encourage our guests to book their tours prior to arrival through their cruise line and for independent travelers to book through this website. We do offer day-of sales at several of the sales desks we operate around the site. In 2019, Hoonah cruise port had scheduled 137 ship calls with estimated 267,000 passengers.

How to Spend Your Day in Icy Strait Point, Alaska as a Cruise Port

Table Of Content

• The Crab House
• Step into an Alaska Experience
• What is Icy Strait Point? Is it the Same Place as Hoonah?
• Walk into Hoonah

This activity is on Chris’s bucket list, and he plans to do it in June. If you are in a group of daredevils and thrill-seekers, get ready for the ride of your life on the world’s largest zipline—the ZipRider. If you visiting Hoonah, Icy Strait Brewing is the perfect place to relax. This local brewery offers a taste of unique Alaskan beers crafted with the spirit and flavors of the region. Through exhibits and storytelling, you gain insights into the life and traditions of the Tlingit people and the evolution of the salmon industry that shaped the area.

The Crab House

The project was a partnership between Alaska State, Hoonah City and Huna Totem Corporation. The new terminal has berthing capacity to handle Breakaway Plus-class NCL liners (LOA length 326 m, max passenger capacity 4900). In the museum, you’ll learn about all of the different varieties of local salmon, and you’ll get a glimpse of what the factory would have looked like in its heyday. Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen offers cooking-class-style demonstrations and tastings led by a local Alaskan fisherwoman and wilderness chef. On this tour, your guide will take you on a hike to explore the native habitats of the many birds in Icy Strait Point.

Step into an Alaska Experience

Remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean you will see a breaching or bubble-netting group of whales. Boat operators cooperate and let others know when they spot a whale. Whales migrate through the area on their way back from wintering in Hawaii. As an added bonus, you might see a passing humpy from the waterfront restaurants at the Cannery.

What is Icy Strait Point? Is it the Same Place as Hoonah?

For those interested in trying their hand at catching a local species, it’s possible to go out for a fishing adventure. Along the way, you will see the new Wyland whale sculpture, pass by other restaurants, and might even enjoy the chip fire. Stroll along the coast to the Cannery, where the restored former fish processing center has been transformed into shops, restaurants, and a historical museum.

We aimed to immerse ourselves in the stunning natural beauty and explore the hidden gems of the Inside Passage. Large-sized cruise ships to Icy Strait Point Alaska anchor near Hoonah and their passengers are transported via ship's tender boats. Port Icy Strait Point cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska.

These shops are all locally owned businesses stocked with Alaska-made products. So, if you want an exciting ride on the stunning Strait Point Sea, go on this tour. Hoonah is home to hundreds of species of birds with its unique mixed coastal and rainforest ecosystem. You can’t miss this excursion, so check your ship’s plans to get the best prices for this unforgettable ride. Icy strait point has the world’s largest ZipRider, which will send you on a breathtaking coast down a 5,330-foot zipline in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.

Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point is a bit confusing because it is only the name of the cruise port, not an actual city. When your ship arrives in port, you will be in the native-run area of Icy Strait Point. Here you will find shopping, restaurants, and an old salmon cannery. If you want to catch a glimpse of native Alaskan brown bears and other unique forest wildlife, sign up for the Wildlife & Bear Search excursion. Nearby, just 1.6 miles (2.6km) away, is Alaska’s largest native Tlingit village, the town of Hoonah.

Most whale-watching operators have a money-back guarantee that you will see a whale. Some carts come right to the ship that will get you to an accessible spot so that you may enjoy this port. Always make sure you know what you want to do before you set sail on the cruise, and Cruise Hive has you covered with many other popular ports in Alaska right here. For those who want to stay a little closer to the ground, the Tree Top Adventure & Ropes Course is your destination. Test your skills on this unique obstacle course built amongst the forest. There are log bridges to cross, planks to climb, fishermen’s nets to navigate and other challenges along the way.

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Paddle a sea kayak through sheltered waterways where you could spot whales and dolphins, and look out for majestic bald eagles in the trees. Feast on delicious salmon and crab, and get to know the local Tlingit guides, who have a deep connection to nature and are delighted to share their rich culture and legends with visitors. Explore the ultimate Icy Strait Point itinerary, perfectly crafted for cruise passengers looking to immerse themselves in Alaska’s unparalleled beauty and culture. From heart-pounding adventures on the world’s largest ZipRider to serene whale-watching excursions and rich cultural experiences. This guide will help you plan an unforgettable day at one of Alaska’s most cherished cruise destinations. The whale watching excursion goes to Point Adolphus (protected marine area).

If you walk into town and don’t want to walk back to the ship, shuttle bus tickets are available to purchase at Huna Outfitters, located next to City Hall. Duck Point Smokehouse RestaurantThe poshest of the three local restaurants, the Duck Point Smokehouse does as its name suggests and smokes salmon on the premises. The signature dish is Icy Strait Point Surf and Turf, featuring crab tater tots and Alaskan Blue sliders, while there are plenty of seafood dishes, too. The Cookhouse Restaurant The Cookhouse is another casual restaurant, specializing in locally caught halibut and chips, as well as salmon BLT sliders. For another local delicacy, try the Alaska Blue Burger, which includes reindeer meat, caramelized onions, and blue cheese. Six thrill-seekers at a time can fly 5,330 feet through a vertical drop of 1,300 feet on the ZipRider, which connects the top of Sky Peak with the Adventure Center.

The thrill of spotting a bear in the wild and the natural beauty of the surroundings make for an unforgettable adventure. In the Inside Passage area, you also can watch bears in Ketchikan. The restaurant takes pride in its fresh ingredients, with halibut purchased directly from the local dock.

You’ll stroll on boardwalks across Muskeg swampland before hiking forest trails to a series of lookout points facing the river. As well as coastal brown bears, you could spot Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles. Tlingit guides also point out the different plants growing in the forest, many of which are edible or have medicinal uses. It is a popular port of call for many Alaskan cruises, and visitors can easily explore the area on foot or by taking one of the many excursions offered.

You’ll reach speeds of up to 60 mph as you soar 300 feet over the forest canopy, giving you an adrenaline rush like no other. If you have time to take in the scenery, look out for bald eagles, bears, deer, and the distant snowy peaks of Glacier Bay National Park. Brave the ZipRider®, the world’s longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. Guests can also participate in traditional totem pole carving and basket-weaving activities. These hands-on experiences offer a unique opportunity to learn about the Huna Tlingit culture and create a meaningful souvenir to take home.