You can post now and register later. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Magnificent! Wind along back roads in search of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer, and enjoy spectacular views of the natural beauty that surrounds you along the way. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. Start here. Long time listener and I know this has been covered a million times, just not so much recently. For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. It can get chilly and rainy in our temperate rain forest, although summertime often sees our coastal city enjoy mild temperatures. Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). We booked the gondola and tram ride. The nature trailis pretty short. 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. Thank you for sharing this. This is your chance to see brown bears, Sitka black tail deer and other wildlife up close in the natural scenic beauty of the last frontier. 1. 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). Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect . What do you think? I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. Icy Strait Point. Home port: Seattle. Hawaii shore excursionmight be just the ticket. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! Approaching the lattice tower. Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. Response from Host, Sep 2022. Just let us know and we will make sure everyone is together. Our stops are Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria,BC. 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. Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tours; Cruise Lines. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. This allows for a great crew to guest ratio, ensuring your experience is personal. Sorry to hear that, John. Everything was close together and easy. They had a blast doing things there. The Crab House, The Cookhouse, and Duck Point Smokehouse are excellent dining options. Royal Caribbean Group. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. 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. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? Lover of books and dessert. She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. 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. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. The area near Icy Strait Point, with its proximity to Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay, is home to one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska and the whale watching is second to none. Just don't forget to bring your cameras, binoculars, and waterproof apparel! Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community, https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/, Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, I went through all of the Icy Strait Point excursions and chose the ones I think are worth doing (the V factor ). 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. Reserve your dining now. We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! This is a small group tour that provides you the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature! There are a few great reasons! 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. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. 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 . Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. The old cannery is now home to a museum, restaurants, and locally owned arts and crafts shops. Here's our itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia| Sail Away 5 PM, Icy Strait Point, Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM, Sitka, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM, Juneau, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM, Skagway, Alaska Arrive7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. I also keep in mind some of the othertips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions Ive previously shared. We keep our groups small, so we can take you off the beaten path, where the locals go. We choose to make the short trip over to the actual town of Hoonah and truly enjoyed watching and speaking with two local men who were carving a totem pole. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. On this 2- to 3-hour excursion, youll board a helicopter, cruise up to the top of the mountain, unload your bikes, and ride back down. When comparing all of the Alaska cruise excursions in Icy Strait Point, theres one that stands out as truly special: the Hoonah Sightseeing and Tribal Dance offering that almost every cruise company provides. No snow but you get to watch and touch them. Your personal view of the whales is not repaced with drones; just supplemented! Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.) Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! Currently booked for shore excursions, I have Yukon Adventure & White Pass . Our fishing shore excursions are offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Im glad youre happy with it! Point Adolphus, in particular, is world-famous for its concentration of humpback whales and is located about 5 miles from the southern side of Icy Strait. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. . Apr 1, 2014. 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. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? This May 13 cruise has a long stay in ISP, something absent on most itineraries. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. We before they even had a pier and it was so different from the other ports. Icy Strait Point: Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search - See 1,321 traveler reviews, 1,105 candid photos, and great deals for Hoonah, AK, at Tripadvisor. Generally speaking, Carnival will be the least expensive and Disney will be the most expensive, with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian at the lower end and Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, and Cunard at the upper end. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! We receive a constant stream of updates on the cruise ships timetables. Since I already pointed out that Icy Strait Point is a unique cultural destination, what better way to experience it than on a cooking class excursion? 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. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaskas largest Native Tlingit village. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Your link has been automatically embedded. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. (This Icy Strait Point excursion is not for those who are faint of heart or afraid of heights!). My ship gets in at __:__. Visited from our cruise ship. An Alaskan, family owned small business, inspired by nature. With that in mind, prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. Read more in my Privacy Policy. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? The areas we search near in Hoonah near Icy Strait Point and Point Adolphus are known Humpback whale feeding grounds. Combo assemblies on tower 5. I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? 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). Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. This Alaska cruise excursion might not be for everyone, but if you love wildlife (and especially birding) this widely-offered excursion might be the one for you in Icy Strait Point. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. On this visitI did a whale watching excursion. Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. As tours can be enhanced or spoiled by the guide, we were unlucky. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: We know where all the wilderness hotspots are. This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. Also what is the machine behind the Icy Strait point sign? Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. From land to sea to sky, envelop yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska, and get close (but not too close) and personal with the wildlife, and the locals! You soon will be where you can sight humpbacks, Orcas, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises and seals, all attracted to the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay. Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. Professionally guided stream fishing excursions on the hidden edge waters of Chichagof, Island. $605. Favorites. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. View Health & Safety requirements. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? I agree that the activities are for older children. Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. Discover Alaska's Wildest Kitchen, a hands-on tasting session like no other and hosted by an Alaskan master wilderness chef. What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. - Ovation only at Icy Straight Point and Sitka, - Juneau has 5 ships, port load - 11970 guests, - Skagway has 3 ships, port load - 6830 guests. Duration: Approximately 2 hours Minimum Age: 10 years old Restrictions: Guests must not weigh more than 250 pounds. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. During season 2016, the port handled 78 ship calls and ~160,000 cruise tourists. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! So I decided to use that knowledge to come up with a list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions. ISP is small and I would have no issues with straying from an RCL excursion at this port. Visiting from {country-flag} {country-name}? Rides are unlimited and allow you to explore Icy Strait Point at your leisure. 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. Our small group experiences offer a unique and thrilling memory of the pristine natural beauty around Icy Strait, Alaska. Alaska-Sized Adventure I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. I've already enjoyed reading the boards and have already learned so much that is very helpful. Zip-lining is so in right now! Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? 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. Yes, there is an excellent exhibit on the fishery and canning industry. Icy Strait Point is a new cruise port option with new dock, new facilities, and great signage for the limited options here in the land of the Hoonah Tlingit people. Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours. Since the arrival of cruise ship travelers, the Huna Totem Corporation has restored a former salmon cannery to support tourism in the area. Please dont worry; well know if your ship is delayed. 25422881. Established in the early 1960s, Tok River Outfitters, now a second generation Alaskan business, is still owned and operated by the original founder's family. Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Dei L'e.aan (lisa's Art Store), Hotels near Alaska Luxury Tours - Icy Strait Point / Hoonah, Hotels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Motels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Hoonah, Icy Strait Point - Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise, Tribal Dance & Cultural Legends at Icy Strait Point, Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh, Fire in the Valley- Carnegie Steel and the Town That Built America, Bohol Taug Whale Shark Watching and Snorkeling, Private Two Hour Yacht Charter in Tampa Bay, Half Day Blue Cave and Snorkeling Tour from Dubrovnik Old Town, Hvar (Hvar island) & Bol (Bra island) - Day Trip from Makarska - Every Tuesday. Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait in particular, is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing around. 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. This salmon cannery was shut down in the 1970s and now is clean and remodeled with a free museum, beautiful gift shops and a display of the salmon processing equipment. Now lets dive into each one! 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. Get ready for fjords, majestic mountains, vast forests, potential animal sightings, and an experience you will never forget! You can potentially also see bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and otters. All rights reserved. From their connection to nature to their tribal dance, the spirit of their people is something to behold. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. To see a bear up close and in the wild, no better then that. On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, . Keep an eye out for other wildlife, like eagles, sea lions, seals, sea otters. Get behind the wheel of an ATV, race down a thrilling zip line, check out historical reenactments, hop on a husky-drawn sled, ride in an old-time streetcar . Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Duration: 2.25 hours Price: $145 per person View Details Juneau Musher's Camp & Sled Dog Discovery It is totally safe! For all other questions, please email [emailprotected] or call 1-888-586-8489, In order to check the status of your reservation request, please use the following link: alaskashoreexcursions.com/order-status. Least Favorite Port but Still Pretty Cool, Rainy and cold the day we visited, which changed our excursion plans from kayaking to walking from port to town. Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. In years past, I used to call out Icy Strait Point as the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park; this year, my research showed that the major cruise companies seem to be visiting Glacier Bay as part of their itineraries and there are no excursions that take you into the park anymore. 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. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. Icy Strait Point, sometimes called Hoonah after the native people who live in this area and run the cruise port, is one popular stop on Alaska cruises but it can be hard to decipher the marketing language to know which excursions will be worth your time and money. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Our Local Guides Provide an Intimate and Authentic Experience. Or that its the largest in the world kind of like Alaska is the largest state? This is not a mass-market big bus tour. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. 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. But young toddlers have to just walk and look around. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. T4. And completely reliable. We shape and time all of our tours and excursions around the cruise ships schedules relieving you of any stress before you dock into port. Seeing whales on your tour is guaranteed. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Unfortunately, only one cruise company offers it which handicapped it in the rankings for 2023. While we love delivering stunning target birds like Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Bald Eagles, and Stellers Jays, we arent just about birds on this tour. Website Season:$180 per person3.5 hrs. Get ready for a stream fishing adventure in pristine wilderness that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Many outdoor enthusiasts come to Alaska for fishing, and Hoonah won't disappoint. We are so excited about it and are beginni. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022 for the coming season. Often two ships split the day with one in the AM and one in the PM which works since the days are long in the summer. This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. The Tlingit community has invested a great deal of money, time, and energy to convert this historic fishing village into a respite for cruisers who wish to learn more about the Indigenous people, their land, and their fascinating culture. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Once inside the Adventure Center, walk through the building and exit through door number 2 this is clearly marked. 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. , Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. Your Kayak experience will take you into the peaceful waters of Port Frederick. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaskas largest Tlingit village. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! 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. Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. My wife and I used them and when we go back we'll use them again.. Display as a link instead, The Tlingit tribe has called this area home for centuries, and they love to share their native culture. It's operated by a native corporation but the charter of ISP dictates only one ship at a time. Enjoy a fun small-group experience on this Icy Strait whale watching tour, limited to 18 passengers per tour. If on a boat tour you will have to walk approx 100 yards from the van to the boat. And don't forget the fishing.
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