The biggest halibut on record was caught inside Icy Strait! 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. Continue on from the post above for some pictures from it and more in the area. No snow but you get to watch and touch them. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. For the best wildlife viewing, check out our small group Icy Strait Point shore excursions. We just rode the Dragon's Breath zipline in November so we aren't leaning towards the zipline. 2. On this 3.5-hour charter, youll board a locally-operated boat and head out onto the waters of Icy Strait. 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! Lower lift line. Get ready for a stream fishing adventure in pristine wilderness that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. It was one of the stops that sold me on this May 13 cruise since it's absent on Royal's Seattle based cruises. Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. Icy Strait is home to a wide array of wildlife, including orcas, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, porpoise, and the majestic humpback whale. 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 had our two grandsons with us, ages 10 & 12. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Great Value. Your excursion begins with a scenic drive along Gastineau Channel, and into the Ship Creek Valley. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. Then walk along the Seawall, with the downtown skyline as your backdrop. We are a family-run company based right here in Hoonah. The majority of us, when we think of Alaska, probably picture a big area covered in ice, frozen land, and maybe even caribou running free across the tundra. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. 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. 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. 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. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. Paste as plain text instead, Ovation of the Seas in Alaska. Look for jewellery made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects and warm winter fashions. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Longest Zip Line, Icy Strait Point, Alaska. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. Climb onboard a wheeled training cart and relax as your team of Alaskan huskies take you on a 1.5-mile journey through the rainforest! Every trip is an adventure in this lush rainforest where Brown Bears outnumber humans. 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. Valerie! (That means each excursion gets its own number, no ties), I gave each excursion a boost or deduction for being a good value based on the. Join us for the best show in town, a 3-hour whale watching excursion (includes transportation time and approx 2.5 hours on the water) which begins when you board the bus that departs from the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub, just a short 5-minute walk from your cruise ship. Do you have any experience with either excursion? We love the article! Another view of tower 5. For guests with mobility concerns, the following information will help you decide if you will be able to join our tours. Rides are unlimited and allow you to explore Icy Strait Point at your leisure. Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. Explore our Alaska cruises today! Drones are able to see below the water surface and broadcast live video back to the boat. This excursion doesnt have the same wow factor as flightseeing or adrenaline-inducing zip-lining, its by far the most culturally immersive experience you can have in Icy Strait Point and possibly on your whole Alaska trip. 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. Sharing the types of adventures along with the budget you seek will help anyone who might respond with ideas. View Health & Safety requirements. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. 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. 335 Harbor Dr Hoonah Apr 1, 2014. Youll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops. In fact, our captains, naturalists and guides live to love whales, so it pleases them to no end to leave you wide-eyed on whales! There are a few great reasons! Alaska-Sized Adventure However there is so much more. Take a 4-hour shore excursion from Hoonah to Icy Strait in search of bears. 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! Our guide, a college student from DC, pandered so to the Tlingit culture it was embarrassing. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. How is the Halibut shipped home for oyu. Among the huge number of excursions you can book in Juneau - and even on this list of nine - it's hard to choose the best one. Indulge in fresh seafood and native veggies like beach asparagus and seaweed to fuel up for stops in Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, Seward, and of course the marvelous Hubbard Glacier. Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. 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'] ? " If your ship doesnt make it to port for any reason, we will refund you in full without incurring any administration fees or penalties. Icy Strait Point is owned by the Hoonah Tlingit tribe, so this is a chance to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the locals who are hosting you on their land. They had a blast doing things there. At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. You can potentially also see bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and otters. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. The buildings that once was a cannery provided a very nice historical perspective of how it really use to be. Shore Excursions Group takes you on a journey in the Icy Strait to see the bears, fish, bald eagles, and whales that call Icy Strait home. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. Free shore excursions will allow you to explore the majestic natural wonders of The Icy Straight on an all-inclusive luxury cruise to Alaska. Stream Fishing 6. 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. He know how to find the whales! Icy Strait Point Excursions and Tours Located in southeast Alaska and along the coast, Icy Strait Point gives you a peek inside the beautiful and diverse Alaskan wildlife. Whether you are looking for a scenic kayaking, adventurous or eating and drinking shore excursion, there's no better site to book your shore tour with than Shore Excursions Group. Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Thanks for the info and the pics, very nice. 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. TO BOOK A TOUR AT ICY STRAIT POINT PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR CRUISE LINE. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. This 2.5-hour outdoor adventure is listed as moderate in terms of activity level. We only have 4 port days! 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 Small Group Shore Excursion: We're going on a bear hunt! Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Not only that, our sturdy fleet of boats in conjunction with our experienced captains at the helm, and guides at the wheel of the vans, are more than capable of coping with the conditions. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. And don't worry, a safe, brake-activated landing awaits at Icy Strait Point. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. You cannot paste images directly. Add in the communication he has with other captains on the other boats, and it's a perfect whale finding system! @alaskatravel, Small cruise ship stop with good scenery but limited and expensive activities. Thank you for sharing this. The view is pretty nice but not warrant the ticket price. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. 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. When Maisie goes missing, Owen and Claire set out to find her, and eventually . Copyright 2023 Icy Strait Point Excursions. 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. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. I have heard that whale watching excursions book on the ship are on very big boats that hold a lot of people. Good Value. $605. . We can guarantee you will be back to board your ship in plenty of time. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. Guests must be able to climb in and out of a 15 passenger van. Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. Combo assemblies on tower 5. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect . Duration: 2.25 hours Price: $145 per person View Details Juneau Musher's Camp & Sled Dog Discovery 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. It's operated by a native corporation but the charter of ISP dictates only one ship at a time. My wife and I are going on the 11 night Ovation of the Seas sailing on May 13, 2019. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. 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. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. Icy Strait Point. Take in the beautiful Alaskan scenery and bring your camera to snap some photos of . 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. Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $280 per person View Details We also invite you to learn about one of Icy Strait's native peoples, the Huna Tlingit, and the town of Hoonah. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! We offer the lowest rates in Hoonah! They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. 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. By Sightings happen often, but as all things in Nature are not guaranteed. 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!). But, Ive weighed the options and consider these nine to be the best Icy Strait Point and Hoonah cruise excursions. 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 . 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. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Icy Strait Point is home to an abundance of tours and excursions designed to help you experience what Alaska has to offer. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait in particular, is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! Josh has captained in this area for many years and knows the area well! Our experiences focus on the heart of Alaska. Heres how I calculated the scores: Based on all that, heres my list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions: While not everyone will agree with this list and it wasnt the original list I wrote back for the 2020 season (ha!). If you have already received tickets, please call the local tour operator phone number listed on your tickets for tour-specific questions as they will be the best resource to answer unique questions. 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. My wife and I have booked an August 2012 southbound cruise from Seward to Vancouver on the RC Radiance of the Seas. Dining on sale - Exclusive Dining Offer. 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. 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. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. You will then get to see how the birds, fish, mammals, plants, forests, rivers, and climate all weave together to create this lush, vibrant ecosystem! And don't forget the fishing. That being said, if you call and book you will save the 6% fee the booking platform we use charges. Get ready for your fill of bears, deer, bald eagles, and more on this exciting wildlife search! I hope you properly set expectations very low or else you may very well be disappointed. Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. 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. This excursion starts with a boat transfer from Sitka to the nearby Siginaka Islands; this cluster of islands is located north of town so you'll enjoy views of Sitka's waterfront and coast along the way. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Town is very small with nothing more than a few shore excursions to choose from. Once inside the Adventure Center, walk through the building and exit through door number 2 this is clearly marked. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. My ship gets in at __:__. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. amazing ships, destinations and onboard offerings.. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. . And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. Zip-lining is so in right now! This is a 90-minute excursion that includes an obstacle course dubbed the Adventure Park, made up of a log bridge, climbing planks, fishermens net, and more. This allows for a great crew to guest ratio, ensuring your experience is personal. Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Seabourn. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. {{card.portName}}, Onboard By pem309, . Welcome to Hoonah, AK. Visiting in September of 2023. Hoonay is the first stop of our cruise. Beyond the cannery is the pick up for tours and the ( today free) shuttle to the local village of Hoonah. 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. We do NOT have space to store wheelchairs or walkers on then van/bus or aboard the boat during your tour, even if they are the folding type. You won't find a better place to experience an outdoor adventure and get a sense of what a . Alaska-Sized Adventure With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! The areas we search near in Hoonah near Icy Strait Point and Point Adolphus are known Humpback whale feeding grounds. Call 1-866-999-6590 today to speak to a booking agent! If you do have the fortune to hook a halibut, the boat company will ship it home to you. 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. But the kayaking was well worth. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land's glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Find Shore Tours to Book Select your cruise ship and we'll display only the tours that work with your schedule in each port. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. We have guests that book up to a year in advance as our tours typically sell out well before their departure date. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. 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. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. There is also a Zip line, a ropes course, and gondolas to take you up the mountain for spectacular views of Icy Strait. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. ISP is small and I would have no issues with straying from an RCL excursion at this port. After a drive through (and out of) town, youll leave the crowds behind and head onto Alaska native-owned lands where youll disembark and start your wilderness hike. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world at 1-2 brown bears per square mile, making it a great destination for bear watching from Icy Strait Point. Gratuities/Tips are never expected, but our crew work hard to make sure you have a great experience and a Thank you tip is always appreciated! In Juneau I know of asled dog excursionincluded as part of a helicopter to a glacier type activity which makes it expensive but very good. I looked at the number of cruise companies offering that excursion in 2022. To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. Expect guaranteed whale sightings in these nutrient-rich waters during the summer. , Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. 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. OHIO. Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . The old cannery is now home to a museum, restaurants, and locally owned arts and crafts shops. I know they've built up the port area a little bit, but glad to see it still has its charm. Journey from Icy Strait Point into the wilds of Chichagof Island as you explore the Spasski River Valley in search of local wildlife. Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours. Date of experience: September 2017. The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. Or, in the unlikely event you dont sight a whale, well refund you $100. Ships Deck Plans . This is not a mass-market big bus tour. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. View Details. We ensure your safety aboard our boats and tour vans. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. We are a quick 20 minute flight from Juneau, Alaska. In addition to your wildlife search, depart directly from Icy Strait Point on your safe, stable, covered, and comfortable whale-watching vessel and travel through the bountiful waters of Icy Strait to the renowned Point Adolphus area, home to Alaska's largest summer population of humpback whales. If youre struggling to choose between Icy Strait Point shore excursions, Im here to help. 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 . Take a journey into this serene kayak adventure on Icy Strait for an unforgettable experience! Overview. Don't Lose Your Reservation! Lover of books and dessert. Guests must be able to walk over paved, gravel, and packed dirt surfaces, with inclines. 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. 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. This Alaskan cruise port town has so much to offer. 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. The gondola is fairly new (expensive investment) but the ride only lasted for about 5 minutes. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. 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). Thanks for reading, Helen! Enhance your Quantum of the Seas cruise with a unique shore excursion from ShoreTrips. If wild and cruise line food is not your thing, there are delicious restaurants in the area. I mean, you can zip-line in many ports around the world, so is it any surprise that theres an epic zip-lining experience in Alaska? Foodie cruisers, this ones for you! Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, then the ZipRider is for you. I really like ISP. Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! They have an indoor shopping mall, a salmon cannery museum and a restaurant all under one roof. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? As tours can be enhanced or spoiled by the guide, we were unlucky. I really enjoyed reading about all the fun stuff to do on our crusie through alaska. Our small group experiences offer a unique and thrilling memory of the pristine natural beauty around Icy Strait, Alaska.
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