Where is Icy Strait Point?

We are located on Chichagof Island in the town of Hoonah, Alaska. We are a short airplane ride from Juneau and also accessible by Cruise Ships and the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Is Icy Strait Point open to the public?

Icy Strait Point is open to the general public anytime a cruise ship is in port. Please check our online tour booking calendar to see when we’re operating or email us at info@icystraitpoint.com.

What is there to do at Icy Strait Point?

Icy Strait Point offers more than 20 different shore excursions, 3 breathtaking waterfront restaurants, walking trails, a free museum, a live native show, and shopping. Icy Strait Point even has a beach that guests may access and enjoy.

What makes Icy Strait Point special?

First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Whales regularly cruise by just offshore and Chichagoff Island has the highest density of brown bears (grizzly) of anywhere in Alaska. This is the real Alaska! You won’t find a better place to experience an outdoor adventure and get a sense of what a historic cannery and rural Alaska community are truly like.

Making this experience even more special is our predominantly local staff! Owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, the overwhelming majority of our workforce is Alaska Native from the nearby community of Hoonah. You can be sure that when you visit Icy Strait Point, you will spend your entire day hosted by locals who are proud to share their stories with you!

Do I have to book excursions through my cruise line?

While we allocate much of our tour inventory to the cruise ship that is in port for the day, Icy Strait Point does sell a limited number of tours directly from our website that may be booked directly. However, tours that are not sold on www.icystraitpoint.com may only be purchased via their cruise line or after arriving onsite. Cruise ship guests are encouraged to book their tours at their cruise lines’ websites prior to arrival.

You may also book your tours from Icy Strait Point directly upon arrival. However, these bookings will depend on availability and many of our tours sell out. We strongly recommend booking tours in advance.

Are the prices for excursions the same as on the ship?

In many cases, yes. However, there may be differences depending on the cruise line and tour desired.

Is ISP ADA-accessible?

Yes. The Icy Strait Point cannery is connected by smooth paths and boardwalk and every effort has been made to make the site ADA accessible. For guests needing assistance, ISP does have several compact utility vehicles to assist guests in getting from place to place.

Many of ISP’s tours are ADA-accessible. For specific inquiries, please see individual tour descriptions.

Do the guides live here?

Yes, for the most part our guides live year round in Hoonah and a large percentage of our guides are from the Tlingit tribe.

Why are there so many whales?

Icy Strait Point is located right around the corner from Point Adolphus, one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations. Scores of whales make this their home for the summers and we guarantee whales on every whale watch tour at Icy Strait Point.

Is there shopping available?

Absolutely! The historic cannery buildings have 12 different retail shops, including local and Native-owned stores. It is easy to find the right souvenir to bring home to your friends and family.

Are there Bears on the island?

Chichagof Island is home to over 3,500 coastal brown (grizzly) bears, almost two bears per square mile! This is a great place to go in search of these magnificent creatures.

Can we get fresh seafood?

Our waterfront restaurants buy their fish from local fishermen, thereby offering some of the freshest seafood you will ever eat. Our Local Dungeness crab are brought up live daily, butchered, cooked and served while you watch!

Sightseeing – Can we get off the bus in town if we are on the Hoonah Sightseeing excursion?

There are several scheduled stops in Hoonah on the sightseeing tour, but we return all guests to the point of departure, which is at Icy Strait Point.

Wildlife and Bear Search -Do you guarantee bear sightings?

We do not guarantee bear or terrestrial wildlife sightings.

How far is the walk on the Spasski River Valley Wildlife and Bear Search, and is it strenuous?

The walk is approximately 800 yards, of which most is on boardwalk with the other portion on forest trail. There is a bit of an incline at the end of the trail before re-boarding the bus.

ZipRider

How do you get to the top of the ZipRider?

You will travel by bus from Icy Strait Point to your destination on the top of the mountain.

Can a person just go on the bus ride with family members to the top to watch and then return by bus?

This excursion if very popular and the buses are usually full so this is not possible.

How long is the ZipRider?

Our ZipRider is the longest in the U.S. and one of the longest in the world at 5,330’.

How high is the ZipRider?

The ZipRider tower is located at an elevation of 1,350’ and drops 1330’ back to sea level.

How fast do you go and how long is the ride? (ZipRider)

Riders reach a top speed of 60 miles per hour and the ride lasts approximately 90 seconds.

What is the age limit for the ZipRider?

There is no age limit. Maximum weight allowable is 275 lbs and minimum weight is 75 lbs.

How long does it take to get to the top of the mountain for the ZipRider?

Transport time from Icy Strait Point to the tower is 45 minutes. A tour through the village of Hoonah is included.

Fishing – How is the fishing?

The fishing is excellent and the waters around Icy Strait Point offer excellent fishing opportunities. You will find halibut, salmon, and stream fishing excursions and our fishing grounds are right around the corner!

What time of year is best to catch fish?

Halibut may be caught all season year long. SIlver salmon (soho), pink (humpy) and keta (chum) may be caught in abundance beginning the first of July through September.

Can my 13 year old go charter fishing without me?

Unfortunately you must be 16 years old in order to participate unaccompanied.

Can we reserve an entire charter fishing boat?

Yes. You must purchase all six available tickets for your particular tour time and then you may fish one to six participants.

Can I go on the fishing boat and just watch my family member fish?

Yes. However, you will still be charged the full tour price.

Do you have fly fishing gear for your “Stream Fishing” excursion?

Yes. Please note that there is a limited amount of fly fishing gear available so an entire group would not be able to fly fish.

Can I keep the fish that I catch?

If you are stream fishing, we participate in a catch-and-release only program. If you are halibut fishing, you may keep the fish but will have to pay to have your fish processed and shipped home to you. You will not be allowed to take the fish back on your cruise vessel.

Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise

What happens if we do not see whales on the Whale Excursion?

Adults will be given a one hundred dollar cash refund and children will be refunded fifty dollars cash.

Forest and Nature Tram – Is the Forest Tram covered?

Yes, the tram is covered and also has clear side curtains that may be dropped when the weather dictates.

Does the Forest Tram go up in the air?

The Forest Tram does no go up in the air. It is a wheeled vehicle pulled by a motored front car.

Can I sit with my family on a tour?

We make every attempt to locate family members together but may not be able to accommodate every request, especially with large groups. If you wish to sit collectively, please check in early with your shore excursion team or Icy Strait Point staff at the Adventure Center and we will do everything possible to make sure that your wishes are accommodated.

Kayak – I have never kayaked. Will I be able to do this trip?

This tour is considered moderately strenuous. If you have not kayaked before, our experienced guide will give you a very thorough safety briefing and make sure that you are comfortable before departure. The pace is not fast and the group is always kept together. We do have a safety boat that follows the group and arrangements can be made to return you to Icy Strait Point if you are unable to complete the tour.

Where do I leave my stuff if I go on the Kayak adventure, can I take my camera?

There will be lockers available in the Welcome Center to store you belongings and you may take your camera. We suggest that you bring a waterproof cover for your camera on rainy days and to protect it from the salt water.

ATV – How many people to an ATV?

Icy Strait Point’s ATVs are predominantly two-passenger. We do offer a limited number of four-passenger ATVs for families or groups wishing to ride together. If participants are licensed drivers, there are several stopping points along the tour that would allow drivers to switch.

Do you really need to have a license to drive an ATV?

Yes, it is Alaska State Law.

Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen – What is the minimum age for “In Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen”?

8 years old.

Is there something other than seafood to eat at the “In Alaska’s Kitchen”?

This tour focuses mainly on the processing and preparation of Alaska seafood. If seafood is not your thing, then perhaps another tour would suit your needs better.