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Trails that weave in and out of the Icy Strait Point port complex are right off the ships. Some trails take you into the woods, and some run along the beach. Many visitors walk along the shore, some searching for stones. Others sit and enjoy the view, the waves, and the peaceful surroundings. Located on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point is near the largest Tlingit village in Alaska, Hoonah.
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Riders get into individual seats and place their feet on a board that blocks the view of what will come. The SKYGLiDER carries 2,800 guests per hour in each direction. The views at the top showcase the magnificence of this spectacular area of Alaska. This transport gets Wilderness Landing guests closer to the Cannery area and Ocean Landing guests close to the SKYGLiDER to reach the top of the mountain.
For wildlife enthusiasts: Wildlife and Bear Search Tour
From here, you will join a guide and drive around on the rugged roads. You will see valleys, mountains and the ocean and hear about the culture and history of the Tlingit people. There are multiple cars on each route; only eight passengers per gondola; everyone has a “window seat;” and, they are all wheelchair accessible. This is the perfect way to snap some photos of your ship docked far below at the pier. For the first option, enjoy the cleared and level paths through old growth forests. Then, take a walk along the beach for a chance to see seabirds.
Things to Do in Icy Strait Point, Alaska
The whales had migrated when we were there because of an extremely warm summer. Alaska cemented my knowledge that finding animals depends on their food sources. On our day in Icy Strait Point, we saw many bald eagles and a few Dall’s porpoises. On the tour to Point Adolphus, you might also see other Alaskan wildlife, such as seals, porpoises, sea lions, otters, and killer whales. Keep your eyes on the shoreline and you could spot brown bears and bald eagles, too. Salmon and halibut are abundant in the saltwater area, with the bonus of guided fishing expeditions to local streams.
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The Transporter route is a complimentary ride used by visitors to travel between the two piers. The Skyglider route carries passengers up a 1,600-foot elevation to the top of Sky Peak. Once at the summit, spend some time just looking at the views; enjoy a hike to Hidden Lake; or, fly back down the mountain on the ZipRider. In the case of whale watching, any time of the day is a good time for observations. But—we are always honest with you—we didn’t take this trip because we ran out of time. The photo below is from our other bear-watching tour in Alaska.
Amazing experiences coming soon.
Local guides explain the history of totem poles and the stories they tell, or show you how they live off the land. At the Heritage Theater, you could discover tribal dance performances that showcase the rich traditions of the Native Southeast Alaskan tribes. Proud Huna Tlingit performers, dressed in their finest regalia, display the stories of their ancestry through dance, storytelling, and songs.
Currently, Icy Strait Point’s primary industry is cruise ship tourism, and 85% of the people who work in the port are Tlingit locals. Icy Strait Point is the only cruise port in Alaska that is privately owned and operated. The port is under the authority of the Alaska Huna Totem Corporation and its Alaska native shareholders. All profits directly go to support the people and town of Hoonah. In 2021, Icy Strait Point was one of the first Alaskan cruise ports to welcome ships back after the industry shutdown and won the Seatrade Port of the Year Award in 2020. The views back to the shore give a nice overview of picturesque Icy Strait Point.
In 2020, the newest (second) Megaship Dock will add more passenger capacity. For season 2020, Hoonah had booked 192 ship calls with projected ~408,000 passengers. The Icy Strait Point and Nature Trail is a paved path that starts right beside the port and wraps around the coastline to the west. It’s an excellent spot to catch some stunning views and get a glimpse of the local wildlife.
Whales flock from Hawai’i to Point Adolphus in the summertime to enjoy the bountiful food in the area. There are so many humpback whales here that all of the tour guides at Icy Strait Point guarantee that you’ll see at least one when you take the tour. One of the most popular restaurants for lunch is The Cookhouse Restaurant. It’s the first eatery you’ll find along the seawalk, just past the cute residences. Outdoor seating is abundant though if weather is not cooperating, you can enjoy your fish and chips indoors.
Also, take a look at this official port map, which you can download for free, as it’s a PDF. Our research covered several towns known for their charm, such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, which were no-brainers for our itinerary. Among the often visiting cruise companies are Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, RSSC-Regent, Royal Caribbean International. The zip-line has length 1620 m (5330 ft), ranking it the world's longest. After the launch, passengers quickly accelerate to up to 60 mph (97 kph) soaring 300 ft (100 m) above the rainforest.
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In the center of the port district, don’t miss a brief walk through the Icy Strait Point Historical Cannery Museum. The museum, housed in the restored Hoonah Packing Company of 1912, will teach you all about the salmon industry’s long-standing history in the area. Also, be aware of your surroundings to ensure that you don’t run straight into a bear when you’re in the woods! They’re pretty used to the tourists, and they won’t attack unless you provoke them, so just watch out and ensure that you make plenty of noise as you walk. While you’re walking, keep an eye out for whales off the coast, deer in the brush, and eagles and other birds high in the trees. If you stomach starts to growl, there are several restaurants in Icy Strait Point.
They are perfect for walking (and a bit of swimming in summer) and beachcombing. For a more strenuous hike, the surrounding area offers over 190 acres of trails. Keep in mind that this island is home to bears – lots of them!
It is absolutely worth the experience to walk at least one way to town. The town is small, so it won’t take too much time to visit, but it is worth the effort. Icy Strait Point is an amazing place to view Alaskan wildlife, especially humpback whales. You’ll have a chance to do everything from soft adventure like a nature walk to the adrenaline-pumping ZipRider high above the treetops. In the interactive tour, she will teach you how to cut and prepare fresh, locally-caught salmon and halibut while telling you stories about the local wildlife and cuisine.
The new Wilderness Landing Pier provides additional beach and forest leisure areas for tourists. We all love it, so we did it in three out of our seven cruise ports. We kayaked in the extremely calm waters in Hoonah right off Port Frederick/ Icy Strait. You will see eagles and perhaps humpback or orca whales and Dall’s porpoises.
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