Top Tips for Exploring Icy Strait Point on a Cruise Stop
Icy Strait Point, located near the town of Hoonah in Alaska, is a unique and culturally rich cruise destination. Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Whales regularly cruise by just offshore and Chichagoff Island has the highest density of grizzly bears of anywhere in Alaska. Renowned for its authentic Alaskan experiences, it offers a blend of native Tlingit culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the restored 1912 cannery, enjoy traditional Tlingit dance performances, and learn about local history. The area is also famous for its wildlife viewing opportunities, including whale watching, bear spotting, and bird watching. Adventure seekers can take part in zip-lining, kayaking, and hiking through lush forests. Icy Strait Point provides a memorable and immersive Alaskan experience for cruise passengers. So here are some top tips for exploring Icy Strait Point on a cruise.
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Before you go on your cruise
If you’re wanting to do some excursions while in Icy Strait Point, you’ll want to plan ahead. Most tours will sell out quickly, especially in the middle of the summer, which is when the cruises are in Alaska. With only one day in Icy Strait Point, it’s important to plan for your day in Icy Strait Point ahead of time, especially if you’re looking to do some of the popular excursions like whale watching or searching for brown bears. Here are some of the top excursions in Icy Strait Point:
Things to Pack for Alaska Cruise
Packing for an Alaskan cruise can be tricky, because you’ll be traveling in the summer which means warmer, but there is still a chance for clouds or even rain. Which means you’ll want to pack layers.
The day we arrived in Icy Strait Point, I dressed like it was going to be 50º, with long socks, long pants, a couple top layers and a beanie, and I was way overdressed! So while I suggest packing layers, make sure it is easy to take them off or on.
Here are some tips for things to pack for an Alaskan cruise:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Waterproof hiking shoes or boots
- Long pants
- Long sleeve top
- Rain jacket
- Hat or beanie
- Gloves – just in case
- Camera
- Binoculars
Arriving and Disembarking in Icy Strait Point
When arriving into Icy Strait Point, there is now a dock for the cruise ship to dock to, the Hoonah Cruise ship dock. Right when you get off the ship, you’ll have a good chance of seeing bald eagles, as there is a nest right there at the dock. Icy strait point is not a big area, so it’s easy to get around. Once you exit the cruise ship, you’ll by near the visitors center, called the Adventure Center. This is where you’re most likely be joining the excursions if you’re doing one. Take a look at the Icy Strait Point port map, you can download it for easier access.

Getting to Hoonah
Hoonah is 1.6 miles away, about a 30 minute walk, along the coastline. There is a shuttle you can take for $5/person, which takes about 5 minutes. If you are doing excursions, you don’t need to worry about transportation, as they will take care of that.
Tips for Exploring Icy Strait Point on a Cruise
- The summer in Alaska is traditionally warm, but sometimes it can be a little unpredictable. It’s smart to pack layers for your trip to Alaska, plus a rain jacket. In the summer, the temperature is usually 50-60º but can get up to 70º.
- Make sure to bring and wear lots of layers. Depending on your excursion, you’ll want to have extra layers, as the weather is unpredictable and being on the water makes it even colder.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Whether you’re doing an excursion or not, you’ll want to have comfortable walking shoes. There can be lots of walking around the port. And If you are hiking, the terrain will be uneven.
- Book your excursion ahead of time. For the best experience in Icy Strait Point, we recommend doing an excursion, and you’ll want to make sure you plan in advance, as the tours will sell out.
- Icy Strait Point is a small cruise port, there is no ride-share services like Uber or Lyft. You will have to walk or take the shuttle if you want to go to Hoonah from the cruise port.
- If you are looking for true Alaskan souvenirs, Icy Strait Point is the place to get them, as ISP has shops that are all 100% owned by Alaskans.
Icy Strait Point Attractions
Icy Strait Point cruise port has a lot of cool attractions to do that don’t include booking a tour like the ZipRider, cultural exhibits, and nature trails.
The ZipRider at Icy Strait Point is one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world, offering a thrilling adventure for visitors, spanning over 5330 feet and reaching speeds up to 60mph.
There are two gondolas at ISP, the transporter gondola is free and goes from the adventure center to the wilderness landing. After taking the transporter gondola, you can then take the sky glider gondola to the top, for $45/person. At the top, is the Sky Peak, which has a one mile trail hike, some viewpoints, a taco truck and beer garden. This is also where the ZipRider will take off from if you’re riding that.
The Hoonah Packing Company Cannery Museum is a restored 1912 cannery. In the cannery you can get a glimpse into the region’s fishing and canning history. In the museum you can find some interactive exhibits and displays to show the way of life there.
Icy Strait Point also has tons of nature trails and hikes that you can do if you feel like exploring the cruise port on your own.
Top Icy Strait Point Excursions
Whale watching
Icy Strait Point is renowned for its whale-watching opportunities. Tours often spot humpback whales, orcas, and other marine wildlife. The rich waters around Icy Strait are one of the best places in Alaska to see whales up close. If you don’t want to do a whale-watching tour, you might even be able to see them from the beach.

Our Favorite Whale Watching Tour
We loved our whale watching tour with Icy Strait Whale Adventures. Not only did we see plenty of whales and other wildlife, the crew was incredible! We had such a fun day out on the water with them!
Bear hunt
Take a 3 hour tour on the lookout for grizzly bears. Chichagof Island is famous for having one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world, so the chance of seeing one or multiple bears is great!
Kayaking Tour
Explore the waters around Icy Strait Point by kayak or canoe. These excursions offer a peaceful way to enjoy the natural beauty and potentially spot wildlife. Paddling through calm waters with the chance to see seals, sea otters, and other marine life.
ATV/off-roading tour
For those seeking adventure, ATV and off-road tours offer a rugged way to explore the terrain around Icy Strait Point. The Guided ATV tours provide exciting rides through forests and along the coastline, with chances to see wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Charter fishing
You’ll drive through the Alaska Native Tlingit village of Hoonah to a remote river to catch some fish. Not only will you be searching for fish, but the chance to see other wildlife is likely.
Icy Strait Point Restaurants
Crab House – this is the place if you want seafood! They have Alaska King, Snow, and Dungeness crab. If you’re there when the Dungeness crab is in season, this is the freshest crab you’ll ever find!

Duck Point Smokehouse – right near the cruise ship dock and the adventure center, the smokehouse overlooks the beach of Icy strait point. You can get burgers, pizza, salmon or bar snacks here.
The Cook House – waterfront dining plus seafood options like the fish and chips or alaskan salmon blt sliders. If you’re looking for non-seafood, try the Alaska blue burgers.
Lil Gens donuts – a free-standing donut hut in the middle of the cannery with fresh hot mini-donuts.
Mug up coffee – located right at the adventure center with coffee, chai or hot chocolate.
Icy Strait Point on a Cruise
Icy Strait Point is an underrated cruise port in own opinion. We think there is plenty to do (free or paid), while also still having the authentic Alaskan feel. There is plenty of tours to keep you busy, plus plenty of wildlife in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah that it’s worth it! If you’re exploring Icy Strait Point on a cruise, we think this will be a helpful guide!
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