If you’re visiting Icy Strait Point, Alaska on a cruise, you’re in luck. Icy Strait Point is a favorite Alaskan cruise port for many cruise travelers!
Tucked into an inlet in Southeast Alaska, many cruises departing from Seattle, Seward, or Sitka stop at this beautiful, native-owned port.
In this post, I’ll share the best things to do near Icy Strait Point on a cruise, including shore excursions as well as inexpensive or free activities. You’ll also learn everything you need to know about visiting the Icy Strait Point cruise port for the day and get answers to commonly asked questions.
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Alaska Cruise Port Guides
Icy Strait Point Port
Icy Strait Point is a privately owned port near the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island in Alaska. It is a unique port because it is operated by the Huna Totem Corporation, a company owned by local natives from the Tlingit tribe to provide job opportunities for their people.
Near the two cruise ship berths is the Hoonah Packing Company building. This former fish cannery, which was built in 1912, has been renovated for cruisers. Inside you’ll find shops, restaurants, and a free museum.
Related: What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise (clothing, gear & essentials)
What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Icy Strait Point Cruise Port
Currency
Although close to Canada, Icy Strait Point is located in Alaska (USA). The official currency is the USD (United States Dollar).
Businesses in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah will accept cash, credit, and debit cards.
Language
In this Native Alaskan-owned port, the official language is English. However, you might be lucky enough to hear the unique Tlingit language being spoken among locals.
Time Zone
90% of Alaska (including Icy Strait Point) lies within the Alaska Time Zone. The Alaska Time Zone is one hour behind Pacific Time and four hours behind the Eastern Time Zone.
Weather
During the Alaska cruise season, the high temperatures in Icy Strait Point range from the low 50s to the mid-60s. It’s one of the less rainy Alaskan ports, with an average of 67 inches of rain per year.
If you are hoping to avoid the rain, the best time to travel to Icy Strait Point would be in May or June.
Tip: When considering what to wear on your Alaska cruise, it’s a good idea to dress in layers. Mornings will start off cool, but the weather can warm up significantly later in the day.
Getting Around Icy Strait Point
There are two floating berths at Icy Strait Point, “Wilderness Landing” and “Ocean Landing.” A free transporter gondola is available to take you the .5 mile (15-minute walk) between the two port sites.
The Adventure Center, where you can purchase or check-in for excursions is located close to the Ocean Landing berth.
The Ocean Landing berth is closer to the Hoonah Packing Company Building. It is a short walk from the berth on a beach trail or boardwalk. Inside the restored cannery, you’ll find souvenir shops and a free museum. This port was awarded “Port of the Year” in 2020 by the SeaTrade Cruise Awards.
On Foot
Icy Strait Point is very walking-friendly. At the Icy Strait Point port you’ll also find restaurants, nature trails, kayaking, and a beach where you can often spot whales, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Many cruisers enjoy heading to the nearby town of Hoonah, a scenic 1.5-mile walk from the port.
Public Transit
For $3 (one-way) or $5 (round trip), there is a shuttle that travels between the cruise port and Hoonah.
There isn’t ridesharing or taxis available here, so your options are limited to riding a shuttle bus or walking.
17 of the Best Icy Strait Point Shore Excursions
There is a good variety of excursions available in this port. Whether you are looking for adventure, great seafood, or want to learn more about Alaska Native History, here are some of the best Icy Strait Point Shore Excursions.
1. Ride a Gondola to the top of Sky Peak
Close to the WIlderness Landing Berth is the starting point for the SkyGlider Gondola. A 7-minute window-walled gondola ride will give you spectacular views of both Glacier Bay and Tongass National Forest.
The summit is more than a quarter mile above sea level. You can take pictures from viewpoints or hike the 1-mile Hidden Lake Loop Trail. Your SkyGlider pass is good all day, so you can ride up and down at your leisure. There are great chances to spot wildlife here, including Sitka Black Tailed Deer, bald eagles, and whales.
2. Fly Past the Treetops on the Longest ZipRider in the U.S.
Depending on your excursion, you will either take a 45-minute bus ride (including a tour of Hoonah) or a 7-minute gondola ride to the top of Sky Peak Mountain. From this 1350-foot summit, riders are strapped to a zipline for an exhilarating 1-mile, 90-second zipline ride.
This ZipRider is the longest in the U.S. and the world’s largest ziprider with a length of 5,330 feet and an elevation change from 1350 feet to sea level.
3. Shop for Native-Crafted Souvenirs
There are 12 Alaska Native-owned shops in the Cannery Complex. Shopping here is a wonderful way to get authentic Alaskan souvenirs while giving back to the community.
Some of my favorite Alaska souvenirs include: Fireweed and Salmonberry jam, Ulu knives, hand-carved jewelry, and Devil’s Club Ointment.
4. Learn about the History of Salmon Canning
The Hoonah Packing Company building (cruise center) has a free museum on-site. You can learn about the history of the nearby town of Hoonah and the cannery turned destination port.
5. Tour the Town of Hoonah
Hoonah is the largest Tlingit village in Alaska. The path to Hoonah is to the right of the Ocean Landing Port. This flat 1.5-mile scenic walk into town will take you along the ocean and past Old Bear Clan Cemetery.
Don’t expect a thriving metropolis here. Instead, you will find a local community with less than 1000 residents. It is a great chance to see an authentic small Alaskan town, however, it won’t take you long to see all there is to see.
Related: What to Wear on an Alaska Cruise
6. Grill and Chill “In Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen”
If you love grilling and seafood, this excursion is for you! Alaska’s WIldest Kitchen is a hands-on tasting excursion featuring local seafood.
Hosted by an Alaska fisherwoman and wilderness chef, you’ll learn about local fishing, preserving, and cooking techniques. You’ll get to see an expert filleting demo and even grill your own catch of the day on an alder-wood grill.
The tasting menu might include fresh and canned salmon and grilled halibut. You’ll get to take home printed recipe cards so you can replicate your tasty experience back home.
7. Discover the Birds of Hoonah
Hoonah is home to a huge variety of birds because of its location near both a temperate rainforest and the ocean. This excursion will take you on trails to see a bald eagle’s nest, seabirds including gulls, puffins, and cormorants, shorebirds including sparrows, flycatchers, kinglets, swallows, hummingbirds chickadees, and more!
Your excursion is led by a local guide that will help you identify birds, as provides rain jackets, spotting scopes, and binoculars.
8. Search for Brown Bears on the Spasski River
Chichagof Island is home to 3,500 coastal brown bears, which is almost two bears per square mile. On this excursion you’ll take a short bus ride to Spasski River, and then walk 800 feet along an elevated boardwalk where you can hopefully spot one of these mighty creatures!
There are no bear guarantees, however chances are good that you will spot some wildlife during this excursion.
9. Explore Back Roads on a Jeep Tour
You can experience the forest and mountain trails in Hoonah with a 2.5-hour trip guided Jeep tour. A tour guide leads this excursion which takes you adventuring along old logging roads.
You’ll have the chance to learn about local history and culture from your guide, see spectacular views, and spy local wildlife like brown bears, Sitka deer, and eagles.
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10. Learn about Tlingit Culture and Paddle a Tlingit Canoe
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn the history of the Tlingit people from a Tlingit guide. Departing from the Adventure Center, you’ll travel through Icy Straits in a traditional dugout canoe.
The guides will share oral history, storytelling, and songs of the Tlingit people. You also might see whales, sea otters, Dall porpoises, and other marine animals and birds as you glide through the ocean waters. This is a great option for those curious about Alaska Natives and their culture.
11. Guaranteed Whale Watching Icy Strait Point
Hoonah is located right around the corner from Point Adolphus, which is a premier whale-watching destination. On this excursion, you’ll board a whale-watching boat and view the beautiful scenery and marine life including seals, sea lions, sea otters, and, very likely, Orcas and/or Humpback whales.
Unlike many other whale excursions in Alaska, you are guaranteed to see a whale or you will receive a cash refund.
12. Feast on Fish at The Fisherman’s Daughter Restaurant
If you choose to venture into Hoonah, stop by this local favorite for some of the best salmon tacos you’ll ever eat.
This is a casual eating establishment, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a great place to chat with locals while you enjoy delicious food.
13. Cast a fly or Deep Sea Fish
Icy Strait Point has both stream and deep sea fishing excursions available. Halibut and trout can be caught all summer season in Hoonah. However, the more elusive Silver and Pink salmon run the rivers sporadically starting in July through September.
Some excursions have a limited amount of fly fishing gear, so if you have your own rod to bring, do it! Fish caught in streams on these excursions are catch-and-release only. However, having caught hundreds of river salmon throughout my life, I can guarantee that the experience of catching a feisty river salmon is exhilaratingly worth it!
If you catch a halibut on a fishing boat, you can pay to have the fish processed and shipped to your home.
14. Feast on Dungeness at The Crab House Restaurant
The Crab House restaurant is located at the Hoonah Packing Company building, right near the Ocean Landing berth. The Dungeness crab is fresh and steamed to perfection. While you’re there watch for whales while you try reindeer chili and a Crabby Bloody Mary.
15. Learn about Huna Tlingit’s at the Yaakw Kihidi Cultural Center
Located in the town of Hoonah, this cultural center will give you a glimpse into the history and culture of the Huna Tlingit people. There is a show, several exhibits, and even a totem carving station where you can learn about this sacred carving from a local Elder.
Plan for about an hour at the cultural center (including the show).
16. Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant
The Duck Point Smokehouse is another restaurant located near the port with delicious local delicacies and a stunning ocean view.
Try the salmon chowder, halibut sandwich, salmon dip, and sangria made with local berries. Seating is limited, so if there are two cruise ships in port, expect a longer wait.
17. Try Local Beer at Icy Strait Brewing
If you enjoy craft beer, this is a fun stop just a shuttle ride away from the port. The outside deck is near a bald eagle’s nest so while you try a sampler flat, you can do some bird (and possibly whale) watching!
Icy Strait Brewing also has food available to order. Grab delicious pizza or salmon cakes to go along with your pint.
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Icy Straight Point Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best time of year to visit Icy Strait Point?
During the Alaska cruise season (May-September) Icy Strait Point has temperatures ranging from in the mid-50s to the mid-60s (Fahrenheit).
However, if you are looking for the warmest temperatures and the least amount of rainfall, the best time to visit Icy Strait Point is June, July, or August.
How far is downtown from the cruise port?
The Hoonah Packing Company building (with shops, restaurants, and a museum) is a little less than a 20-minute walk from the Wilderness Landing Cruise Ship Dock. If you use the free transporter gondola, you can make the walk/ride to the cannery building in about 11 minutes.
If your cruise ship is docked at the Ocean Landing Cruise Ship Dock, it is about a 7-minute walk to the cannery/Hoonah Packing Company building.
The town of Hoonah is a 1.5-mile walk or 5-minute shuttle bus ride from the Hoonah Packing Company building.
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Final Thoughts On Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Cruise Port
Icy Strait Point is a unique Alaskan port with many adventurous and culturally rich excursion opportunities. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to interact with and support the local Tlingit tribe that runs this port.
Have you been to Icy Strait Point on a cruise? Please let me know what you enjoyed most in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Stephanie
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