Things to Do in Icy Strait Point on a Cruise

Quick Take

Icy Strait Point is my favorite kind of Alaska port because it feels nothing like a port. There is no town waiting behind the pier, no chain shops, no crowds spilling off six mega-ships at once. You step off the ship into a restored 1912 salmon cannery owned and run by the Huna Tlingit people, and the whole place is theirs.

If you only have time for one thing here, make it whale watching. The waters off Point Adolphus are some of the richest humpback feeding grounds in Southeast Alaska, and sightings on the boat tours are close to guaranteed in summer. If you have money to burn and love a thrill, the ZipRider is the world's largest zipline and worth every dollar. Everything else you can enjoy on foot for free.

I put together a full video walking through the pier, the gondolas, and the excursions so you can see the layout before you go. Watch it above, then read on for prices and my take on what is worth booking.

Whale Watching in Point Adolphus Waters

This is the reason many cruisers pick an itinerary with Icy Strait Point at all. The nutrient-rich water where Icy Strait meets Point Adolphus draws humpback whales all summer, from around May into September. Operators here are so confident that many offer a full refund or a free repeat trip if you do not see a whale.

Icy Strait Point runs the whale and marine mammal cruises on comfortable boats with heated cabins, big windows, and outdoor decks. Expect to pay roughly $140 to $190 per person for the standard whale watching tour, depending on the boat and the length. Book the ship's version or the port's own version rather than trying to arrange something in Hoonah on your own, since the pier tours are timed to your ship.

Bring layers and a windproof jacket even on a sunny day. The boat moves, the water is cold, and you will want to stand outside when a humpback breaches close to the rail.

The ZipRider Zipline

The ZipRider is the headline attraction and holds the title of the largest zipline in the world. Six riders launch side by side from a tower up the mountain and drop about 1,300 vertical feet over a run of more than 5,300 feet, hitting speeds above 60 miles per hour above the forest canopy. It is over in about 90 seconds, and people either love it or swear off it for life.

Walk-up pricing runs around $199 per person, and booking through your cruise line usually lands somewhere in the $150 to $250 range depending on the ship. The price includes the ride up the mountain, so you are not paying twice.

My take: if heights make you queasy, skip it and spend that money on whale watching instead. If you are the person who films everything and grins the whole way down, this is a bucket-list ride you cannot do anywhere else.

The Gondolas: Free Transporter vs. Paid Skyglider

Icy Strait Point has two gondola systems and people mix them up constantly, so let me clear it up. The green Transporter Gondola is free and carries you between the main Wilderness Landing area and the Adventure Center up top, where the ZipRider check-in sits. Ride it just for the views if you want, no ticket required.

The red Skyglider Gondola is the paid one. It climbs the mountain from Wilderness Landing for a bigger vista over Icy Strait and the surrounding peaks, and it runs around $50 per person for unlimited rides. It is also bundled into the ZipRider price, so if you book the zipline you get the Skyglider anyway.

If you are on a budget, ride the free Transporter for the scenery and save the Skyglider fee. The view from the top of the green gondola is already excellent.

Hoonah and Huna Tlingit Culture

What makes this port different is that it is Alaska Native owned and operated through the Huna Totem Corporation. The Huna Tlingit trace their home to what is now Glacier Bay, which their ancestors left in the 1700s as advancing glaciers pushed them to Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in Alaska today.

You can watch traditional dance and storytelling at the tribal dance performances near the cannery, and the cultural programs are led by community members rather than outside performers. It is one of the more authentic cultural experiences you will find on an Alaska cruise, and I always tell clients to catch a performance if the timing works with their ship's schedule.

There are also guided tours into Hoonah itself, a short ride from the pier, where you get a feel for a real Southeast Alaska town rather than a cruise-built one. If you want to understand where you actually are, this is worth the hour.

The Cannery Museum and Shops

The restored 1912 cannery is the heart of the point and it is free to wander. Inside you will find a small museum with original packing-line machinery, photos, and the story of how salmon shaped this community. It takes maybe 20 to 30 minutes and gives real context to everything around you.

The shops here lean toward local rather than mass-produced. You will see Tlingit jewelry, warm Alaska apparel, and canned sockeye salmon packed nearby. I would rather buy something made here than a magnet stamped in a factory somewhere else, so this is where I do my Alaska souvenir shopping.

Bear Searches and Wilderness Tours

Chichagof Island holds one of the densest coastal brown bear populations in the world, and the Spasski River Valley Wildlife and Bear Search tour takes you into that habitat with a guide. Sightings are never guaranteed with wild bears, so manage your expectations, but the drive and the forest walk are lovely even on a slow bear day.

Expect to pay in the ballpark of $90 to $150 per person for the wildlife and bear search, depending on the operator and length. If bears are the whole reason you came to Alaska, know that other ports like Ketchikan and Juneau offer stronger odds. Here I treat a bear as a bonus on top of the scenery.

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What to Skip at Icy Strait Point

Skip the Skyglider if you already booked the ZipRider, since it comes bundled and you would be paying twice. Skip it too if you are only after the view, because the free Transporter Gondola delivers plenty.

I would also skip trying to organize your own transport into Hoonah to save a few dollars. Cabs are limited, the town is small, and you risk cutting your return close to all-aboard. The port tours are timed to your ship for a reason. And if you get seasick easily, be cautious about booking both a whale watch and a Zodiac tour in the same short port day.

If you would rather book your shore excursions on your own, I compare options and book most of my independent tours through Viator, which shows real traveler reviews and free cancellation on most tours. (Heads up: that is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do cruise ships stay in Icy Strait Point?
Most ships give you roughly eight to nine hours, which is enough for one big excursion plus time to explore the cannery and shops on foot. Check your ship's exact schedule since times vary.

Is there a town to walk to from the pier?
Not really. The point itself is the destination, with the cannery, shops, restaurants, and gondolas all right there. Hoonah is a short ride away and you reach it on a guided tour rather than a quick walk.

Do I need to book excursions in advance?
For whale watching and the ZipRider, yes. These sell out on busy sailing days, and booking ahead locks in your spot and your time slot. The free stuff like the cannery and Transporter Gondola needs no booking.

Is Icy Strait Point tender or dock?
Most large ships now dock at the pier here, so you walk right off. A few smaller ships may still tender, so confirm with your line if that matters to you.

Can I do Icy Strait Point on a budget?
Absolutely. The cannery museum, the shops, the Transporter Gondola, the cultural dance performances, and the walking trails are free or very low cost. You can have a full, satisfying day without booking a single paid excursion.

Will I definitely see whales?
Nothing in nature is guaranteed, but the odds here are among the best in Alaska, and many operators refund you or offer a free repeat trip if no whale shows. Summer months give the strongest sightings.

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Final Thoughts

Icy Strait Point rewards travelers who slow down. You do not need to spend a fortune to have a great day, and the parts that cost nothing, from the cannery to the culture to the gondola views, are some of the most memorable. If you add one paid tour, make it the whale watching.

Every itinerary and budget is different, so match the day to what excites you. If you love a thrill, the ZipRider is unforgettable. If you came for wildlife and culture, you are already in the right place.

More cruise reads:

• Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)
• Best Juneau Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)
• Best Ketchikan Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)
• Best Sitka Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)
• Best Skagway Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)
• Best Victoria BC Cruise Excursions (and What to Skip)