Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. Paste as plain text instead, . Icy Strait Point. After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, you'll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. What if the weather is bad? Lower lift line. There are a few great reasons! Longest Zip Line, Icy Strait Point, Alaska. Despite it being last on the list, I personally love this excursion as it offers the opportunity to both get up in the air and burn off some of those ship calories youve been consuming (yes, they count!). The restored cannery turned museum shop offers fine jewelry, warm fashions, canned sockeye salmon, and plenty more. We bought the "unlimited ride" for $50 per person, to find out there was nothing to do at the top unless you are taking the zip line down. Icy Strait Point offers some of the best opportunities for whale watching on your Alaskan cruise, so don't miss the Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise here! Icy Strait Point is home to a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum. Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. Can you help. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. Im grateful Johan allowed me to paint him in his regalia as the dance was incredibly inspiring and definitely worth the short walk through the shops. And, we do offer discounts for groups of 4 or more on some of the tours! Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. Add in the communication he has with other captains on the other boats, and it's a perfect whale finding system! {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. . I would like to know if the zodiac boats and whale watching boats travel in the same waters? Icy Strait Point Alaska Cruise Port: An Honest Review Sky Glider - Icy Strait Point, AK - Lift Blog Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait in particular, is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Icy Strait Point Shore Excursions - Celebrity Cruises While biking and hiking in Alaskas temperate rainforest is certainly cool, hands down the best part is exploring the beach in this trio of experiences; keep your eyes peeled for sea urchin shells and animal prints, which are commonly found on the beaches of Southeast Alaska. Disney, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Alaska-Sized Adventure Go to site . Enjoy a hot beverage before returning to your ship or exploring the cannery and nature trail at Icy Strait Point. By In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company built the first cannery in the area, and it has become quite a tourist attraction since then. Start here. Availability: This tour is only available August-September. Wildlife & Bear Search | Icy Strait Point - Icy Strait Point Chichagoff Island is home to more brown bears than humans, its a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore. As tours can be enhanced or spoiled by the guide, we were unlucky. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. Great Value. Among the huge number of excursions you can book in Juneau - and even on this list of nine - it's hard to choose the best one. Her Husband Died in a Horrific Cruise Zip-line Accident, Now She is If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. About Us | Icy Strait Point - Icy Strait Point Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska - Celebrity Cruises Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Will I make the __:__ tour? If you have already received tickets, please call the local tour operator phone number listed on your tickets for tour-specific questions as they will be the best resource to answer unique questions. How is the Halibut shipped home for oyu. Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. We care about our beautiful state and want to show it off in a genuine way while protecting and preserving the land and sea at the same time. We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. Come experience the birds and nature of Chichagof Island, near Icy Strait Point! The 9 Best Sitka Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Your personal view of the whales is not repaced with drones; just supplemented! This is your chance to set sail and travel the scenic shorelines of Icy Strait Point keeping watch for bears, deer, blue herons, puffins and more. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! Icy Strait Point was a nice place to spend a few hours. Another view of tower 5. In fact, our captains, naturalists and guides live to love whales, so it pleases them to no end to leave you wide-eyed on whales! As a souvenir, youll get recipe cards so you can try to prepare these meals once you return home. Zip-lining is so in right now! We are a quick 20 minute flight from Juneau, Alaska. Least Favorite Port but Still Pretty Cool, Rainy and cold the day we visited, which changed our excursion plans from kayaking to walking from port to town. RSSC-Regent, Royal Caribbean International. Juneau Glacier Excursion with the Blue Bus Glacier Express 2023 - Viator Nestled among those trinket shops you will find authentic local art, jewelry, and even hand-carved headdresses such as the one Johan is wearing here. Indulge in fresh seafood and native veggies like beach asparagus and seaweed to fuel up for stops in Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, Seward, and of course the marvelous Hubbard Glacier. The biggest halibut on record was caught inside Icy Strait! Point Adolphus, a one-hour boat ride away from Icy Strait Point, is the prime site to catch a view of humpback whales. Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world at 1-2 brown bears per square mile, making it a great destination for bear watching from Icy Strait Point. The boat was much smaller than the typical whale watching boats (6 people!) Join us for the best show in town, a 3-hour whale watching excursion (includes transportation time and approx 2.5 hours on the water) which begins when you board the bus that departs from the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub, just a short 5-minute walk from your cruise ship. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure in Juneau 2023 - Viator On May 18th we came into port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. Dry too. We had our two grandsons with us, ages 10 & 12. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! With that in mind, prepare for the worst and hope for the best! If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Have you seen my other Alaska cruise resources? Or that its the largest in the world kind of like Alaska is the largest state? Journey from Icy Strait Point into the wilds of Chichagof Island as you explore the Spasski River Valley in search of local wildlife. The Tlingit community has invested a great deal of money, time, and energy to convert this historic fishing village into a respite for cruisers who wish to learn more about the Indigenous people, their land, and their fascinating culture. The area near Icy Strait Point, with its proximity to Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay, is home to one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska and the whale watching is second to none. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Things To Do In Hoonah / Icy Strait. Continue on from the post above for some pictures from it and more in the area. To see a bear up close and in the wild, no better then that. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Our small group experiences offer a unique and thrilling memory of the pristine natural beauty around Icy Strait, Alaska. Currently booked for shore excursions, I have Yukon Adventure & White Pass . While that doesnt necessarily factor into the way this list is ranked, it means I always include 1-2 Alaska cruise excursions that are more active for those who are physically able. We too the free shuttle back into the port area and walked through the old cannery, the museum and gift shops, which were all cool. Just off the dock where our Princess ship landed, is the ski lift- type red gondola to the zipline, the free green gondola to the bar of the zipline and cannery. Moreover, our small group tours are purposely smaller than those offered by the cruise ship, giving you a more intimate experience, at a better rate, while visiting Hoonah near Icy Strait Point. We receive a constant stream of updates on the cruise ships timetables. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. On this visitI did a whale watching excursion. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . Visiting in September of 2023. Hoonah is just a stones throw from Icy Strait so no time is wasted getting to the fishing grounds and the hooks down! Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Ships Deck Plans . Here's our itinerary: 11 NIGHT ALASKA GLACIERS CRUISE Vancouver , British Columbia | Sail Away 5 PM Sea Day Sea Day Icy Strait Point , Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM Sitka , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM Cruising Hubbard Glacier , Alaska Juneau , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM Skagway , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour, 212 Admiral Way Ste. They have an indoor shopping mall, a salmon cannery museum and a restaurant all under one roof. Icy Strait Point, Alaska While Celebrity Cruises doesn't sail directly to Glacier Bay, there are flightseeing excursions available from Icy Strait Point . My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. But I feel confident that this list is both impartial but also informed by my expert advice. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. If you love the idea of stretching your legs a bit more than you can on the boat, this is a great excursion it only ranks low on the list because of few companies (okay, one) offering it in 2023. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? My wife does want to do an excursion with sled dogs but we don't know if we should do that in Juneau or Skagway. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that . View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. We decided to switch from Jayleen's Alaska in Juneau to another small boat tour group that I heard good things about, Glacier Wind Charters in Icy Strait Point. Pasted as rich text. Hoonah 5. Whale Watching in Juneau or Icy Strait Point - Royal Caribbean Blog - More time on the water! Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. This is a 90-minute excursion that includes an obstacle course dubbed the Adventure Park, made up of a log bridge, climbing planks, fishermens net, and more. We chose to book Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search when it was on sale last weekend! At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. Hi Everyone! Wind along back roads in search of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer, and enjoy spectacular views of the natural beauty that surrounds you along the way. We currently offer excursions for saltwater fishing, whale watching and marine nature tours in the waters of Icy Strait, long renowned for it's abundance of marine wildlife and excellent . Can multiple families book a tour and be together? Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Everything was close together and easy. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. We were left doubting her sincerity and actually had the best interaction with the armed woman, accompanying us for protection, who lives in Hoonah. Duration: 2.25 hours Price: $145 per person View Details Juneau Musher's Camp & Sled Dog Discovery Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay vs. Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier Alaska-Sized Adventure With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! Posted November 23, 2021. Icy Strait Small Group Shore Excursion: We're going on a bear hunt Visited from our cruise ship. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. To increase your chances, you need to get off the big boat, get on two feet, and get out in the Alaska wild. Along the rugged coastline, you can spot humpback whales, brown bears, otters, seals, eagles. CHECK SHORE EXCURSIONS IN Icy Strait Point, Alaska, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Alaska Icy Strait Point Tribe Local Performance, Cuisine Dungeness Crab, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, One of the Many Historic Cannery Buildings, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " Was thinking the adventure park and zipline would be fun but cant find it. If on a boat tour you will have to walk approx 100 yards from the van to the boat. Expect guaranteed whale sightings in these nutrient-rich waters during the summer. Shore Excursions Group takes you on a journey in the Icy Strait to see the bears, fish, bald eagles, and whales that call Icy Strait home. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. View below tower 6. Duration: Approximately 2 hours Minimum Age: 10 years old Restrictions: Guests must not weigh more than 250 pounds. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: Your email address will not be published. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. View Health & Safety requirements. T4. Whether you are looking for a scenic kayaking, adventurous or eating and drinking shore excursion, there's no better site to book your shore tour with than Shore Excursions Group. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. Nicolas LaBarre We are committed to providing guests with the best customer service in the industry! Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. This Icy Strait Point excursion is a good value and widely offered, which is why it ranks so highly on my list for 2023 Alaska cruises. The Best Alaska Shore Excursions | Holland America Line She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. We only have 4 port days! tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! For all other questions, please email [emailprotected] or call 1-888-586-8489, In order to check the status of your reservation request, please use the following link: alaskashoreexcursions.com/order-status. Our dedicated staff (85% of which call Hoonah home) is committed to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for every guest that is infused with our local Native culture and hospitality. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. so we had a more personalized experience. Here is my my last stop in ISP, September 2018: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=83835. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. Tips for Finding the Perfect Wheelchair Accessible Alaska Cruise First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. On this 3.5-hour charter, youll board a locally-operated boat and head out onto the waters of Icy Strait. Only Seabourn offers this one. Icy Strait Shore Excursions & Port Tours | ShoreTrips Welcome to Hoonah, AK. Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. . Expand Your Vacation. Located about 35 miles west of Juneau, this area offers some great nature and adventure opportunities as well as rich Tlingit heritage. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Icy Strait Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search Tour 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. We've analyzed this ship's atmosphere, facilities, activities, cabins, cuisine and service, based on ratings from U.S. News & World Report and other expert sources. Carnival Dive-In Movies March 2023 Prof. Cruise The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. Your Kayak experience will take you into the peaceful waters of Port Frederick. The old cannery is now home to a museum, restaurants, and locally owned arts and crafts shops. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Notes: Guests must be able to walk without assistance. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point?