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. Lower lift line. Hoonah 5. Icy Strait Point is a new cruise port option with new dock, new facilities, and great signage for the limited options here in the land of the Hoonah Tlingit people. There are even resident bald eagles that perch on the ships to fish. Only Seabourn offers this one. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! As a tourist, you have a lot to do at Icy Strait, thanks to Alaskas rich history, wildlife, and native, The Icy Strait Point in Alaska is a hub for tourists because of the various activities that they can be a part of during their tours. My wife and I used them and when we go back we'll use them again.. You will enjoy an hour of flightseeing over this massive wilderness area outside of Ketchikan, accompanied by your expert pilot guide. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. Youll descend from an elevation of 1,330 feet back to sea level along those six zips at times you may be going as fast as 60 miles per hour and at heights of 300 feet above the ground! My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. So I decided to use that knowledge to come up with a list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions. 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 . This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. We have guests that book up to a year in advance as our tours typically sell out well before their departure date. There may be 3rd party options you can explore directly. Date of experience: September 2017. Cunard rolled out the winter 2025 cruise schedules for its three ships, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, plus the new-build Queen Anne, set to debut . This Alaska cruise excursion might not be for everyone, but if you love wildlife (and especially birding) this widely-offered excursion might be the one for you in Icy Strait Point. Beautiful overview with a 1- mile hiking trail loop at the top that required groups of at least 10 and a guide with a gun die to bear activity. Norwegian Communications Center. View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community, https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/, Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, I went through all of the Icy Strait Point excursions and chose the ones I think are worth doing (the V factor ). Look for jewelry made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects, and warm winter fashions. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. Thanks for reading, Helen! Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Nicolas LaBarre The Coastal Exploration by Zodiac excursion has you cruising along the coastlines of Port Frederick and Icy Strait, where you can search for humpback whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, and brown bears. We can guarantee you will be back to board your ship in plenty of time. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. Outdoor Adventures Elevate your adventure on the SkyGlider Mountaintop Gondola's high-speed, eight-person cars which whisk passengers to the top of Hoonah Mountain for Glacier Bay views and a host of nature activities. Not only that, our sturdy fleet of boats in conjunction with our experienced captains at the helm, and guides at the wheel of the vans, are more than capable of coping with the conditions. Paste as plain text instead, While in Icy Strait, we also give you the chance to enjoy some incredible and famous Icy Strait seafood. Consequently, we will automatically adjust your schedule and factor in any delays against the timing of your tour. Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Seabourn. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Icy Strait Point was our first stop on our June 2022 Alaskan cruise. Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska. Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. T4. Would love the wildlife search! This is the real Alaska! We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. Upon disembarking the Gondola, look for, and follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Read on for the best Icy Strait Point excursions for your upcoming Alaska cruise. $605. 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. Also what is the machine behind the Icy Strait point sign? This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is offered on Chichagof Island, a one-of-a-kind location with the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. I mean, you can zip-line in many ports around the world, so is it any surprise that theres an epic zip-lining experience in Alaska? Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. We offer the lowest rates in Hoonah! The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Our guide, a college student from DC, pandered so to the Tlingit culture it was embarrassing. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Visiting in September of 2023. Prices start at $169.00 per person. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. As tours can be enhanced or spoiled by the guide, we were unlucky. View below tower 6. Home port: Seattle. Get ready for a stream fishing adventure in pristine wilderness that will stay with you for the rest of your life. This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaskas largest Native Tlingit village. Expect guaranteed whale sightings in these nutrient-rich waters during the summer. 2. . You can post now and register later. I'm stuck right now on the Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise for $189 and the Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search for $255. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. Will definitely take rain gear. Bear sightings are also more frequent during the summer, so plan your trip accordingly. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. View Health & Safety requirements. Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tours; Cruise Lines. We'll supply everything you need, so there's nothing for you to worry about except for having fun and taking in nature at its best. You soon will be where you can sight humpbacks, Orcas, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises and seals, all attracted to the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. Sitting 1330' above Icy Strait Point, you will descend just over a mile and travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph while soaring 300' above the tree-tops below. There will be no shortage of fish in the cool, clear streams we'll take you on this trip. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? ISP is small and I would have no issues with straying from an RCL excursion at this port. IMO your best bet is to hike the short nature trails and take the cable car up the mountain for more hiking and scenic views. Combo assemblies on tower 5. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. Every trip is an adventure in this lush rainforest where Brown Bears outnumber humans. For the best wildlife viewing, check out our small group Icy Strait Point shore excursions. We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! Enjoy the serenity that can only be had while quietly gliding across the waters near Icy Strait Point enjoying the beautiful Alaskan scenery. The gondola is fairly new (expensive investment) but the ride only lasted for about 5 minutes. When Maisie goes missing, Owen and Claire set out to find her, and eventually . He will take you to his favorite fishing areas for the best halibut and salmon fishing around. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. Relax and spend a few hours away from the crowds while on this fishing expedition. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. Cruising in Alaska Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List, Alaska is a paradise for animal lovers. Alaska is full of epic hikes, and you might want to experience some of that for yourself on your Alaska cruise. From there, you can board a fixed-wing plane and soar over the massive national park, where you'll witness glaciers and animals from a first-class viewpoint from up above. Description (Courtesy of IMDb ): "After surviving the destruction of Isla Nubla, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing took in young Maisie Lockwood. On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Alaskan waters. We only have 4 port days! Gratuities/Tips are never expected, but our crew work hard to make sure you have a great experience and a Thank you tip is always appreciated! However there is so much more. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. Wildlife such as; eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black tail deer, whales, and even a bear on the beach are possible sightings. 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. View All Results. 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. Would have loved to have done the seated zip line but not at 170 USD for one ride! Be sure not to miss ShoreTrips' whale watching shore excursions, many of which include bear searching! Read more in my Privacy Policy. @alaskatravel, Small cruise ship stop with good scenery but limited and expensive activities. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. To book a tour please reach out to your cruise line for availability! {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. Youll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. And don't worry, a safe, brake-activated landing awaits at Icy Strait Point. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Included with the all-day gondola pass is a visit to a traditional ceremonial hall to see a Tribal Dance, hosted by the family of Johan Hinchman. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. 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. My husband and I were excited to take the sky glider up to the top so we could do the Alice Lake trail 1.5 mile hike to hidden lake. View pods of orcas effortlessly gliding under the waves, on rare occasions, see humpback calfs playing with their mothers, on rare occasions, the amazing phenomenon of "bubble-net" feeding by groups of humpbacks is seen. 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. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/17/excursion-focus-alaska-sled-dogs-mushers-camp-juneau-alaska. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. But, Ive weighed the options and consider these nine to be the best Icy Strait Point and Hoonah cruise excursions. And don't forget the fishing. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation and change requests in writing. The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $280 per person View Details And completely reliable. Don't worry we will definitely be back to Alaska (just after Hawaii and Europe according to my wife LOL). Icy Strait Point is home to an abundance of tours and excursions designed to help you experience what Alaska has to offer. Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. Royal Caribbean Group. Join us on a whale watching tour to see the enormous humpback whales. While we love delivering stunning target birds like Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Bald Eagles, and Stellers Jays, we arent just about birds on this tour. If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. . Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company built the first cannery in the area, and it has become quite a tourist attraction since then. As a company that has been in the business of offering small group shore excursions in the Icy Strait Point area for over a decade, our tour schedules are mindfully constructed around the cruise ships arrivals and departures! (Look for them holding a Hoonah Travel Adventures sign.) Fancies herself a bit of a . Keep an eye out for other wildlife, like eagles, sea lions, seals, sea otters. Icy Strait Point, sometimes called Hoonah after the native people who live in this area and run the cruise port, is one popular stop on Alaska cruises but it can be hard to decipher the marketing language to know which excursions will be worth your time and money. If you have questions or comments, let me know below or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. . You're in for an adrenaline rush of a lifetime as you fly above the treetops at speeds of up to 60 mph. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase. On May 18th we came into port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! They Rock! 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! Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. Ships Deck Plans . Josh has captained in this area for many years and knows the area well! The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . My wife and I are going on the 11 night Ovation of the Seas sailing on May 13, 2019. U.S. Honduras A 27-year-old woman has accused Royal Caribbean Cruises of being responsible for the death of her husband who was killed in a zip-lining accident on the Honduran island of Roatn.. This is a small group tour that provides you the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature! Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. Only Holland America offers this one. A 5 out of 5 score represents top of the line luxury. Enjoy a hot beverage before returning to your ship or exploring the cannery and nature trail at Icy Strait Point. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. so we had a more personalized experience. But young toddlers have to just walk and look around. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Companies that book through the ships have to pay the ships very high fees to do that. 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. Love your blog. I agree that the activities are for older children. Response from Host, Sep 2022. Availability: This tour is only available August-September. In this post, I promote travel to a national park that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Huna (Hoonah) Tlingit people. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. Display as a link instead, And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. We were left doubting her sincerity and actually had the best interaction with the armed woman, accompanying us for protection, who lives in Hoonah. 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. We are so excited about it and are beginni. 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! To increase your chances, you need to get off the big boat, get on two feet, and get out in the Alaska wild. Five stars arent enough to describe this wonderful production filled with colorful regalia, genuine ritual, deep spirituality, and a sense of humor and play (Raven was a trickster, after all). I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Many outdoor enthusiasts come to Alaska for fishing, and Hoonah won't disappoint. 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!). Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. Find a Cruisetour Any Destination Any Month Any Departure Port Any Ship Any Ship Feature See if you qualify for exclusive rates Advanced Search Call Our Brand Specialists Now Learn More About Icy Strait Point, Alaska They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. Your email address will not be published. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! We meet guests at the Icy Strait Point Excursions Hub. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Chichagof Island's Spasski River Valley is equally renowned for having one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears anywhere. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! 1. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. 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 You might even catch them bubble net feeding! Do you offer any discounts or promotions? To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. And, we do offer discounts for groups of 4 or more on some of the tours! Most stuff is sold out on our cruise and some of the adventures you talked about are not even listed. If wild and cruise line food is not your thing, there are delicious restaurants in the area. Step into an Alaska experience as you navigate your Jeep or ATV through the unspoiled wilderness of Chichagof Island's back roads. You will have to walk up and/or down a potentially steep ramp depending on the tide to access the floats where the boat will be. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. . Is our tour still on? Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! Take a Whale Watching Cruise. We rarely cancel on our guests as the weather is typically pretty stable. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. The view is pretty nice but not warrant the ticket price. On this 2- to 3-hour excursion, youll board a helicopter, cruise up to the top of the mountain, unload your bikes, and ride back down. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? Disney, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. Icy Strait is home to a wide array of wildlife, including orcas, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, porpoise, and the majestic humpback whale. Required fields are marked *. Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. Notes: Guests must be able to walk without assistance. Favorites. Look for jewellery made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects and warm winter fashions. Have you seen my other Alaska cruise resources? Take in the beautiful Alaskan scenery and bring your camera to snap some photos of . Fly down the world's largest ZipRider, whale-watch in the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, search for the coastal brown bears that inhabit the area, and soar high above in a helicopter. View All Results. Another view of tower 5. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. Heres how I calculated the scores: Based on all that, heres my list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions: While not everyone will agree with this list and it wasnt the original list I wrote back for the 2020 season (ha!). The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. My eBook, Alaskas Best Cruise Excursions, will help you wade through all the excursions in each port to make the best choice for each stop on your Alaska cruise itinerary. Theres no guarantee, of course, but thats part of what makes the excursion an adventure! Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? The buildings that once was a cannery provided a very nice historical perspective of how it really use to be. Do you have any experience with either excursion? We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Seeing whales on your tour is guaranteed. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Im glad youre happy with it! Here's our itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia| Sail Away 5 PM, Icy Strait Point, Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM, Sitka, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM, Juneau, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM, Skagway, Alaska Arrive7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM. Visited from our cruise ship. You will then get to see how the birds, fish, mammals, plants, forests, rivers, and climate all weave together to create this lush, vibrant ecosystem! It is totally safe! 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. 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. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. Icy Strait Point is home to a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum. Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. I really like ISP. It's a 3.5 hr whale watch tour. Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. Unless you are going to ride the Zip Line, save your money and just walk around the small tourist town. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. At ShoreTrips we are committed to enhancing your shore excursions with small, creative and personal day tours and adventures. Icy Strait Point is a cruise destination located in the small Alaskan village of Hoonah. Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. Departs From 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. I would like to know if the zodiac boats and whale watching boats travel in the same waters? Your previous content has been restored. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours.
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