I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. Display as a link instead, A 5 out of 5 score represents top of the line luxury. Ships Deck Plans . Description (Courtesy of IMDb ): "After surviving the destruction of Isla Nubla, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing took in young Maisie Lockwood. This excursion starts with a boat transfer from Sitka to the nearby Siginaka Islands; this cluster of islands is located north of town so you'll enjoy views of Sitka's waterfront and coast along the way. Since the arrival of cruise ship travelers, the Huna Totem Corporation has restored a former salmon cannery to support tourism in the area. Website Season:$180 per person3.5 hrs. We keep our groups small, so we can take you off the beaten path, where the locals go. Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human. Now lets dive into each one! The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. I spent three summers working for one of the major cruise companies, and during that time I had to make recommendations for excursions for thousands of Alaska cruisers. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. We are so excited about it and are beginni. View Details. 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. We were left doubting her sincerity and actually had the best interaction with the armed woman, accompanying us for protection, who lives in Hoonah. Overview. We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. Cruising in Alaska Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List, Alaska is a paradise for animal lovers. The restored cannery turned museum shop offers fine jewelry, warm fashions, canned sockeye salmon, and plenty more. @alaskatravel, Small cruise ship stop with good scenery but limited and expensive activities. Guests must be able to walk over paved, gravel, and packed dirt surfaces, with inclines. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! The Crab House, The Cookhouse, and Duck Point Smokehouse are excellent dining options. We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip. On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, . Will I make the __:__ tour? Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . . In the unlikely event we do cancel the tour, we will provide you with a full refund. 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. (That means each excursion gets its own number, no ties), I gave each excursion a boost or deduction for being a good value based on the. Sorry, I dont know the specific tour company; the goal of this post is to help people book their cruise excursions through the cruise company. 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. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. If your ship is docking at the Adventure Dock, after exiting your cruise ship, disembark and proceed up the ramp to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. In both Juneau and Skagway there are excursions that go to a sled dog facility. Thank you for sharing this. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. Companies that book through the ships have to pay the ships very high fees to do that. Is our tour still on? If you do have the fortune to hook a halibut, the boat company will ship it home to you. We love the article! In this post, I promote travel to a national park that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Huna (Hoonah) Tlingit people. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Icy Strait Point, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. We do NOT have space to store wheelchairs or walkers on then van/bus or aboard the boat during your tour, even if they are the folding type. Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Dei L'e.aan (lisa's Art Store), Hotels near Alaska Luxury Tours - Icy Strait Point / Hoonah, Hotels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Motels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Hoonah, Icy Strait Point - Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise, Tribal Dance & Cultural Legends at Icy Strait Point, Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh, Fire in the Valley- Carnegie Steel and the Town That Built America, Bohol Taug Whale Shark Watching and Snorkeling, Private Two Hour Yacht Charter in Tampa Bay, Half Day Blue Cave and Snorkeling Tour from Dubrovnik Old Town, Hvar (Hvar island) & Bol (Bra island) - Day Trip from Makarska - Every Tuesday. Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! Excursions by boat or vehicle to the Spasski River provide opportunities to spot bald eagles, woodpeckers . Our group said to each other, "we should come back in ten years and see if it looks the same". Once inside the Adventure Center, walk through the building and exit through door number 2 this is clearly marked. View All Alaska Cruise Lines; . 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! Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. That said, its not exactly unique to encounter these kinds of excursions, so it doesnt rank particularly high on my personal list of the best Icy Strait Point cruise excursions. Youve finally decided: 2023 is the year to take the Alaska cruise youve been dreaming of whether its been a few years or a lifetime of waiting. Visited from our cruise ship. (This Icy Strait Point excursion is not for those who are faint of heart or afraid of heights!). Everything was close together and easy. With that in mind, prepare for the worst and hope for the best! The majority of us, when we think of Alaska, probably picture a big area covered in ice, frozen land, and maybe even caribou running free across the tundra. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. 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. You won't find a better place to experience an outdoor adventure and get a sense of what a . Humpback whales visit Icy Strait Point every summer, beginning in May, and they stay around until September. Established in the early 1960s, Tok River Outfitters, now a second generation Alaskan business, is still owned and operated by the original founder's family. I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. My wife and I are going on the 11 night Ovation of the Seas sailing on May 13, 2019. They had a blast doing things there. Many outdoor enthusiasts come to Alaska for fishing, and Hoonah won't disappoint. For a real Alaska speciality, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chilli or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. Welcome to Hoonah, AK. Unfortunately, this excursion isnt offered by as many cruise companies as others above it on the list so it ended up falling a few spots on my list for 2023. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. 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'] ? " Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. I try to include a food tour in every one of the posts in this series; I believe food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of a place including Alaska. 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 . If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). If you have questions or comments, let me know below or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. Or that its the largest in the world kind of like Alaska is the largest state? All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. Climb onboard a wheeled training cart and relax as your team of Alaskan huskies take you on a 1.5-mile journey through the rainforest! 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. The home of Icy Strait Point Excursions. Would love the wildlife search! I would like to know if the zodiac boats and whale watching boats travel in the same waters? Photo credits: Icy Strait Point building (L) Moira Dunworth; Glacier Bay flightseeing (R) Joseph; salmon on grill Didriks; Tlingit tribal dance James Brooks; halibut fisherman Bryan Wilkins; all via Flickr. Watch the eagles in the nest right across from the school. Don't Lose Your Reservation! Your excursion begins with a scenic drive along Gastineau Channel, and into the Ship Creek Valley. 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. Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? Great Value. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. Your personal view of the whales is not repaced with drones; just supplemented! While in Icy Strait, we also give you the chance to enjoy some incredible and famous Icy Strait seafood. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. 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. We did an independent whale watching tour in ISP and it was amazing. Youll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops. By pem309, . We choose to make the short trip over to the actual town of Hoonah and truly enjoyed watching and speaking with two local men who were carving a totem pole. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. Alaska is full of epic hikes, and you might want to experience some of that for yourself on your Alaska cruise. 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. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? Make a payment and confirm your reservation. Copyright 2023 Icy Strait Point Excursions. Alaska-Sized Adventure In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. 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. 1-888-751-7804 . Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! (It is semi-widely available and a good value though, as points in its favor.). Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. FAQ What are the best tours in Icy Strait Point? . You can post now and register later. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. 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. I looked at the number of cruise companies offering that excursion in 2022. We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. By https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/. Thanks for the info and the pics, very nice. See the "real" Alaska on this nature tour that takes you up close to bears, eagles and other fascinating wildlife. 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. Join local maritime hero Captain Billy, a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska on this unforgettable fishing adventure. Whales regularly cruise by just offshore and Chichagoff Island has the highest density of brown bears (grizzly) of anywhere in Alaska. There are a few great reasons! Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. 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. 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. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that . Children as young as 6 years old can ride the zipline, and guests must be between the weight of 75 pounds and 275 pounds to enjoy this adventure. I agree that the activities are for older children. Our Local Guides Provide an Intimate and Authentic Experience. {{card.portName}}, Onboard Enjoy a fun small-group experience on this Icy Strait whale watching tour, limited to 18 passengers per tour. Wildlife such as; eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black tail deer, whales, and even a bear on the beach are possible sightings. We shape and time all of our tours and excursions around the cruise ships schedules relieving you of any stress before you dock into port. We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. 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. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect . We chose to book Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search when it was on sale last weekend! Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. Join us on a whale watching tour to see the enormous humpback whales. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This is truly an experience for the books, and cameras. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. There may be 3rd party options you can explore directly. This is the real Alaska! Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away.