Icy Strait Point: What's Actually There
Icy Strait Point is not a town and not untouched wilderness. It is a port built by the local Tlingit community's Native corporation around a restored salmon cannery, on a quiet stretch of shore near the village of Hoonah. Its big draws are whale watching, a huge zipline and a slower pace than Juneau or Ketchikan.
Who runs it, and why that matters
The port is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, the Alaska Native corporation for Hoonah, and profits support the community. Most staff come from Hoonah, so the guides, performers and carvers you meet are often local Tlingit people sharing their own home.
What's actually at Icy Strait Point?
- The cannery. Built in 1912 and restored as a museum, shops and restaurants, with the old machinery still on show.
- Trails and beach. Boardwalk trails run through spruce forest along the shore, with a pebble beach and tidal flats.
- Gondolas. A horizontal gondola links the piers and the cannery area, and the Sky Glider rises up Hoonah Mountain, roughly 500 metres above the water, for views over Icy Strait.
- The ZipRider. More than 1.6 kilometres of cable with a vertical drop of around 400 metres, carrying up to six riders side by side. It is the port's signature thrill.
- Hoonah village. A couple of kilometres along the road, with a harbour, a small store and everyday Alaska life.
How to spend your call
| Activity | Time needed | Cost level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannery museum and shoreline trails | 1–3 hours | Free | Everyone, low-key days |
| Walk to Hoonah and back | 1.5–2 hours | Free | Curious walkers |
| Sky Glider to the mountaintop | 1–2 hours | Paid | Views on a clear day |
| ZipRider | About 1.5 hours with the ride up | Paid, one of the pricier options | Thrill seekers |
| Whale-watching boat | 2.5–3 hours | Paid, often around US$150 and up | Whale lovers, first visits |
| Tlingit dance and culture programme | About 1 hour | Paid | Families, culture lovers |
| Bear-search or forest tour | 3–4 hours | Paid | Wildlife hopes, no guarantees |
Prices change each season, so check your cruise line's excursion list or the port's own site. Booking independently can cost less than through the ship; the trade-offs are in booking excursions through the ship vs independently.
Why the whale watching is so good
The waters of Icy Strait and nearby Point Adolphus are rich feeding grounds, and in summer humpbacks gather there to feed. Tours leave from right beside the piers and reach whale water quickly, which is why operators here often guarantee sightings. If whales top your list, this is one of the best places on any Alaska itinerary to book a boat. For which sailings deliver the best whale odds overall, see whale watching on an Alaska cruise.
A no-excursion day works too
This is the rare Alaska port where booking nothing is a genuinely good plan. Walk the trails, browse the cannery, sit on the beach watching for whales offshore, then wander towards Hoonah. Bring a rain jacket: Icy Strait is in the temperate rainforest, and showers are normal even in summer.
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Ask a cruise expert →Where it fits in your itinerary
Itineraries with Icy Strait Point usually swap it for another stop, so treat it as a feature rather than filler. If whales and a quieter port matter more to you than another busy town, an Icy Strait sailing may suit you better than one with only Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. For the other ports, see Juneau excursions ranked, the free Ketchikan walking plan and Skagway and the White Pass railway.
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Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Is Icy Strait Point a real town?
The port itself is a visitor site owned by Huna Totem Corporation, not a town. The real village of Hoonah sits a couple of kilometres along the shore and welcomes visitors on foot.
Do ships dock or tender at Icy Strait Point?
Most calls now use the port's piers, which can take two ships at once, but some sailings still tender passengers ashore. Check your itinerary if mobility matters.
Is Icy Strait Point worth it without an excursion?
Yes. The cannery museum, shoreline trails, beach and a walk towards Hoonah fill a pleasant few hours for free, which makes it one of the easiest Alaska ports to enjoy without booking anything.
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