Cruise Port Essentials: Exploring Icy Strait Point

Weather/best time to visit

The best time to visit is May–August. You’ll find milder weather (50–60°F), longer daylight hours and it’s less rainy. June–August is prime time to see bears and fish for halibut and salmon. September is less crowded but has a bit of chillier weather and it’s a little rainier. October–April the port is closed to cruises and there is very limited access. Layers and comfortable waterproof shoes are always a good idea in Alaska.

Transportation

Transportation on Icy Strait Point is cruise-friendly and easy.

• Walking: Most of the attractions are within walking distance of the port. Nature trails connect the main areas of interest. The walk to Hoonah takes about 30 minutes if you decide to walk there.

• Gondola system: There are two gondola systems on the island. The Transporter Gondola which is a free ride between the Wilderness Landing and the Adventure Center, and the Sky Glider Gondola, which is a scenic ride that takes you to the top of Hoonah Mountain.

• Shuttle services: There are local inexpensive shuttle services that run from Icy Strait Point to the town of Hoonah. You can find them behind the Cannery. The trip is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes about five minutes.

• Excursion transportation: All booked excursions will provide transportation to your chosen booking.

• Accessibility: Most of the main areas are located on flat, paved walkways that are wheelchair-accessible. This includes most shops, restaurants, restrooms, and the cannery. The free Transporter Gondola is accessible as well. Be aware that the nature trails and beach areas are challenging for mobility devices. At this time, there is limited seating and shade for people who may need rest stops. Make sure to check the accessibility of any excursion you are interested in, and make sure they can accommodate your needs.

Local cuisine

Icy Strait Point is known for its fresh seafood, especially local Dungeness crabs that are caught daily. All the restaurants serve fish that is caught by local fisherman—so the seafood is boat-to-plate. Here are a few top recommendations:

• The Crab House: If you love crab, you will love the Crab House. They have local Dungeness (when in season), snow and king crab, as fresh as you’ll ever find. You also won’t want to miss the Alaska Crabby Bloody Mary. It’s made with crab meat, garnished with a snow crab leg, celery, shrimp, olives, lime, and beach asparagus. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience. If seafood is not your thing, they also serve Alaskan reindeer chili and chicken jambalaya. They offer indoor and dock seating, all with a beautiful view.

• The Cookhouse: The Cookhouse restaurant has been open for over 100 years. It’s a casual restaurant on the waterfront serving seafood, burgers, and some Alaskan flavors. You can’t beat the fresh catch of the day, the fresh-cut halibut and chips, or the delicious homemade desserts. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a salmon BLT slider, an Alaskan Blue Burger made with Alaska reindeer meat, reindeer chili, or salmon chowder. You won’t be disappointed.

• Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant: Duck Point Smokehouse is a newly renovated restaurant on the water that overlooks the Icy Strait beaches. They are well-known for their smoked salmon, halibut tacos, delicious chowders, and their signature dish—the Icy Strait Point Surf and Turf. They combine fresh crab tater tots and Alaskan Blue Sliders for a truly Alaskan meal. You can get a brick-oven pizza if that’s more your style, and they have some delicious signature cocktails and local beers to go with it. There’s also a chance that you’ll see some whales or orcas dancing in the ocean as you’re enjoying your meal.

• Hoonah Beach House: Located in the town of Hoonah, the Dungeness crabs caught daily in the bay are the stars of the menu here. All of the berries in the desserts are picked right from their own garden, and the Thai iced tea is amazing. The large deck over the water is a relaxing place to eat and an excellent vantage point for some wildlife sightings and stunning photography. Eagles and whales are frequently spotted here.

Icy Strait Point has a cozy brewery and a few bars where you can feel like a local, have a drink, and enjoy.

• Icy Strait Brewing: Found in Hoonah, this is a local favorite. It’s a cozy brewery where they brew craft small-batch beers with local ingredients. Try a Cannery Red Ale, American IPA, Blonde Ale, or an Oatmeal Stout.

• Icy Strait Lodge Bar: Located in Hoonah, this is a casual, laid-back bar serving classic drinks and home style cooking. You’ll feel right at home playing pool, foosball, or ping-pong. You can also rent a boat or a car here. They are known for their “Home-style Hoonah Hospitality.”

Shopping

Icy Strait Point Gift Shop: Your classic souvenir store with shirts, jackets, mugs, gourmet foods, etc. It’s a great place to purchase gifts and souvenirs.

• Icy Strait Point: The historic Cannery has been transformed into cute shops and a museum. Here you will find 12 different shops conveniently located minutes from the dock. You’ll find lots of Alaskan treasures, including paintings, photography, statues, jewelry, home decor, and clothing. Many of the items are uniquely Alaskan and make fantastic gifts or one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Everything here is locally owned and operated.

• Fishbone Gifts: Located downtown Hoonah, this is home to many unique Alaskan gifts. You’ll find it across the street from the Huna Tribal House Carving Project.

• Hoonah Treasures: Located in Hoonah and besides being a great store where you can get local crafts, keepsakes, and apparel, they are known for their welcoming, friendly hospitality.

• The Shops by HTA: A collection of boutiques that carry many kinds of Alaskan souvenirs. They have everything from handmade jewelry, smoked salmon, apparel to local Native art.

Things to do in Icy Strait Point: wildlife

• Whale watching: You can choose from a few different whale-watching tours in Icy Strait Point. The boat captains are experienced whale-watchers, and they bring you up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. From the first sighting of a whale’s waterspout to the last flip of its remarkable tail, it is an incredible experience. Many times, you will also see orca whales, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, bald eagles, and possibly even a brown bear on a nearby shore. In this area, the waters are rich with nutrients, so there is a high probability that you will see whales. Most boats are wheelchair accessible, but make sure that you check beforehand because some may just be able to accommodate people with limited mobility, not wheelchairs.

• Brown bear search: Icy Strait (Chichagof Island) is known as “Bear Island” because it has a very large number of brown bears. There are said to be two bears per square mile. The bears are drawn to the many berries available for them to harvest and the plentiful salmon during the salmon run. You will be taken on a hike through the rain forest in the Spasski Valley to a platform overlooking the Spasski River. As you walk along the “Trail of the Bear” boardwalks, your guide will give you insightful information about the wildlife in the area and about the native Tlingit population. Besides looking for bears, be on the lookout for bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and land otters. You will be surrounded by beautiful Alaskan scenery, and you will be able to take some stunning wildlife photos. Note: It’s very important to know that bear sightings are not guaranteed. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, but not all tours are fully wheelchair accessible. Some of the tours include dirt paths and rugged terrain, so it’s always smart to check accessibility before booking any excursion.

For those looking for some adventure

• Zipline adventure: ZipRider is the world’s largest zipline. It’s over a mile long, and it drops 1,320 feet and reaches up to 65 mph. There are six parallel lines, so you can experience it with friends or family. The adventure starts with a gondola ride that takes you from the base in Icy Strait to the top of Hoonah Mountain. After a short walk, you are harnessed in, launched and you soar over the rainforest, ocean, and even your cruise ship. You land on a soft beach after a thrilling 90 seconds of pure adrenaline. Unlimited rides on the gondola are included in your adventure. This is a very popular excursion, so book it early. There are height and weight requirements, so check those before booking. This excursion is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Ocean raft adventure: This is a wildlife excursion with the addition of a thrilling ocean raft ride. You’ll board an open-air, 27-foot inflatable rigid-hull boat that is fast and can turn on a dime. You’ll wear a survival suit to keep warm as you zip along the coast. The route varies due to weather and wildlife activity, but expect to spend 90 minutes on a thrilling boat ride that alternates with wildlife searches and adrenaline rushes, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Wildlife in the area includes sea lions, sea otters, seals, humpback whales, orcas, and an occasional brown bear. Make sure you have a camera ready for stunning photos. Note: Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. This excursion is not wheelchair-accessible, and it requires you to be able to step down into the boat while wearing the survival suit.

If you are looking for more leisure excursions

• Kayak adventure: A scenic paddle through the calm, protected waters that surround Icy Strait. The kayaks hold two people, and you must wear a life vest. Your guide is a safety-certified local who will teach you about the area’s history, culture, and the resident wildlife. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles, humpback whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, and otters. As you paddle to Pitt Island, you’ll see beautiful scenery and have chances to capture stunning photographs. There are height and weight restrictions, and you must be able to paddle through small waves and currents. This excursion is not wheelchair accessible, and mobility is essential to book this excursion.

• Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen: If you are a foodie, enjoy cooking, or just want to learn about the local culinary cuisine, this is the excursion for you. It’s 1.5 hours of learning the chefs’ techniques, tasting new dishes, and then actually cooking some fresh Alaska seafood on an alder-wood grill. You will get to sample wild salmon, Dungeness crab, halibut, and more. Recipe cards are given to each guest so you can recreate these delicious dishes at home. This excursion is wheelchair-accessible and can accommodate any type of mobility device.

As you can see, Icy Strait Point has something to offer everyone. This is just a sampling of the many activities and adventures that it has to offer. You can have a wonderful day just taking the gondola up the mountain to enjoy the magnificent scenery, eating at local restaurants, kayaking, ziplining, searching for bears and other wildlife, or taking a thrilling ocean raft ride through the Alaskan wilderness. Icy Point has so much to offer, you can truly have a multitude of once-in-a-lifetime experiences here.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Alaska page.