Table Of Content
Listen to my interview with Tyler Hickman, Vice President Operations at Icy Strait Point. This interview was recorded before I ever visited Alaska or moved there. Tyler is very proud of Icy Strait Point and loves to talk about this small slice of heaven.
Icy Strait Point Itinerary: Final Thoughts
Hoonah is easily accessible and will give you an excellent chance to talk to Tlingit natives and learn about their culture. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330’ ziplines dropping 1330’. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, then the ZipRider is for you. While you’re at the theater, be sure to stop and admire the enormous totem poles outside the entrance! One of the best boat tours available in Icy Strait Point is the Ocean Raft Adventure.
Cultural and Historical Exploration
Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when it’s in season. 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. If you’re a runner or enjoy the outdoors, this is the place for you, and you don’t have to stray too far.
NCL Invests in Alaska: Christens Icy Strait Pier and New Ward Cove Docking Facility in Ketchikan - Travel Market Report
NCL Invests in Alaska: Christens Icy Strait Pier and New Ward Cove Docking Facility in Ketchikan.
Posted: Tue, 17 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What are some popular excursions in Icy Strait Point?
The experience is definitely one-of-a-kind and a must-do in the region. With 6 lines, up to 6 passengers can descend at once, which also makes the activity great for families and small groups. Right under the gangway are some fabulous, easily-accessible tide pools. In a short visit, I found sea anemones as well as the most massive starfish I have encountered. This show makes for a perfect introduction to Hoonah’s culture and the unique legends that the natives have carried down here for centuries. You can find most of the shops in Icy Strait Point near the Cannery Museum in the long red buildings.
Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog. With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience. Alongside her partner, Chris, she's your go-to guide for an authentic Alaskan adventure.
What is Icy Strait Point? Is it the Same Place as Hoonah?
From the Ocean Landing, you can walk ashore to the Adventure Center, which is a visitor center, restrooms, and the other end of the Transporter gondola. This area is also where the ZipRider lines end, which can be fun to watch. The Duck Point Smokehouse is right by the jetty, while the Cannery, for more restaurants and the majority of the shops, is a short walk along the beach. Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska bring you to a pristine, forested headland on mountainous Chichagof Island, some 40 miles from Juneau. We hope this guide on things to do in Icy Strait Point, Alaska helps you out the next time you visit during a cruise vacation. With the Alaska cruising season mainly running during the summer months, it’s also important to note that a lot of tours and experiences can be booked up quickly.
We dedicated an entire day to exploring Icy Strait Point, and the experience was nothing short of fantastic. At Hoonah, we experienced some of the best whale watching in Alaska. Moreover, we learned about the incredible local culture and enjoyed excellent salmon. Icy Strait Point is renowned for its exemplary responsible tourism practices and has received numerous awards since opening.
The ZipRider excursion starts right after cruise ship disembarkation, followed by shuttle bus transfer that includes scenic drive to Hoonah Mountain's top. Along the ride, passengers can enjoy wildlife viewing - bears, deer, eagles are often seen along the route. The coach travel also includes several vantage points - Hoonah, Port Frederick, Icy Strait. In clear weather can be seen Glacier Bay National Park's peaks in the distance.
There are now two cruise ship berths located on the “corner” of Icy Strait and the Port Frederick Inlet. There is no bank in Icy Strait Point, although there is one in Hoonah, a mile and a half from the dock. Most vendors will accept credit cards, but it is a good idea to keep some cash on hand for small restaurants or local boutiques that may only accept cash. One of the newest additions to Icy Strait Point is a gondola that reaches amazing heights and offers great views of the area. Many whales congregate around Point Adolphus and hang out for the summer. Its proximity to Icy Strait Point makes it a perfect whale-watching spot.
There are various ways to take in this majestic scenery while looking out for foraging bears and eagles in the treetops. Guided kayak trips take you through protected waters where the blow of a humpback whale or the black dorsal fin of an orca could pierce the smooth surface at any moment. For a close-up experience in Tlingit culture, take a short shuttle ride to Hoonah, located about 1.5 miles from port.
This natural port has two piers, Ocean Landing (or Adventure Landing) and Wilderness Landing. Both are mobility friendly and set up to welcome visitors to a true native Alaskan experience. It offers a rare mix of adventure and immersion in nature’s tranquility, making it a remarkable destination for those seeking to explore Alaska’s wild beauty. Its remote, less-trodden paths provide a serene backdrop for thrilling experiences, from zip-lining to wildlife encounters.
In fact, don’t retreat to the ship for lunch…enjoy something local instead. Icy Strait Point is a destination port, meaning it has its own attractions. Your cruise ship will drop you off right in the middle of all of the action. Tipping here is the same as it is elsewhere in the U.S.; 15 to 20% in restaurants, and for a good guide, around 10% of the cost of the tour, per person. You don’t need to tip the park rangers; they are government employees and don’t expect it. The historic Cannery complex has been turned into a shopping emporium filled with stores that are all 100% Alaskan-owned, with profits going back into the local community.
