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Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Icy Strait Point Alaska Cruise Guide: Whales, Bears & Best Excursions This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! There are some cruise ports you visit for a few hours and barely remember later. Then there are places like Icy Strait Point, where the scenery stays with you long after the cruise is over.Tucked along Alaska’s rugged Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point feels very different from many other cruise ports. It’s quieter. More personal. More connected to the place itself. And that’s because this isn’t just a tourist destination built for cruise ships. It’s owned and operated by the local Native Alaskan Hoonah Totem Corporation, with tourism helping support the nearby community of Hoonah, one of the largest Tlingit communities in Alaska.That connection to local culture is part of what makes this port feel so special. A Cruise Port With Real History Long before cruise ships arrived, this area was home to the historic Hoonah Packing Company cannery. Back in the early 1900s, the cannery was one of the economic lifelines of the region, processing salmon pulled from the rich Alaskan waters surrounding Chichagof Island.Today, many of the original buildings still remain, beautifully restored into museums, shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces. Walking through the old cannery area genuinely feels like stepping into Alaska’s past. You can still see original equipment, historic displays, and reminders of the generations who worked here.Unlike some cruise destinations that can feel overly commercialized, Icy Strait Point still feels rooted in the community around it. Many of the shops are locally owned, and excursions often include local guides sharing stories about life in Southeast Alaska.The nearby town of Hoonah is only about a five-minute drive away, or around a 30-minute walk if you enjoy stretching your legs. Honestly, even the walk itself is beautiful.The views along the shoreline are incredible, and wildlife sightings are surprisingly common. On one visit, we watched humpback whales bubble-net feeding right from shore while walking toward town. In Alaska, moments like that somehow start to feel normal. Incredible things to do Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point If there’s one excursion people should seriously consider booking here, it’s whale watching.The waters near Point Adolphus are some of the richest feeding grounds for humpback whales in Alaska, and this area has developed a reputation for having some of the most reliable whale sightings anywhere in the state.And when people say reliable, they really mean it. Some local operators proudly note they’ve had whale sightings on every tour since 2004.From the moment the boat leaves the harbor, you’re already in prime wildlife territory. Depending on the day, you may see: Humpback whales breaching or bubble-net feeding Orcas Sea lions Sea otters Bald eagles overhead One of the most incredible things about this area is just how wild it still feels.Chichagof Island is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears in the world. There are estimated to be over 3,500 bears living on the island. That’s almost two bears per square mile.Bear watching excursions typically travel through rainforest, muskegs, and remote wilderness areas outside Hoonah, where sightings are common during summer months. Along the way, you may also spot bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer.And while sightings are never guaranteed, that unpredictability is part of what makes it feel so real.This isn’t a zoo attraction. It’s actual wilderness. There’s something unforgettable about seeing a bear moving through the forest completely undisturbed, just existing naturally in its own environment.If you’re doing a wildlife excursion here, definitely bring binoculars! Alaska wildlife often appears at a distance first, and good binoculars make a huge difference. Even if you’ve been whale watching before, Alaska feels different. The scenery alone is breathtaking, with dense forest, misty mountains, and calm water surrounding you in every direction.One important tip: book whale watching early if it’s something you want to do. These excursions sell out quickly, especially during peak Alaska season. The ZipRider: Not for the Faint of Heart For travelers wanting something more adventurous, the ZipRider has become one of Icy Strait Point’s biggest attractions. And honestly, just looking at it from below is enough to make some people rethink their life choices.Stretching more than 5,300 feet with a vertical drop of over 1,300 feet, it’s one of the largest zip rides in North America. Riders soar high above the forest canopy with sweeping views over the ocean below.Even people who normally avoid thrill rides sometimes end up loving this one because the scenery is just so spectacular. Bear Watching in the Wild One of the most incredible things about this area is just how wild it still feels. And a bear watching excursion is the safest way to see bears in the wild.Chichagof Island is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears in the world. There are estimated to be over 3,500 bears living on the island. That’s almost two bears per square mile.Bear watching excursions typically travel through rainforest, muskegs, and remote wilderness areas outside Hoonah, where sightings are common during summer months. Along the way, you may also spot bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer.And while sightings are never guaranteed, that unpredictability is part of what makes it feel so real.This isn’t a zoo attraction. It’s actual wilderness. There’s something unforgettable about seeing a bear moving through the forest completely undisturbed, just existing naturally in its own environment.And, remember your binoculars! Fishing Excurions Fishing in Icy Strait Point is as authentic as it gets—these waters are rich with salmon, halibut,ContinueContinue reading “Icy Strait Point: Where Alaska’s Wild Meets Living Culture”