Welcome to Hoonah, Alaska! A true hidden gem in the wilderness, Hoonah is a town near Icy Strait Point on Chichagof Island that’s accessible via gondola ride from the Adventure Dock or Wilderness Dock. Notably, Hoonah is Alaska’s largest Tlingit village. Those who are lucky enough to make the voyage are treated to rare access to Alaskan Native heritage, out-of-this-world whale-watching, and the chance to see where the local bear population thrives.
The natural and cultural richness of Hoonah have helped to make it a popular cruise port that feels like the edge of the world. In fact, this land of just 800 year-round residents sees up to 10,000 cruise visitors on a busy day — which makes choosing the right tour operator more important than ever. That’s why so many cruise ship and lodge guests choose to explore with Icy Strait Shore Excursions.
A tour we think you'll love
Established in 2011, we’re a locally owned, family business known for our Return Anytime Shuttle Pass that makes exploration easy. Let us be your local guides in Hoonah if you want an experience to remember. To help you start, here are some tours to consider during your time exploring The Last Frontier.
Great Alaskan Stream Fishing Adventure
This five-hour to six-hour tour includes a drive and short hike into Chichagof Island’s remote, practically secret salmon streams. This experience is ideal for small groups between one and six people. The cost per person begins at $369.
Key features of the tour include:
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Catch & release spin/fly fishing with all gear and waders provided
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Complimentary snacks, water, and Alaskan adult beverages included
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Professional photos and a custom video reel documenting your adventure
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Guided exploration of Spasski River, Game Creek, and Kennel Creek
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Insightful explanations of the surrounding ecosystem by your expert guide
This package offers an unforgettable fishing experience in one of Alaska’s most beautiful and untouched places, perfect for anyone who loves nature and fishing.
The man behind the rod:
Our popular Great Alaskan Stream Fishing Adventure is led by Captain David “Remo” Riemenschneider — a man who was simply born to fish. Here’s what makes Remo the perfect guide for this adventure:
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Over 30 years of fishing, hunting, and outdoor adventure experience across lakes, rivers, and coastal bays
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Holds a Master 100-Ton Captain’s License since 2011 and has been guiding fishing and hunting excursions since the age of 16
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Has spent multiple summers as a sport fishing and adventure tour guide throughout Southeast Alaska since 2017
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Fell in love with Hoonah in 2022 and joined forces with the locally owned and operated Icy Strait Shore Excursions
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Known for treating every guest like a friend — even on the slowest days, Remo works hard to ensure the trip of a lifetime
What our clients say about this tour:
Those who have embarked on this tour are amazed at the wildlife sightings! One recent guest shared that she was able to see a bear foraging, sea lions playing, and whales feeding everywhere in a single day. Guests really appreciate how close our captains can get them to wildlife for once-in-a-lifetime views.
Your most unforgettable fishing story starts here. Get off the grid, cast your line in Alaska’s secret streams, and let Captain Remo take care of the rest. Book the Great Alaskan Stream Fishing Adventure today!
Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours
We’re proud to offer the ultimate humpback whale excursion in Alaska with this three-hour tour that can accommodate groups of up to 30. After departing by bus from our hub, you’ll reach Hoonah Harbor to board our esteemed Tail Chaser or Hoonah Bound vessels with heated cabins and viewing decks that will bring you to a humpback whale feeding and migration location near Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay.
Your whale watching booking comes with:
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3 hours, starting at $185, accommodating groups up to 30 guests
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A $100 whale-sighting guarantee
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A 10% discount at the Oso Gordito food truck
Passionate local experts:
This incredible whale watching adventure is led by a team of local captains that includes Paul, Brian, and Billy. Our captains bring guests directly to the spots where whales are most active. That means a high likelihood of catching these majestic creatures diving, blowing, and fluking with their tails up! Some lucky guests also see breaching or cooperative feeding among the whales.
What our clients say about us:
Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours is an option that’s among our most highly recommended! One guest pointed out that they appreciated how informative Captain Paul was as he made sure the group saw plenty of whales. Guests also applaud how close and personal these encounters feel.
Wilderness Tour And Brown Bear Search
This three-hour tour for up to 10 people brings you into the thick of Chichagof Island/Tongass National Forest to see the highest density of brown bears per square mile on Earth!
Things to know about the tour:
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Success rates with bear sightings are highly seasonally dependent because of factors like hibernation, mating, and salmon-run feeding behavior.
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The span from May through September is considered peak.
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Expect to see bears lounging in the tidal flats or fighting for dominance in anticipation of mating season.
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Cost starts at $140+ per guest.
- Our excursion is offered at a special discount for LEO, military members, and teachers.
The dedicated local experts who make every adventure unforgettable:
Cora, Gary, Luke, and the other guides leading our epic bear search tour bring deep knowledge of island life to this experience. We are proud to share that we are able to offer this rare Southeast Alaska excursion in the untouched wilderness of Tongass National Forest through a special permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service.
What our clients say about this tour:
Our guests are awestruck by this experience. One reviewer commented that Cora was extremely knowledgeable about area wildlife and told many interesting wildlife stories before sharing that they were able to see an adult coastal brown bear and two Sitka black-tailed deer during their time. Another guest shared that they saw five bears while on an excursion with Cora. Other guests share that Luke was highly personable as he showed them all over the island.
Uncover the secret lives of brown bears in Southeast Alaska! Book our popular Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search for the ultimate wildlife viewing experience in North America.
Saltwater Fishing Adventure
This three-hour tour is perfect for up to six anglers looking for an incredible day on the waters that inspired the most famous salmon cannery in the state. Step aboard the Silver Spoon — a 36-foot custom aluminum catamaran — and try your hand at beating the record at the very site of the record halibut catch of 440 pounds.
Here’s what you can expect:
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Spend 3 hours fishing on the nutrient-rich waters of Icy Strait with up to 6 anglers.
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Fish for halibut and salmon in one of Alaska’s most legendary fishing grounds
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All fishing gear and bait included
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Heated cabin and marine head onboard for your comfort
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Price starts at $320 per angler
Do note that Icy Strait Shore Excursions strictly follows NOAA retention-day restrictions with no retention Tuesdays.
Meet the man who knows these waters better than anyone:
We’re pleased and proud to have this fishing tour led by Captain Billy. A Tlingit local of Hoonah, Captain Billy learned fishing from his father, grandfather, and uncles in these same waters where you’ll be throwing your hooks down with his guidance.
Good to know: All fishing activities require an Alaskan fishing license. You can prepare by getting yours from our local sporting goods store ahead of your excursion to save time on your excursion day.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of the very best halibut fishing trips and small group tours in Alaska! Book your chance to fish under the tutelage of a Tlingit local with our Saltwater Fishing Adventure today!
Kayak Adventure
Seeing the water from a cruise ship isn’t enough! There’s only one way to truly feel the stillness of an Alaskan wilderness — and it starts with a paddle. Spend three straight hours paddling Port Frederick with this beginner-friendly excursion.
What to expect on this tour:
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We provide all of the safety gear and basic instruction for $180 per person.
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Double kayaks are available.
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As you glide, you may spot eagles, sea otters, sea lions, deer, whales, and bears on the beach
Meet your guide:
Cody is a Hoonah-raised guide with 10+ years on these waters. Cody brings ACA Certified Guide Instructor, Red Cross EMT, and Lifeguard Instructor statuses to your experience. You are in excellent hands with Cody, a highly experienced and certified guide who knows the waters of Port Frederick intimately.
Good to know: The waters of Port Frederick are generally very calm. However, we’ll still start you off with basic instructions on how to paddle to ensure a confident experience.
Don’t miss your chance to kayak as part of an Alaska cruise experience! Book your spot on our popular Kayak Adventure today!
Whales, Wildlife & Drones
We promise you’ve never experienced shore excursions like this before! Yes, we bring you into the Alaskan wilderness with a little help from technology. During this three-hour adventure, you’ll board a heated-cabin boat near Point Adolphus/Icy Strait that features a live drone-footage broadcast to ensure not even a second of wildlife viewing of humpback whales is lost.
Here’s what you can expect:
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This experience gives you stunning views of orca pods and whales from above and below the surface.
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Guests can purchase a USB copy of their drone footage for $25.
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The booking cost per guest is $210+.
Meet your expert guide:
Captain Josh is a USA-certified drone pilot and experienced local captain who coordinates with other boats to locate humpback whales. Captain Josh maxes this adventure out at 14 guests to be able to offer an intimate experience with personalized attention.
Pro Tip: We recommend bringing your own video camera even if you plan to purchase your drone footage because drone views are additions to your experience instead of replacements for your actual vantage point of the humpback whales.
Don’t miss the chance to combine raw Alaskan nature with cutting-edge technology. Book your spot on Whales, Wildlife & Drones today!
Hoonah Alaska Tours Put All The Excitement Of The Last Frontier At Your Fingertips
We’re honored to bring Icy Strait excursions and small group tours showcasing the splendor of Hoonah to our guests season after season. Our on-the-water and shore excursions let you spot bald eagles, marvel at whale watching, see sea otters and sea lions, and get closer to the lives of real Alaskan bears than you ever thought possible.
We’ve worked tirelessly to be able to offer you fulfilling experiences for saltwater and stream fishing, kayaking, drone-enhanced whale watching, guaranteed whale tours, and bear-country exploration all through one local operator. Rest assured that we’re only able to do this because of our close connections with the local culture and governing authorities in Southeast Alaska. This is the home we respect and cherish. It’s our honor to share it with you.
Don’t forget that Icy Strait Shore Excursions offers the exclusive Return Anytime Shuttle Pass on five of six tours. This means you can enjoy a flexible return-to-ship shuttle if you’re a cruise passenger traveling between downtown Hoonah and the Port of Icy Strait Point. While standard round-trip shuttles operate on a tight schedule, your anytime pass lets you explore the local town on your own time without worrying about missing the ship’s departure time.
Let us help you remember why the world is an amazing adventure waiting to be discovered. Book the excursion of your dreams in Alaska with Icy Strait Shore Excursions.
