Things to Do in Icy Strait Point & Hoonah, Alaska
Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, Alaska are filled with stunning natural beauty and endless outdoor activities. There are plenty of fun things to see and do in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah.
Are you looking for an off-the-beaten path adventure that will take you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life?
Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, Alaska are the perfect destination! Icy Strait Point is a cruise port owned and operated by native Alaskans, while the town of Hoonah is the largest Tlingit village in Alaska.
From bear viewing and whale watching to kayaking and zip-lining, this part of Alaska offers an incredible array of experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point & Hoonah, Alaska
Take a step off the beaten path and explore the fun things to do in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah.
See Brown Bears
Icy Strait Point and Hoonah are located on Chichagof Island, known as “Bear Island” for having the highest concentration of bears per square mile of any place on earth (1-2 brown bears per square mile).
This is one of the best places to see bears on an Alaska cruise! Head to the Spasski River where the bears like to feast on salmon.
During our bear excursion, we saw two bears on the river!
Visit the Restored Cannery and Museum
From 1912 to the 1950s, this area was the site of a large salmon cannery for the Hoonah Packing Co. In 2001, the local Huna Totem Corp. bought the cannery and restored the facility to create the cruise port that is now Icy Strait Point.
You can still visit the old cannery. It now houses a museum and mid-1930s cannery line display, local arts and craft shops, and restaurants.
Ride the Gondola
Icy Strait Point has two gondola lifts that take you to different parts of the port.
The Transporter Gondola runs between the main Ocean Landing cruise ship dock and the Wilderness Landing cruise ship dock, and it’s free to ride. This 4-minute flight takes you over their Adventure Park & Ropes Course and is a nice relaxing ride. We even saw a deer in the clearing when we rode it!
The Skyglider Gondola runs between the Wilderness Landing and the Sky Peak mountaintop area, and is a paid ride. It’s a 7-minute flight up to the mountaintop where you can hike to a hidden lake, get some great views, and ride their famous ZipRider.
Ride the World’s Largest ZipRider
The ZipRider is a popular activity at Icy Strait Point.
Made up of six 5,330-foot ziplines (that drop 1,330 feet in elevation), this thrilling ride launches you 60 mph down the mountain.
It’s a race down to the bottom where you’ll be stopped by break-activated landing gear, so you don’t even have to worry about stopping yourself (which is good because you’re literally going a break-neck speeds!).
Go Whale Watching
Whale watching is a great activity at Icy Straight Point and Hoonah. Icy Strait and the Point Adolphus area are home to Alaska’s largest summer population of humpback whales
In addition to humpback whales, you should also keep an eye out for orca, sea lions, seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and bears.
Spotting a whale is so common in this area that most tours guarantee a sighting or they’ll refund your money!
Eat Around Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point has plenty of places to eat around the port.
The Crab House serves king, snow, and Dungeness crab (Dungeness crab is only served fresh and when in season). The Cookhouse Restaurant serves fresh local seafood with waterside dining where you may even spot a whale. And Duck Point Smokehouse is a beachfront restaurant serving smoked salmon and house-made specialties.
Top Icy Strait Point / Hoonah Tours
With so much to do, Icy Strait Point and Hoonah can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top Hoonah tours to help you make the most of your time in this small Alaskan town.
Mapping Out Your Day in Icy Strait Point & Hoonah
Ready to explore Icy Strait Point and Hoonah’s top attractions? Use the map below to help plan out your time exploring Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, Alaska.
With its rich history, exciting adventures, and wildlife-spotting opportunities, Icy Strait Point is sure to captivate and enchant you.
I hope this list of must-see attractions helps you plan the perfect vacation to Icy Strait Point and Hoonah!
Where to Stay in Hoonah
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Hoonah, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Top Hotel: Icy Strait Lodge
- Great Value: Port Frederick Lodge
- Unique Stay: Spacious Hoonah House
More Things to Do in Alaska
Make the most of your vacation to Alaska! Check out these other Alaska travel guides to plan your perfect trip:
- Where to View Bears on Your Alaska Cruise
- Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska: 1 Day Itinerary
- 3 Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska: 1 Day Itinerary
- 4 Things to Do in Skagway, Alaska
- How to Get to Anchorage Airport from Seward, Alaska
- What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: Ultimate Guide
Ready to visit Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, Alaska? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Hoonah using Tripadvisor.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite things to do in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, Alaska? Let me know in the comments below!
![33+ Christmas Lights in Atlanta You Won’t Want to Miss [2023]](https://paigemindsthegap.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Christmas-lights-2-768x527.jpg)
