A private Alaska Native-owned port built around adventure — dock steps from the world's largest ZipRider, brown bear habitat, and the real Tlingit village of Hoonah just up the road.
Ships dock at the private Icy Strait Point pier on Chichagof Island — no tender, and you step straight into the port's adventure complex.
💡 Pro move: Book bear-viewing and ZipRider slots before sailing — capacity is limited and they sell out on busy days.
Icy Strait Point has its own purpose-built cruise pier — the majority of ships dock directly here without a tender.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Icy Strait Point private pier, Hoonah📍 | Docked |
| Small expedition ships | May anchor and tender into the port area📍 | Tendered |
Icy Strait Point runs on its own excursion ecosystem — book the big experiences before you sail, then fill the rest of the day at the port itself or in Hoonah.
Six side-by-side tracks drop roughly 1,300 feet of vertical over about 5,330 feet to sea level. You ride in a seated harness and hit up to 60 mph above the Alaskan rainforest. A bucket-list Alaska shore excursion.
Find ZipRider bookings →A guided tour by boat and/or vehicle into prime brown bear habitat around Hoonah. The area around Icy Strait has one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in Alaska — sightings are common, especially in summer near salmon streams.
Find bear viewing tours →Icy Strait is one of Southeast Alaska's premier humpback whale feeding grounds. Boat tours depart from the port and spend 2–3 hours in the strait. Orcas, Steller sea lions, and Dall's porpoise are also common.
Find whale watching tours →The port is built on land owned by the Huna Totem Corporation, and the nearby village of Hoonah is a real Alaska Native community. Visit the Cultural Center, see totem poles, and get a sense of Tlingit life that most Alaska ports can't offer.
Find cultural tours →Sea kayak in the protected waters off the port or hike the Icy Strait Point Nature Trail through old-growth Sitka spruce forest behind the cannery. Both are unhurried alternatives to the adrenaline options.
Find kayak and hiking tours →Walking options are limited but rewarding — the Icy Strait Point Nature Trail behind the cannery is the most accessible nature walk, or hike the shore path into Hoonah itself for village life.
A gentle forested loop trail starting behind the cannery, winding through old-growth rainforest near the shore of Icy Strait. Look for bald eagles overhead and Sitka black-tailed deer in the brush.
📍 Open in MapsSkip the shuttle and walk the paved shore path from the port into Hoonah village (about 20–30 minutes). Passes the cannery area and the small boat harbor, and ends at the center of a quiet Tlingit town. Take the shuttle back.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F / 2°C | 30°F / -1°C | 19 | 8:35 AM | 3:47 PM |
| Feb | 34°F / 1°C | 27°F / -3°C | 15 | 7:32 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Mar | 38°F / 3°C | 30°F / -1°C | 16 | 7:16 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Apr | 45°F / 7°C | 35°F / 2°C | 17 | 5:49 AM | 8:15 PM |
| May | 54°F / 12°C | 43°F / 6°C | 14 | 4:36 AM | 9:21 PM |
| Jun | 58°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 17 | 3:57 AM | 10:07 PM |
| Jul | 62°F / 17°C | 53°F / 12°C | 16 | 4:22 AM | 9:51 PM |
| Aug | 62°F / 17°C | 54°F / 12°C | 18 | 5:26 AM | 8:44 PM |
| Sep | 56°F / 13°C | 48°F / 9°C | 19 | 6:32 AM | 7:19 PM |
| Oct | 48°F / 9°C | 41°F / 5°C | 19 | 7:38 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C | 34°F / 1°C | 20 | 7:50 AM | 3:41 PM |
| Dec | 36°F / 2°C | 30°F / -1°C | 20 | 8:43 AM | 3:10 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
A shuttle bus runs between Icy Strait Point and the nearby town of Hoonah (~1.7 miles). Round trip is $10 per person and includes a brief town tour during the ride.
Local taxis serve the short run from the port to Hoonah (about 3 minutes). Fares run $7–$10 per person each way.
A complimentary green Transporter Gondola connects different areas within the Icy Strait Point complex. Useful for reaching attractions at the far end of the port.
A separate red gondola takes visitors up to Sky Peak for panoramic views. This is a paid attraction, approximately $50 per person.
The town of Hoonah is about 1.7–2 miles from the port — walkable in 30–40 minutes along a flat road with scenic views.
Upcoming cruises that call at Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.