Icy Strait Point, Alaska: The Ultimate Guide to This Unforgettable Cruise Port
If there's one port on our Alaska cruise itinerary that completely stole our hearts, it's Icy Strait Point. Tucked just outside the small fishing town of Hoonah, this port delivers everything you picture when you dream of an Alaskan adventure — soaring mountain views, incredible wildlife, and a little bit of local flavor you won't find anywhere else. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Where Is Icy Strait Point?
Icy Strait Point is located just outside Hoonah, Alaska, a small and welcoming fishing community on Chichagof Island. It's one of the more unique stops on an Alaskan cruise because it's Alaska Native-owned, giving visitors a chance to experience genuine Tlingit culture alongside the natural beauty the region is known for.
Ride the World's Largest Zipline... or Take the Scenic Gondola
Icy Strait Point is home to the ZipRider, one of the longest and fastest ziplines in the world, dropping riders down the mountainside at incredible speed. If ziplining isn't your thing (or you just want the views without the adrenaline), the gondola ride up the mountain is just as much of a highlight. The panoramic views of the Alaskan coastline, forest, and water are worth the ride alone. Note: There are two gondola’s - One is green and free, it’s a short ride that takes you to the area where you check in for most excursions. The other one is red and requires a fee, this one is a 6-mile roundtrip and affords you the beautiful 360° views.
Whale Watching Right Off the Coast
Icy Strait itself is one of the richest feeding grounds for humpback whales in Southeast Alaska, which means whale watching excursions here have some of the best sighting odds on the entire cruise route. We headed out onto the water hoping to catch a glimpse and were not disappointed — watching a humpback breach in the wild is something photos truly don't do justice. Just off the coast, we also spotted a massive colony of sea lions floating together, barking, and putting on a show for anyone passing by. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's honestly one of the most entertaining wildlife stops of the whole trip.
Check out available shore excursions for your cruise here! Here is a Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise available as well!
Trying the Infamous Crabby Mary
No visit to Icy Strait Point is complete without trying the Crabby Mary from the Crab House — a bold, spicy Bloody Mary loaded with fresh local crab. It's become a bit of a legend among cruisers, and we knew we couldn't leave without giving it a try ourselves. Spoiler: it lives up to the hype.
Final Thoughts
Icy Strait Point ended up being one of our favorite ports of the entire cruise — a perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, culture, and local food. If it's on your Alaska itinerary, don't skip it.
Want to see it all in action? Watch the full video linked below, on our channel, Reyes Family Adventures!
