Set on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point brings you to a rugged and remote stretch of southeast Alaska, where Hoonah (Alaska’s largest Tlingit village) sits between old-growth forests, a glacier-carved coastline and some of the most whale-populated waters in the Pacific.

A popular stop along many Alaska cruise itineraries, Icy Strait Point gives you room to build your day around what interests you the most — the water, the forest, the wildlife or the stories behind it all.

Key takeaways

Icy Strait Point brings together whale watching, rainforest trails and Tlingit cultural experiences in one walkable port on Chichagof Island.

Princess excursions from Icy Strait Point make it easier to experience the area’s wildlife, mountain views and local heritage with pre-arranged timing and expert guidance.

Planning helps you make the most of your port day: bring layers, reserve popular excursions early and leave room for Alaska’s wild moments to unfold.

Things to do in Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point gives you more than one way into the landscape. You can follow the shoreline, head into the rainforest, rise above Hoonah Mountain or spend time with local culture, while Princess excursions from Icy Strait Point keep the day effortlessly adventurous.

1. Watch humpback whales and marine wildlife in Icy Strait

Icy Strait is one of Alaska’s most dependable whale watching areas, thanks in part to the food-rich waters near Point Adolphus. Humpbacks feed here each summer — often sharing the water with orcas, Steller sea lions, harbor seals and other aquatic life. And they aren’t at all camera shy; from sudden water spouts and fluke slaps to massive full-body breaches, whale sightings are frequent and dramatic.

The Princess Whales & Wildlife Cruise takes guests aboard a stable catamaran for 2.5 hours of searching with an onboard naturalist. The warm main cabin is a welcome bonus, though the outdoor deck is where the cold air makes every whale sighting feel even more vivid.

A humpback whale breaching dramatically out of the ocean near Icy Strait, Alaska, its barnacle-covered body and white pectoral fin twisting mid-air with water spraying around it and dense green forest visible on shore in the background.
Humpback whales put on a show like no other.

2. Take in panoramic views from the Mountain Top Gondola

The SkyPeak Gondola climbs through the Tongass National Forest to the upper reaches of Hoonah Mountain. At the top, guests can look across Icy Strait, Port Frederick and (on clear days) out into Glacier Bay. The SkyPeak Gondola & Mountaintop Forest Excursion adds an open-air guided tram ride through Alaska’s expansive rainforests, while guides share the ecological and cultural ties between the Tlingit people and the land that helps define them.

A red gondola cable car ascends through tall evergreen trees above Icy Strait Point, Alaska, with a cruise ship docked far below on the calm water and islands visible in the misty distance.
Rise above it all on the Icy Strait Point gondola for views that stop you in your tracks.

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3. Soar above the rainforest on the ZipRider

The Icy Strait Point ZipRider® turns those panoramic views into motion, carrying you from Hoonah Mountain down toward the shoreline in one sweeping descent. Six parallel lines run more than 5,300 feet, so families and friends can ride at the same time while Port Frederick opens below.

Princess’ ZipRider Adventure & SkyPeak Gondola excursion begins with a scenic gondola ride to the summit. From there, you launch in a seated harness from 1,330 feet above sea level, reaching speeds up to 60 mph before a smooth landing near the beach.

Two people zip-lining side by side high above a dense Alaska forest ablaze with orange red and green autumn foliage at Icy Strait Point.
The only way to take in Icy Strait Point's views? At full speed.

4. Look for brown bears in their natural habitat

Chichagof Island is known for one of North America’s highest concentrations of brown bears. Sightings are never something to script — bears missed that memo — but guided tours improve the chances by visiting areas where salmon streams and berry meadows draw wildlife.

The Remote Wildlife & Brown Bear Search tour travels through Hoonah to the Spasski River Valley. Guests walk gravel and boardwalk paths through rainforest and muskeg to exclusive viewing platforms, enjoying the best angles for viewing bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, land otters and bald eagles.

A brown bear walks along a narrow sandy riverbank at the edge of turquoise glacial waters in Alaska, surrounded by lush green shrubs, dense forest and dramatic mountain peaks rising in the background.
Alaska's brown bears roam free, and this is their backyard.

5. Discover Tlingit traditions at the 1912 Hoonah Cannery Museum

The restored cannery connects Icy Strait Point’s maritime past with the living culture of the Huna Tlingit. Exhibits trace salmon canning in southeast Alaska, while port spaces feature native artwork, locally crafted goods and opportunities to learn about regalia, song and storytelling. The Seafood Feast & Tribal Connections excursion brings you to the Heritage Center Theater for song and dance, then continues with shrimp, seasonal crab, corn, potatoes and other savory sides served with a view of Port Frederick.

Weathered fishing nets and yellow buoys piled on a wooden dock outside a rustic red-painted cannery building at Icy Strait Point, Alaska, with pulleys ropes and vintage equipment visible in the outdoor courtyard.
Step back in time at Icy Strait Point's historic cannery and discover Alaska's fishing heritage.

6. Hike rainforest trails and coastal paths

Icy Strait Point is generous to anyone who wants to walk into the landscape rather than simply look at it. Self-guided paths pass through spruce and hemlock forest, along beaches and toward viewpoints where eagles may be seen circling above the shoreline.

The Wilderness Hike excursion takes guests through Hoonah and into the Spasski River Valley in the Tongass National Forest. The two-mile guided hike crosses private Native American-owned lands and rises toward views across Chichagof Island and surrounding waterways.

A narrow wooden boardwalk trail winds through a boggy Alaska meadow of golden grasses and shrubs toward a dense evergreen forest under a dramatic overcast sky.
Follow your footsteps straight into the untamed wilderness of Icy Strait Point.

7. Kayak the protected waters of Port Frederick

Port Frederick’s protected water makes kayaking accessible. The water is typically calm enough for a first-time paddler to feel comfortable, yet wide enough to remind you that you’re moving through one of Alaska’s most wildlife-rich coastal settings. The Icy Strait Kayak Adventure begins with a short walk to the kayak center, where guides provide a safety briefing before you set off in a two-person kayak. As you paddle near Pitt Island and the Hoonah waterfront, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to discover animal life in the waters and along the coast.

Two people paddling a red tandem kayak on calm emerald green water along a rocky shoreline densely lined with towering evergreen trees shrouded in mist in Icy Strait, Alaska.
Paddle through the glassy, mist-shrouded waters of Icy Strait at your own pace.

8. Fish for salmon and halibut on a guided charter

Icy Strait has long been known for productive fishing, with waters that have yielded record-breaking halibut and salmon catches. A guided charter gives you an easy way into the experience, with the gear, local knowledge and timing already handled.

The Princess Halibut Fishing excursion takes small groups aboard a modern cabin cruiser, with a maximum of six guests per boat. This catch-and-release tour provides pole and tackle, while the ride itself may bring sightings of whales, sea lions, porpoises or other Alaska sea life.

A row of deep-sea fishing rods with reels mounted on a charter boat at a misty Alaska harbor with forested hills and low clouds in the background.
Alaska's legendary salmon and halibut are waiting for you to cast a line.

9. Sample fresh Alaska seafood and local flavors

The cannery area is a natural place to taste what these waters are known for. Wild Alaska salmon, halibut and Dungeness crab are specialties in port dining venues, with waterfront views making lunch feel like part of the day’s discovery.

Local Connections: Cooking in Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen with Alaskan Chef turns seafood into a hands-on memory. Watch the catch of the day being filleted, learn grilling techniques from a local chef and leave with recipe cards to help you recreate a taste of Alaska back home.

A person grilling multiple fillets of salmon over a large wood-fired outdoor grill with smoke rising around them and stacked firewood visible below the grate.
Fresh-caught Alaska salmon, open fire, pure perfection.

10. Explore the backcountry by UTV

A UTV ride lets guests reach forest roads and viewpoints beyond Hoonah that would take much longer on foot. It’s a natural fit if you want a sense of Alaska’s rougher terrain with a guide leading the way. The Princess UTV Expedition begins with a scenic ride through Hoonah before guests board 4x4, side-by-side vehicles on the flanks of Hoonah Mountain. Guides lead the small group through forest and valley routes, with stops for photos and driver changes along the way.

A muddy Polaris RZR 1000 side-by-side UTV navigating a rocky off-road trail surrounded by evergreen trees and boulders under a bright blue sky in Alaska.
Tear through Alaska's rugged backcountry by UTV.

Planning your visit to Icy Strait Point Alaska

A port day here feels bigger than the map suggests. Between the forest, the water and the short hop into Hoonah, a little planning can help you meet the rugged side of Alaska without making the day overly complicated.

  • Dress for changing weather: The weather in Southeast Alaska can shift quickly, even in summer. Bring layers, a waterproof outer shell and sturdy walking shoes for docks and trails.
  • Book popular excursions early: Excursions such as whale watching, bear viewing and the zipline can fill in advance. Make early reservations for the excursions that you’re most interested in.
  • Watch your departure time: Icy Strait Point is easy to explore, but some experiences take you onto the water, into the forest or up Hoonah Mountain. Keep your ship’s all-aboard time in mind, especially if you plan to explore independently. Princess shore excursions include pre-arranged timing and return-to-ship planning, so you won’t have to keep checking your watch.
  • Be patient with wildlife: Alaska’s animals follow their own patterns. Guides know where to look, but part of the experience is staying present long enough for the wildlife to reveal itself.

Explore cruises to Icy Strait Point

With the right layers and a little room in your schedule, an Icy Strait Point cruise gives you the space and peace of mind to discover Alaska’s wild side. Princess delivers a seamless experience, with itineraries that connect wildlife, culture and coastal scenery across multiple ports. Onboard naturalists, native-led excursions and thoughtful dining help bring Alaska into focus before you step ashore.

Cruise to Icy Strait Point with Princess, and make more room for the moments you’ll remember.

Things to do in Icy Strait Point Alaska FAQs