
Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 193 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait worth booking?
Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait is a 3-hour experience in Hoonah, United States, from $314 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 193 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (193)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $314 per person
Hoonah Whale Tours is a family owned whale watching company that operates out of Hoonah, AK. When taking this tour you will be on a small group, up to 14 passengers, boat tour that goes out into Icy Strait. During the tour will you get the chance to see all sorts of Southeast Alaska wildlife, including bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters, sometimes brown bear and orcas and of course humpback whales! Our tours last between 3 and 3.5 hours and we guarantee you'll see whales or you money back. The boat is a 14 passenger catamaran, with a walk around deck, heated cabin, and a bathroom on board. We also provide snacks and beverages.
What you get
About this experience
Hoonah Whale Tours is a family owned whale watching company that operates out of Hoonah, AK. When taking this tour you will be on a small group, up to 14 passengers, boat tour that goes out into Icy Strait. During the tour will you get the chance to see all sorts of Southeast Alaska wildlife, including bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters, sometimes brown bear and orcas and of course humpback whales! Our tours last between 3 and 3.5 hours and we guarantee you'll see whales or you money back. The boat is a 14 passenger catamaran, with a walk around deck, heated cabin, and a bathroom on board. We also provide snacks and beverages.
What's included
Included
- Light refreshments
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- Snacks
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Local taxes
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- gratuities
What you'll see and do
Hoonah Whale Tours
When out on our whale watching tour you will be in Icy Strait (body of water) You will get to see humpback whales (guaranteed!), sea lion, sea otter, and bald eagles. You even have the chance of seeing brown bear along the beaches, orcas and puffins flying by.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hoonah Whale Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given a full refund
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 193 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
193 verified traveler reviews for Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Whale of a Tale !
My family and I had an extraordinary whale watching experience with Hoonah Whale Tours at the end of August, 2026. Captain Jordan was awesome! Friendly, knowledgeable, a thoughtful gentleman. His aluminum cattarmaran is a beautiful boat that is extremely comfortable and designed specifically for whale watching. The boat design and features are especially important to note since we went out on a "4 sea day": with wavy waters but our trip was still smooth enough that no one got sea sick. Jordan got us to see humpback whales up close, being very playful. Attached are a few photos from that morning. My camera captured some beautiful images. But, to be there, in the presence of these majestic mammals, is a feeling that for us was "life changing", and truly unforgettable. Thank you Jordan and Hoonah Whale Tours for making our trip to Alaska truly amazing!!! We are now home with stories to tell and photos and video to relive them : )
via Tripadvisor
Best Whale Watching Tour!
This was our favorite tour. Jordan was amazing getting us on the whales. We saw humpbacks & Orcas! The tour was relaxed the boat was comfortable, the ride was smooth. You could walk all the way around the boat for the perfect view. This small group tour was everything we hoped for & more. We will use Jordan & his crew again!
via Tripadvisor
An excellent tour, and a cheaper alternative to tours offered on the cruise. You are so supporting a local business.
We loved this tour. We didn't follow the pack of other boats but found different whales and had lovely quiet experiences observing them. We also spent time watching sea lions and sea otters and saw some bald eagles too. Pick up from near our cruise ship was helpful too, and directions were clear. Perhaps a bit more explanation about the things we saw and their behaviour would have made it even better.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome tour
Absolutely perfect! Captain delivered, saw so many whales. Even saw two bears!! Coffee cocoa and snacks were included. Booked this tour after reading other reviews.
via Viator
Much better than cruise excursions!
What an incredible experience! From the moment of pick up to the moment of drop off, we had a great time. We saw orcas, humpbacks, purposes, and sea otters. Do not hesitate to book with this tour operator. They are wonderful! The cruise excursions had so many people, and we were lucky to only have 9.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 68
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hoonah.
How much does Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait cost?
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Prices start at $314 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hoonah usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hoonah is not rushed.
Is Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 193 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Hoonah, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait?
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Around 68 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hoonah can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hoonah and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hoonah within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hoonah?
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Hoonah, AK packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Hoonah by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Hoonah experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kayak Tours, Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point, "Catch of the day" Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hoonah?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Hoonah, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hoonah?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait?
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Included: Light refreshments; Local guide; Driver/guide; Snacks; and Port pickup and drop-off. Not included: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase); and gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Hoonah. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait?
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Across 193 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include organization, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
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