Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour in Hoonah
Hoonah, United States

Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour

Outty Ranking 51 3.9 · 12 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $326

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.9/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour worth booking?

Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour is a 3-hour experience in Hoonah, United States, from $326 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
3.9/5 (12)
Duration
3 hours
From
$326 per person

One of the most popular shore tours when cruising in Alaska is our premier whale watching tour at icy Strait.  This tour will not just offer whales but also the possibility of bears, deer, coastal ducks and geese.

What you get

    About this experience

    One of the most popular shore tours when cruising in Alaska is our premier whale watching tour at icy Strait.  This tour will not just offer whales but also the possibility of bears, deer, coastal ducks and geese.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water and a light snack
    • Roundtrip transportation from Icy Strait Point gates
    • Snacks
    • Restrooms onboard boat
    • Bottled water and a light snack are included.

    Not included

    • Food and drinks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Alaska

      Our Whale watching adventure starts with your transport picking you up just outside the Icy Strait Point gates.  We travel along Shaman Point to our charter boat. During the drive it is not uncommon to see some of the local Alaskan wildlife from Brown Bears, blacktail deer, puffins, swans, coastal ducks, geese and bald eagles. Once onboard our small charter the water offers other delights from orca, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, and seals in addition to the feeding humpbacks.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Hoonah

      The nutrient rich waters of Glacier Bay attract humpback whales to Hoonah/Icy Strait in large numbers to feed on the nutrient rich waters.  They arrive every summer starting in May and head back south again in September for the winter. Humpback whales are large baleen whales that can reach over 50 feet in length and weigh as much as 30-50 tons. Humpbacks are amazingly active and typical whale sightings will include diving, blows, and flukes (tails). Observing humpbacks practice bubble-net feeding is a real treat and a truly thrilling experience.  The charter boat is built for speed and comfort, and perfectly suited for travel along Alaska's waterways. Guests will stay warm and dry with viewing decks and heated cabins as they experience the wonder and beauty of our whale watching trip. We will return to the docks and transport you back to Icy Strait Point with plenty of time to board your ship or explore downtown Hoonah.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    My Holidays Online

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time

    Photos

    Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour in Hoonah, photo 2Humpback Whale TourIcy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour in Hoonah, photo 4Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour in Hoonah, photo 5Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour in Hoonah, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    12 verified traveler reviews for Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    8
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    3
    Sort
    ramonahI2932BE · August 2026

    Scam! Scam!! Scam!!! Do not book with this company! They are a third party company and double prices.

    This is a third party company who charges twice the price for the company they book you with. We were told would be a small boat with no more than 15 people, would be given snack and water. We were placed on larger boat with 30-40 people, no snack or water. We were charged $320.00 each but the tour company we were placed with only charges $165.00 per person. The company we ended up with, Icy Straight Whale Adventure did a great job, was just not the small party experience we paid for. Don’t let these people scam you and run away with your money. After they get your money they don’t return texts, emails and telephone number is not a number you can call.

    via Tripadvisor

    Ramona_H · August 2026

    Scam! Scam!! Scam!!! They will steal your money! Do not book with this company!

    DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY! They third party book with a legit company Icy Straight Whale Adventures which Give an excellent tour but they charge you twice what it is with the actual tour company. We paid $320.00 per person for what was supposed to be a $165.00 tour. Advertising said we would be on small boat, less than 15 people. We were put on larger boat, probably 30-40 people. We were told we would have snack and water, we did not get that. Go directly to Icy Straight Whale Adventure to book, and you will get a great tour without being ripped off by this company. They are in contact until you reach out with a problem, then won’t answer texts, email, and phone number doesn’t work. Don’t be scammed like we were!

    via Viator

    EileenF · July 2026

    Amazing whales

    This was the most amazing part of our whole trip. Highly recommend! They were diligent about making sure we got MORE than our money’s worth!

    via Viator

    Laurie_B · July 2025

    Don't book this trip!!!!!!

    We waited and waited and no one ever showed up. I had sent multiple messages with no response. Wasted an hour of our short visit waiting.

    via Viator

    MATTHEW_H · June 2024

    Wonderful wildlife and special stories!

    Our captain was from the Tlingit nation and her first mate was a marine biologist. We were able to see whales, sea otters, and sea lions. I think my favorite part was the stories the captain shared from the Tlingit nation. I felt privileged to be able to listen to these wonderful stories. It was an excellent time!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 51

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)57
    Review evidence (18% weight)42
    Booking momentum (14% weight)32
    Value for money (12% weight)55
    Listing quality (10% weight)61
    Local standing (8% weight)12
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hoonah.

    How much does Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $326 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 Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour 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 Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hoonah, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour?

    +

    Around 4 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?

    +

    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 Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour 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?

    +

    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, "Catch of the day" Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah, Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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