Icy Strait Point: Small Group Whale Watching & Limousine Pickup

Summary

Whale watching from Hoonah in small groups with local captain

You’ll ride in style from your cruise ship to Hoonah’s harbor by limousine before boarding a cozy boat with just a handful of fellow travelers. Expect close-up moments with humpback whales (sometimes orcas too), sea otters drifting by, eagles overhead—and plenty of time to soak up Alaska’s wild silence between sightings.

What’s the experience like?

We were already laughing as we climbed into the limousine outside the cruise port at Icy Strait Point — not exactly what I pictured for a whale watching day trip from Hoonah, but it set the tone. The drive to the harbor was quick, maybe ten minutes, but I remember how our driver pointed out a bald eagle perched on a streetlight, just casually watching us. The air smelled sharp and salty, and my shoes made this sticky sound on the wet dock planks. Our captain — I think his name was Mike? — had that weathered Alaskan calm and a dry sense of humor. He told us to grab coffee if we needed it; “It’ll be warmer out there than you think.” He was right.

The boat was way cozier than I expected for a whale watching tour. Heated cabin, bench seats, and just enough people that you could actually hear each other talk (I counted twelve of us). As we pulled away from Hoonah’s harbor, someone spotted sea otters floating belly-up like they owned the place. The water was glassy except for our wake. Mike slowed down near some kelp beds and pointed out a brown bear lumbering along the shore — honestly, I almost missed it because I was distracted by the cold biting my cheeks. Then he cut the engine and we drifted in silence for a minute. That’s when you really notice how quiet Alaska can get; just gulls and that soft slap of water against fiberglass.

And then — not even thirty minutes in — someone gasped and there it was: humpback whales surfacing maybe fifty yards off our bow. You could hear them before you saw them, these deep whooshes as they exhaled. It’s hard to describe how big they feel until you’re that close. Mike rattled off facts about migration routes and feeding habits while we all scrambled for photos (I fumbled mine so badly). At one point he joked about our “catch of the day” being better than any salmon dinner in town. We also saw porpoises darting around, plus an eagle swooping low enough that someone swore it winked at her — probably wishful thinking.

I still think about that moment when everything went quiet except for those whales breathing just beyond arm’s reach. There were snacks passed around (trail mix mostly), but honestly nobody cared much about eating with all that going on outside. On the way back to Hoonah, everyone seemed quieter — tired in a good way, like after swimming or hiking all day. The limousine was waiting again at the dock; felt almost surreal stepping back into something so fancy after three hours of wind and salt spray. If you’re looking for a whale watching tour from Icy Strait Point that doesn’t feel crowded or rushed…well, this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching and wildlife tour

• Arrive 30 minutes before departure
• Pickup from cruise ship port
• Drive 5-10 minutes to harbor
• Board 38-foot Power Cat vessel
• Watch for whales and wildlife
• Enjoy heated cabin and viewing deck
• Use onboard restroom if needed
• Return to cruise ship port

Top questions

How many people are on this whale watching tour?

The tour runs with 6 to 16 passengers per boat—much smaller groups than most competitors.

Is pickup included from my cruise ship at Icy Strait Point?

Yes, pickup is included just outside your cruise ship facility—arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the whale watching tour last?

The full experience lasts about 3 hours including pickup and drop-off time.

What kind of wildlife might we see besides whales?

You may spot porpoises, sea otters, eagles, seals, brown bears, deer—and possibly orcas.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes—there’s a marine head (restroom) available on the vessel.

Will I get seasick on this boat?

The power catamaran rolls 78% less than traditional monohulls—seasickness is rare.

Are snacks provided during the tour?

Yes—snacks are included during your whale watching trip.

Can children join this tour?

No children under 5 years old are allowed for safety reasons.

Is this tour accessible for travelers with limited mobility?

No—the tour requires walking 10-20 minutes through port to reach pickup location and isn’t limited mobility accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes limousine pickup and drop-off right outside your cruise ship at Icy Strait Point, easy transfer to Hoonah harbor for boarding a heated power catamaran with comfortable bench seating (and restroom), local captain guiding your small group every step of the way, plus snacks and all fees covered—just remember to arrive 30 minutes early so you don’t miss your spot.