Icy Strait Whale Watching Tour: 6-Passenger Catamaran

Alaska custom catamaran whale watching tour with humpbacks, orcas, and coastal bears in rich ecosystem

This is a 3 hour 45 minute whale watching tour in Icy Strait, Alaska, aboard a heated 6-passenger catamaran with an enclosed cabin, restroom and outdoor viewing deck. You get picked up from your cruise ship port and returned by van, with an English-speaking guide included. The operator guarantees whale sightings or offers a full refund. The small group size and extra time on the water are designed to let you encounter the area's full range of marine wildlife — humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, seals, porpoises, sea otters and bald eagles.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and wildlife tour

• Meet at cruise ship port
• Van ride through Hoonah to harbor
• Board whale watching catamaran
• Explore Icy Strait and watch wildlife
• Return by van to cruise ship port

The Experience

The catamaran itself is built for this work: an enclosed heated cabin keeps you warm while the 360-degree walk-around deck lets you move to wherever the whales surface. A restroom is on board. The vessel holds a maximum of 6 passengers whether you book it privately or join a mixed group, which means the deck never feels crowded and the guide can spend time with each person watching. Icy Strait connects Southeast Alaska's protected inside waters to the open Pacific, and the nutrient-rich fjords make it one of the most productive ecosystems on the coast. Humpback whales travel here every summer after breeding in Hawaii and Mexico, often returning to the same feeding grounds year after year.

Your day starts with pickup at the cruise ship port. A van ride of about 5 minutes takes you through Hoonah to the local harbor where the catamaran is docked — on the way you'll often spot bald eagles and get views of the surrounding landscape. Once on the water, you have time to watch for humpbacks, orcas (killer whales), sea lions, seals, porpoises, sea otters and coastal brown bears along the shoreline. The operator designed this as one of the longest whale watching tours in Icy Strait specifically to give you the best chance of encountering the area's full range of wildlife. After your time on the water, the van returns you to your cruise ship docking area.

What’s included

• Cruise ship pickup and return van transportation.
• English-speaking guide.
• restroom on board.
• enclosed heated cabin with indoor and outdoor seating.
• 360-degree viewing deck.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vivid Endeavors

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a small group experience — the 6-passenger limit keeps the deck uncrowded and lets the guide give you real attention. The extra-long time on the water and the whale sighting guarantee make it worth choosing over shorter tours if you're serious about seeing orcas and humpbacks, not just hoping to spot them.

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Top questions

What whales and wildlife might I see in Icy Strait?

Humpback whales are the main draw — they feed in Icy Strait's nutrient-rich waters every summer. You may also see orcas (killer whales), sea lions, seals, porpoises, sea otters, bald eagles and coastal brown bears along the shoreline. The operator guarantees whale sightings or offers a full refund.

How long is the tour and what's included in the time?

The excursion is 3 hours 45 minutes from pickup to drop-off, which includes meeting you at the cruise ship port, the van ride to the harbor, time on the water and the return van ride to your ship. The actual time on the water is the bulk of that window.

Will I be on the boat with a large group?

No. The catamaran holds a maximum of 6 passengers whether you book privately or join others, so the deck stays uncrowded and relaxed. An English-speaking guide is with you the entire time.

How does pickup work if I'm on a cruise ship?

The operator picks you up directly from your cruise ship port and returns you there by van. A calendar on the Vivid Endeavors website lists which specific cruise ships are accommodated, so you can confirm your ship before booking.

What's the catamaran like for comfort in Alaska weather?

The vessel has an enclosed heated cabin for warmth, indoor and outdoor seating, a restroom on board and a 360-degree walk-around viewing deck so you can move outside to watch whales without losing shelter nearby.

Why is this tour longer than other whale watching options in Icy Strait?

The operator designed the 3 hour 45 minute excursion to be one of the longest whale watching tours in the area. The extra time on the water increases your chances of encountering the full diversity of marine wildlife Icy Strait has to offer, from humpbacks and orcas to sea otters and coastal bears.