Whale watching tour Hoonah: Humpback whales guaranteed

Humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and bald eagles in one morning on the water

A 2.5-hour whale watching tour from Hoonah into Icy Strait with a live English-speaking guide and hotel pickup. You're guaranteed to see humpback whales. Orcas, sea lions, sea otters and bald eagles also appear regularly. The boat holds 14 passengers, and coffee or tea is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching tour in Icy Straits

• Join whale watching tour
• See humpback whales
• Spot orca, sea lions, sea otters
• Observe bald eagles and wildlife
• Enjoy beautiful scenery

The experience

If you've just arrived in Hoonah or have a free morning, this tour puts you on the water in Icy Strait where humpback whales feed and breach. The operator guarantees you'll see them. A promise that matters when you're timing a short visit around a cruise ship schedule or a tight itinerary. You travel with up to 13 other passengers on a dedicated whale watching boat, and a live guide narrates what you're seeing as it happens.

The tour runs 2.5 hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the dock. Once on the water, the guide points out humpbacks and explains their behavior, feeding patterns and migration. Beyond whales, the strait regularly delivers orcas, sea lions hauled out on rocks, sea otters and bald eagles perched in the trees along the shoreline. The scenery shifts constantly (forested islands, rocky outcrops, open water), and the wildlife changes with the season and the tide.

Coffee and tea come aboard, a small comfort on the water that matters when the morning is cool. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller if you need one, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour suits all fitness levels. You're seated on the boat for the duration, and the guide does the spotting and the explaining.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• coffee and tea aboard.
• guaranteed humpback whale sightings.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 23 May 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (2 to 17 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Hoonah Whale Tours

Is this one for you?The live guide speaks English, so you follow the commentary and the wildlife identification without translation. This works for English speakers arriving on a cruise ship or staying nearby who want the whales explained as you watch them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 17 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What whales will I actually see on this tour?

Humpback whales are guaranteed. The operator backs that promise. Orca, sea lions, sea otters and bald eagles appear regularly depending on the season and where the whales are feeding that day.

How long is the whale watching tour and when does it start?

The tour runs 2.5 hours on the water. Hotel pickup is included, so the guide collects you from your accommodation and brings you back after the tour ends.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, the boat tour, a live English-speaking guide and coffee or tea are included. The operator guarantees humpback whale sightings.