Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour

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.

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). Lucky whale-watchers may get to see breaching and bubble-net feeding, a cooperative feeding method where a pod forms a circle and dives under the water; they then blow air to create a wall of bubbles that force krill and plankton to the surface where the whales can eat them. Observing humpbacks practice bubble-net feeding is a real treat and a truly thrilling experience. Bottled water and a light snack are included.

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.

This tour is a great way to see the humpback whales in style making sure it is one of the highlights of your cruise.