Table Of Content
- Cunard unveils Alaska 2025 season (MS Queen Elizabeth ship)
- Local Currency & Tipping Customs
- Final Thoughts on Icy Strait Point in Alaska
- Best Deals to Icy Strait Point, Alaska
- Sign up for a Birdwatching Tour
- How to Spend Your Day in Icy Strait Point, Alaska as a Cruise Port
- thoughts on “How to Spend Your Day in Icy Strait Point, Alaska as a Cruise Port”
The Huna quickly made Icy Strait point their permanent home, as resources were plentiful. Since the residents are still mainly Huna Tlingit, the town is named Hoonah and located about 1 1/2 miles from the port. This means that your visit helps to support the native people to remain on the land that they have called home for thousands of years. Along the way, you’ll learn how Icy Strait Point truly preserves the indigenous culture of the Tlingit people and in the nearby town of Hoonah.
Cunard unveils Alaska 2025 season (MS Queen Elizabeth ship)
For the latter, there are three species of trout and up to three species of salmon found here. Departure times for these fishing expeditions are coordinated with the arrivals of cruise ships. Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. Sightings happen often, but as all things in Nature are not guaranteed.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Plus, plenty of wildlife sightings abound; bears, eagles, and whales can all be seen from the port area. Chichagof Island lies within Alaska’s vast Tongass National Forest, with multiple options for hiking or exploring by 4x4. For a taste of the immense natural beauty of the area, head up to Sky Peak on the SkyGlider Gondola and join a walk, guided by a ranger, around the mile-long Hidden Lake Loop Trail. Breathtaking 360-degree views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways await, while there’s a chance of spotting bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer. This on-the-water adventure offers the chance to see eagles, seals, sea lions, crab and maybe whales in the ocean and bears on the shoreline. The remoteness of this location, the peaceful gliding upon the water and the knowledge of your certified local guide make this a relaxing Alaskan experience.
Final Thoughts on Icy Strait Point in Alaska
Our return to Icy Strait Point confirms our fascination for this unique port of call, starkly different from the historical towns of Skagway, Ketchikan, or Sitka. You’ll find everything from fine gold nugget jewelry and the warmest fashions to unique Alaskan home décor and handcrafted treasures. It’s a perfect spot to pick up memorable gifts that truly represent the Alaskan experience. Tickets for the shuttle can be purchased from a ticket booth at Icy Strait Point. It’s important to note that they do not sell one-way tickets, so if you plan to walk to Hoonah and take the shuttle back, you should buy your ticket in advance.
Best Deals to Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Booked on a Cruise to Alaska? You Might Notice Some New Features in Port - Cruise Critic
Booked on a Cruise to Alaska? You Might Notice Some New Features in Port.
Posted: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated and all profits directly support the local community. I would recommend using half of your day to take advantage of one of these excursions. It is rainforest on water– one of the prettiest of the Alaskan cruise ports.
The whale-watching boats are small and low in the water, so you’ll be at eye-level with the marine life. Eagle-eyed guides will help you spot humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, and seals and tell you about the habits of each species. Away from the dock, the shoreline of Chichagof Island is a pristine wilderness of dense forest, log-strewn pebbly beaches, and serene waters.
Sign up for a Birdwatching Tour
To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. This is where I saw Dall’s dolphins jumping through the waves. Stop by the historic Old Bear Clan Cemetery across the road.
If zip riding is not for you (for sure not for me), consider the Wildlife and Bear Search tour. This guided expedition takes you into the heart of Chichagof Island’s wilderness, a habitat with one of the world’s highest concentrations of brown bears. As you ascend, the panoramic vistas of the ocean, forests, and mountains unfold beneath you, providing a breathtaking perspective on Alaska’s natural beauty.
Here’s how to make the most of your morning, ensuring a mix of adventure, wildlife spotting, and cultural enrichment. Since it’s only 1.6 miles from the port to Hoonah, you can take a walk. What’s more, you walk along the coast, the scenery is fabulous, and you can even spot whales!
Your guide will take you out onto the water in a large engine-powered ocean raft, traveling at high speeds in the open sea’s air. During the tour, your guide will also teach you more about the local Tlingit peoples and the wildlife in the area. There is a floating dock where two cruise ships can berth and passengers can walk directly into Icy Strait Point. The cannery ceased production in 1953 and was used thereafter by the Hoonah fishing fleet for maintenance and storage.
Finally, if you decide to visit Hoonah (and you should), have lunch at The Fisherman’s Daughter. Also in Icy Strait Point is the Duck Point Smokehouse, right next to the docks. For some reason, it’s never been open for business when I’ve been there…but if you want a nice cocktail and a pizza, it looks like the place to go. Icy Strait Point is located on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska, about 35 miles west of Juneau, the state capital.
In addition to birds, there are a number of other land and water creatures who call Alaska their home. Take the opportunity to purchase locally-made crafts, gifts and mementos at the shops. This entire area is close to port and easily walkable for all abilities.
The walk between the two is just a little over a mile and mostly flat, with a slight rise. Look at the forest floor and take notice of the native plants, such as skunk cabbage. Along the way, you can cut over to the shore and continue your walk there.
Speaking of fish, trying some of the local specialties appeals to many. The Cookhouse, Duck Point Smokehouse, and Crab House Restaurants are popular. It’s possible to see passing humpbacks from the waterfront restaurants. Icy Strait Point is accessible, so don’t be tempted to stay on the ship when you see the long pier. Unfortunately, I met people with mobility issues who didn’t visit the port because they thought just getting there was too demanding. Intent on keeping those views a part of the visit to Icy Strait Point, the docks have been designed so that visitors always have a scenic view of the wilderness.
Whale watching excursions are also often booked, as the facility is close to the Point Adolphus - feeding area for humpback whales. Everyone we spoke to who did a whale watch at this port saw a lot of whales. There is also the highest population of brown bears on the island, although I didn’t hear only good things about the brown bear tours. The SkyGlider whisks you over the forest from the Wilderness Landing up to Sky Peak, while the Transporter links Wilderness Landing and Ocean Landing. There are clearly marked walking trails along the beach and through sections of the rainforest, but these could be closed if bears have been spotted. Bears come to the lush Spasski River Valley to feed on salmon, making this a great place for viewing Alaska’s apex predators.
New Cruise Port Destination Under Development in Southeastern Alaska - Travel Agent Central
New Cruise Port Destination Under Development in Southeastern Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 31 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I learned the most culture on my three-week trip in this short time, other than my time in Barrow on the Arctic Ocean. The walk into Hoonah is about 1 1/2 miles from the Shuttle Bus ticket stand. There’s a good chance to spot a whale or if you feel like something’s starting at you, there could be a bear up in the hill overlooking the seawalk.
No comments:
Post a Comment