Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 1
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 2
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 3
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 4
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 5
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr - Image 6

Photo 1 / 6

Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise 3 hr

TourTruth score 7.2 out of 10

Average

511 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Hoonah
  • 3 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Cruise from Hoonah through Icy Strait and near Glacier Bay to look for humpback whales and other Alaskan wildlife.

About this tour

Set out from Hoonah for a three-hour cruise through the wildlife-rich waters of Icy Strait and near Glacier Bay. Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise brings you close to the coastal scenery that draws humpback whales north each summer to feed.

Board a custom-built vessel with a heated cabin and restroom, then keep watch for humpbacks, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and seabirds. Orcas may also appear. A local guide accompanies the trip, and snacks and transportation are provided. Whale season generally runs from May through September, though wildlife sightings can vary.

The meeting point is the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point. Your route there depends on which dock your ship uses, so allow time to follow the posted signs and check in 15 minutes before departure. Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise offers a memorable way to experience Alaska’s marine life from the water. Bring your connecting instructions, then head out and see what the strait reveals.

Highlights

  • Watch for humpback whales feeding in Alaska’s rich coastal waters
  • Scan the water for seals, sea lions, sea otters, orcas, and seabirds
  • Cruise near Glacier Bay and Icy Strait from Hoonah
  • Ride in a custom-built vessel with a heated cabin and restroom

What's included

Included

  • Local guide
  • Transportation to and from the cruise
  • Snacks
  • All fees and taxes

Not included

  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name when booking
  • Departure times depend on cruise ship arrival and departure
  • Check in 15 minutes before departure; tours leave on time
Show 4 more
  • From Adventure Dock, walk through the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center, exit door 2, and follow signs to the Excursion Hub; allow 6–8 minutes on foot
  • From Wilderness Dock, take the free Green Transporter Gondola, then follow signs to the Excursion Hub; allow about 6–8 minutes
  • There is no Wi-Fi or cell service at the port; print your connecting instructions
  • Smoking is not allowed

Frequently asked questions

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

The cruise lasts about 3 hours.

What wildlife might I see?

Humpback whales are commonly seen; you may also spot orcas, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and birds.

Where does the tour depart from?

Meet at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point. Follow the dock-specific directions provided with your booking.

When is whale-watching season in Hoonah?

Whales typically arrive around May and remain through September.

What should cruise ship passengers provide when booking?

Provide your cruise ship name. Departure times depend on your ship’s arrival and departure.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.81 on Viator and 4.83 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Hoonah
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.2.

Provider rating distribution in Hoonah

How many tours in Hoonah have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

More Wildlife Watching in Hoonah

from $225

on Viator · GetYourGuide $225

Check availability