Our 13 Best Hoonah Whale Watching Tours

1.Alaska Whale Watching with bonus Drone viewing of Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 387 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $249Our pick

Join Captain Josh and first mate Jamie for a three-hour whale watch from Hoonah into Icy Strait. The 14-passenger boat offers indoor and outdoor viewing, while a professional drone films whales and other wildlife from above. Pickup, snacks, soda, and one USB drive of drone footage per group are included.

“Great experience! I suggest looking at a map ahead of time to find the meeting location. We came in on Norwegian Bliss. I wish I had walked to harbor area instead of waiting for the shuttle. There is a brewery and a couple shops near the harbor.”

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2.Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise – Near Icy Strait Point

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $225

From Icy Strait Point, you’ll ride into Hoonah and board a small whale-watching boat for about three hours. Captains such as Denise and Paul share local stories and wildlife facts while you look for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, eagles, and bears. The boat has a heated cabin, outdoor viewing, and room for up to 30 people.

“One of the best excursions ever! When we boarded the boat, I asked the guide if there was a good chance that we'd see whales. She guaranteed we would and did not disappoint. There were several boats out looking for whales and the captains of each ship were talking to each other when a whale was sited. Great trip and great commentary by the guide and the captain.”

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3.Guaranteed Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 254 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $195Best value

Set out from Icy Strait Point in Hoonah for about three hours with a captain and local naturalist. A maximum of 24 people searches Icy Strait and Point Adolphus for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, seals, eagles, and bears. Boats have indoor seating, opening windows, and an onboard bathroom.

“Alona was an absolutely wonderful guide. Her knowledge of the wildlife and her passion for her culture made for a great experience. Even though we did not see any Orcas, we saw a mother humpback whale and her calf playing in the water. We also saw sea otters, sea lions, and puffins. A great excursion.”

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4.Wonderful Whales and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $285

Meet at the Excursions Hub at Icy Strait Point, ride five minutes to Hoonah, and board a boat with up to 13 people. Guide Shawn knows the local waters and works with other boats to locate whales, sea otters, and harbor seals. The three-hour tour returns you to the same meeting point.

“Fantastic experience. Family run operation. Clean boat, great guides, great experience for our family! 100% recommend!”

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5.“Catch of the day” Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 203 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $236

From Icy Strait Point, you ride to the harbor and board a heated 38-foot power catamaran for about three hours on the water. Captains Dennis and Bill often lead the search for humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, otters, eagles, seals, and coastal bears. The boat carries up to 16 people and includes bench seating, an aft viewing deck, and a restroom.

“Fantastic experience on a nice, very clean boat! The captain was able to keep us on the whales and we saw lots of humpbacks! During the trip we were incredibly excited to experience 5 breaches (highly unusual), tail slaps, and spouts! Great boat, great captain and his team! FYI, I walk with a walker and was able to use the pier’s mobility assistance cart to the port (get off on the second stop) and then wait for the van to take you to the boat. No steps to get in the boat. Your walker is not allowed on the boat but with help is was able to make the few…”

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6.Hoonah Whale Tours in Icy Strait

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $265

Cruise Icy Strait from Hoonah on a roughly three-hour whale-watching trip for up to 14 people. Captain Jordan and local guides take you toward humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and possibly bears, orcas, and puffins. A heated cabin, onboard bathroom, snacks, coffee, and port transfers keep the outing easy and comfortable.

“After a short walk off the cruise ship, we were met and then taken to the boat via a van by Maraiya. The boat left promptly and the Captain thought it would be about 45-60 minutes to the whales. After stopping by some otters, we turned around because the whales were sailing down the stretch of water past Hoonah to the south/southwest. Some 10 minutes later…that she blows! A pod of about 4-5 whales (including a baby) and for the next two hours, we chased and passed the whales. We saw them blow and arch and dive! We went to the opposite bank for a few minutes and were able…”

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7.Icy Strait Whale & Wildlife Endeavor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $258

Join Captain Seth and the Vivid Endeavors team for a 3-hour-45-minute whale and wildlife trip from Icy Strait. With only six people aboard, you can move around the boat for clear photos while searching for humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, seals, eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and coastal brown bears. Port pickup, snacks, hot drinks, and return transport are included.

“Fabulous opportunity to get up close and personal with those magnificent leviathans of Icy Strait! Captain Seth is so knowledgeable about every aspect of the area, and he clearly enjoys sharing that knowledge. We were thrilled to be surrounded by Humpback Whales frolicking all around the boat, and to have Captain Seth educating us about them.”

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8.Icy Strait Whale Watch with Drone Filmography

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 89 reviews · 3 hours · from $255

Join Captain Josh and crew for a three-hour whale and wildlife trip from Icy Strait Point. The small boat carries up to 14 passengers, with room to watch humpbacks, orcas, otters, sea lions, bears, and eagles. A powerful drone films the wildlife from above, and you receive that day’s footage on a USB drive.

“AMAZING! Can't put words on this tour. We took 2 whale watching tours because I wanted to see Orcas so badly and this was the one where we got to see them. We also saw humpback whales, sea otters, and sea lions! Additionally, the knowledge and service of Josh and his cousin were beyond good. The drone footage was incredible. Don't doubt this is the best tour ever !”

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9.Whale Watching Charters and Bear search through Icy Strat Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $250

Join Captain Billy and his daughter Taylour for a three-hour wildlife search from Icy Strait Point. With no more than six people aboard, you get open views and plenty of time for questions as you look for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, and bears along the shore. Snacks, bottled water, and pickup are included.

“Captain Billy was an excellent guide. He ensured that we not only saw whales, but also sea otters and lions, a bear and eagles. We also loved learning about his Native American culture.”

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10.14 passenger Whale Watching Tours in Icy Strait aka Hoonah AK

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $292

Leave Icy Strait Point at 7:00 am for a 2.5-hour private whale-watching trip with Hoonah Whale Tours. Captain Jordan guides your group through Icy Strait, where humpbacks are guaranteed and orcas, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, and bears may appear. The boat carries up to 14 passengers, with coffee, hot chocolate, and homemade muffins on board.

“WOW! This was such a great tour! We loved the smaller size. You weren't fighting with other people on a big boat for the best view, and it was nice to be able to ask our captain, Jordan, questions. We saw a ton of humpback whales and even a few full breaches. Everything ran smoothly from pickup to drop off. The homemade muffins and coffee/hot chocolate were a huge plus on a chilly morning. Would highly recommend this tour!!!”

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11.Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews · 3 hours · from $225

From Icy Strait Point, a short shared transfer takes you to Hoonah for a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise. Local crews, including guides such as Denise, Carson, Patrick, and Paul on past trips, help spot humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, seals, otters, and birds. You also get 30 minutes in Hoonah before returning.

“An excellent day, with very entertaining skipper and our spotter Patrick. Entertaining and informative We saw sea lions and many Humpback whales as promised, a group diving under our boat. Very enjoyable trip ; well worthwhile”

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12.Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $326

Travel from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah’s whale grounds aboard a small charter boat with heated cabins, open viewing decks, onboard restrooms, water, and a light snack. A Tlingit captain and marine biologist first mate may share local stories and wildlife facts while you search for humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles.

“We waited and waited and no one ever showed up. I had sent multiple messages with no response. Wasted an hour of our short visit waiting.”

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13.Ear Mountain Charters tours: whale watching or fishing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $284

From Icy Strait Point, ride to nearby Hoonah and board a 32-foot North River boat for whale watching or fishing. The heated cabin, bathroom, and six-person limit keep the outing comfortable, while local waters may reveal whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and other wildlife. Fishing gear is included, but a $15 license is required.

“Excelente tour, excelente Guía y Capitán. Logramos ver ballenas, orcas, nutrias y leones marinos.”

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