Ear Mountain Charters tours: whale watching or fishing

The best part of Ear Mountain Charters is the chance to get onto the water in a small six-person boat, rather than joining a large sightseeing crowd. From Hoonah, you can search for whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions, or spend your time trying Alaska fishing in a scenic setting.

I like the heated cabin and onboard bathroom, useful comforts on a cool or wet day. I also like the easy port plan: you are picked up at Icy Strait Point, driven about a mile to Hoonah, and returned to the point or left in town to explore. The main drawback is the price, $284 per person, and rain gear, food, drinks, and fishing licenses are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• A six-person boat keeps the outing personal: The 32-foot North River offshore boat has seating for six, a heated cabin, and a bathroom.
• Two very different trips are available: Choose whale watching for marine life and scenery, or fishing for an active Alaska day on the water.
• Hoonah is part of the experience: You leave Icy Strait Point by van, board the boat in town, and may stay in Hoonah afterward.
• A recent outing recorded several species: Whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions were all seen on one August trip.
• Fishing gear is supplied: You need to buy the required $15 day license yourself.
• Pack for wet weather: Rain gear, quick-dry clothing, closed-toe shoes, and clothes that can get dirty are practical choices.

A small boat from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah

Ear Mountain Charters begins at Icy Strait Point, a cruise port with two docking areas. Your pickup is scheduled 30 minutes after the ship arrives, giving you time to leave the ship and reach the meeting point without a frantic start.

If your ship uses the Wilderness Dock, take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area. Turn left and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub pickup area. From the Adventure Dock, walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center, leave through door number 2 at the far end, and follow the signs outside.

From the Excursion Hub, you load into a van for the short drive to Hoonah. The town is only about a mile away, but this transfer matters because the boat leaves from Hoonah rather than directly from Icy Strait Point.

The short ride also gives you a glimpse of the practical side of the excursion. You are not spending the morning on a long road transfer. Most of your time goes toward the water, where the scenery and wildlife are the main attractions.

What the 32-foot North River boat is like

The charter uses a 32-foot North River offshore power boat with twin 250-horsepower motors and a 25-horsepower kicker motor. It has a heated cabin, seating for six people, and a bathroom.

That setup gives you a useful mix of outdoor viewing and indoor shelter. On a dry day, you can focus on the scenery and marine life from outside. If the weather turns cold or rainy, the heated cabin gives you a place to warm up. The bathroom is another welcome feature on a three to six-hour outing.

The six-person limit is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You have fewer people competing for space and sight lines, and the captain can keep the outing focused on the chosen activity. It also means this is not the best choice if you want a large, highly social boat ride.

A small boat can feel more exposed to changing weather than a large covered vessel. That is why your clothing matters. Rain gear is not provided, and the operator specifically asks you to bring quick-dry clothes and shoes that cover your toes.

Whale watching around Icy Strait

The whale watching option focuses on marine life and scenery around Icy Strait. The stated outing includes about three and a half hours of guided boat cruising, sightseeing, whale watching, and wildlife viewing, though the overall activity duration can range from three to six hours depending on the option and schedule.

You may see a variety of sea and land mammals. The confirmed sighting record from one August outing included whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions. That is an impressive range, but it should not be treated as a guarantee for every departure. Wildlife moves on its own schedule, and a nature outing can never promise a particular species.

I like that the trip is not limited to one narrow target. If whales are not immediately visible, you are still out looking at other marine life and the surrounding scenery. That gives the trip more value than a ride based on one single sighting.

The whale watching route is also a good fit for anyone who wants a scenic water experience without handling fishing equipment. You can keep your attention on the water, shore, and wildlife. Bring your camera if you like, but protect it from rain and spray.

The boat has a heated cabin, yet you should still prepare for time outdoors. A warm layer, waterproof outer shell, and quick-dry clothing will make it easier to move between the cabin and viewing areas.

Alaska fishing with equipment supplied

The fishing option offers a more hands-on way to spend your time in Icy Strait. You will experience what fishing can be like in Alaska, with the boat, captain, and fishing gear provided.

The $15 day license is not included, so fishing participants need to purchase it separately. Bring a credit card and your identification, since both are listed among the recommended items. You should also bring clothes that can get dirty. Fishing is not a tidy activity, and the operator makes that clear.

This option suits you if you want to take part rather than simply watch the water. The small boat gives the outing a focused feel, and the supplied gear saves you from bringing specialized equipment through a cruise port.

The information provided does not specify which fish you will target, how much fish you can keep, or how catches are handled. If those details matter to you, ask before booking. The practical point is simple: gear is included, the license is your responsibility, and the fishing experience can last longer or shorter within the stated three to six-hour range.

Food and drinks are not included, apart from water. Fishing can make you hungry, so eat before pickup and bring only what the operator allows. Drinks are not permitted in the vehicle, and alcoholic drinks, glass objects, and several other items are prohibited.

Hoonah adds a useful second stop

Hoonah is more than the place where you board the boat. After returning to the harbor, you can go back to Icy Strait Point with the group, or stay in town to explore.

That flexibility is handy if your schedule allows it. You can finish the boat trip and spend additional time in Hoonah instead of immediately returning to the cruise port. Shuttles are available to take you back to Icy Strait Point.

You will need to manage your own timing if you stay in town. The charter returns you to the harbor and provides the option to remain there, but your ship departure time remains your responsibility. If you choose to explore Hoonah, leave enough time for the shuttle back to Icy Strait Point and the walk or gondola connection to your ship.

The tour also gives you a look at the relationship between Icy Strait Point and Hoonah. The two places are close, but they serve different roles in the day: the port is the meeting point, while Hoonah is the launch point and possible place to continue exploring.

What the $284 price means

At $284 per person, this is a high-priced shore excursion. The value depends heavily on what you want from your day in Alaska.

The price includes the van transfer between Icy Strait Point and Hoonah, the boat trip, the captain and guide, and fishing gear on fishing departures. It also buys you a place on a boat limited to six people, which is a meaningful difference from a larger group excursion.

For whale watching, the value is strongest if you care about a smaller boat, a longer water outing, and the chance to see several kinds of marine life. A confirmed August trip saw whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions, but no wildlife charter can promise those sightings every time.

For fishing, the value comes from having the boat and equipment arranged for you. You still need to pay the $15 license, and you must bring your own food, drinks, rain gear, and suitable clothing.

I would compare the cost with the importance of the day to you. If this is your main chance to get onto the water in Alaska, the limited group size and purpose-built boat may justify the price. If you mainly want a short scenic ride or are trying to keep cruise-port spending low, this may feel expensive.

Timing, pickup, and the cruise-port connection

Pickup takes place 30 minutes after the ship arrives in port. That timing is designed for cruise passengers, but you still need to leave the ship promptly and find the Excursion Hub.

The total duration is listed as three to six hours. The whale watching plan includes a roughly three-and-a-half-hour guided water outing, while fishing may have a different length within the stated range. Check the available start time for your date before paying, especially if you plan to explore Hoonah afterward.

At the end, you are returned to Icy Strait Point unless you choose to stay in Hoonah. If you dock at the Wilderness Dock, remember that the green gondola connects the dock with the Adventure Center area. If you dock at the Adventure Dock, you return through the Adventure Center and follow the signs.

These details are not glamorous, but they can make or break a cruise day. Know your dock, find the pickup signs, and keep an eye on the clock after the boat returns.

What to wear and bring for Alaska weather

Rain gear is essential because it is not supplied. A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers are better than a simple sweatshirt or light poncho. Quick-dry clothing is specifically recommended, and you should choose clothes that can get dirty if you are fishing.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a firm sole. Sandals, flip flops, open-toed shoes, high heels, and bare feet are not allowed. The rules also prohibit smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, and drinks in the vehicle.

Bring your passport or ID card, credit card, personal medication, and fishing license if you are taking the fishing option. Food and beverages are not included except for water, so plan around that limitation before you leave the port.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not describe the exact transfer process from the van to the boat. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the boarding details before booking so you know how the transfer will work.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this excursion for someone who wants a small-group Alaska outing and is comfortable with changing weather. It suits wildlife watchers who would rather search for several marine species than follow a fixed sightseeing route.

It is also a good match for anglers who want to fish without bringing their own gear. The supplied equipment makes the planning easier, while the separate day-license fee is straightforward.

The trip may not suit you if you dislike boats, get cold easily, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or want meals included. The price also makes it less attractive for people who plan to spend very little during their port visit.

Young children may not be suitable. The activity information lists children under 2, under 3, and under 4, as well as babies under 1, among those not accepted. Since those age statements overlap and do not identify one clear cutoff, confirm the exact age rule before booking. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The operator also requires English for the live guide. That is important if anyone in your group needs another language for detailed instructions.

Should you book Ear Mountain Charters?

Book it if your priority is getting onto the water near Icy Strait Point in a small group, with a heated cabin, bathroom, and either wildlife viewing or fishing. The recent confirmed sighting of whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions shows the kind of day that is possible, while the six-person limit gives the outing a more personal feel.

I would choose whale watching if your main goal is scenery and marine life. Choose fishing if you want an active outing and are comfortable paying the extra $15 license and managing a messier day.

Skip it if $284 feels too steep for an outing with no guaranteed sightings, or if you need included meals and rain gear. For the right visitor, though, this is a practical way to trade the cruise port for open water, nearby Hoonah, and a real chance to see Alaska at sea level.

FAQ

Where does the Ear Mountain Charters tour begin?

All participants are picked up at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point.

How do I find the pickup area from the Wilderness Dock?

Take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area, turn left, and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub pickup area.

How do I reach the pickup area from the Adventure Dock?

Walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center, exit through door number 2 at the end of the building, and follow the Excursion Hub signs outside.

How long does the activity last?

The duration is listed as three to six hours. The whale watching itinerary includes about three and a half hours of guided cruising and wildlife viewing.

How many people can join the boat tour?

The boat is equipped for six participants.

What kind of boat is used?

The tour uses a 32-foot North River offshore power boat with a heated cabin, bathroom, seating for six, twin 250-horsepower motors, and a 25-horsepower kicker motor.

Is fishing gear included?

Yes. Fishing gear is provided on fishing tours, but you must purchase a $15 day license.

Is food provided?

No. Food and beverages are not included, other than water.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.