Cruise Port Guide: Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point is a cruise port in Hoonah, Alaska. The port is only open when there are ships coming into port for the day, and is primarily a cruise destination. It is owned and operated by Alaska Natives and all profits support the local communities. Hoonah is within a short walking distance of the port, or a quick drive.
Icy Strait Point was purchased by Huna Totem Corporation in 1996, and cruise ships began to dock there in 2004. Originally Icy Strait Point was an extension of Hoonah, a very small town inhabited by the Huna Tlingit people. In 1880 the Northwest Trading Company built the first store in Hoonah, from there the town began to build and the population rose. In 1912 the Hoonah Packing Co. built the cannery, where Icy Strait Point is today. A devastating fire destroyed a large part of Hoonah in 1944 and remnants of that are still noticeable today.
The cannery is the main focus point at Icy Strait Point. The cannery changed ownership multiple times throughout the early years all while operating as a salmon cannery. When the fire destroyed the town in 1944 the cannery acted as a makeshift shelter for the residents. Things began to slow down for the cannery in 1953 when they slowed down into a support facility for the fishing fleet until 1999. In 1996 the Huna Totem Corporation bought the cannery but allowed Ward’s Cove Packing Co. to continue leasing it until 1999.
Getting AROUND icy strait point
Getting around Icy Strait Point is very easy. There are two potential spots where your ship may dock. The Wilderness Dock is located on the farthest edge of Icy Strait Point and the Adventure Landing Dock is closer to the Cannery. If you are docking at the Wilderness Dock you’re going to need to take the transporter gondola or walk to the adventure landing site before heading out into your activities.
The transporter gondola is free and takes a few minutes, and the trail is about half a mile and would take roughly 15 minutes to walk. When we visited we took the gondola into adventure landing and walked back to the ship in the afternoon. The entire port is very easy to walk with paved or hard packed surfaces.
If you’re interested in visiting Hoonah and don’t have an excursion that will pick you up in Icy Strait Point the walk is about a mile and a half and roughly 35 minutes. The view along the sidewalk is beautiful.
Best things to do
Visit the cannery
The cannery is the central tour stop at Icy Strait Point. Most visitors stop in at some point throughout the day to shop and view the cannery exhibits. Inside the main building are a few shops and machinery examples in the museum section. It isn’t a place to dedicate your entire day to, but a good stop as you are passing by.
zipline
Icy Strait Point features a large zipline that takes you downhill towards the cruise docks. Max speeds are said to be around 60 miles per hour so it is not for the faint of heart. The zipline excursion takes about an hour and a half and leaves you with a good portion of your day to explore the port.
Have a beach day
If you want something more laid back for your port day, hang out on the beach and relax. At low tide there is plenty of space for the crowds to spread out. They are not sandy beaches, but you can still lay a picnic blanket on the small rocks. If the tide is low be on the lookout for tide pools and sea creatures.
Whale Watching
Whale watching in this area is one of the best cruise ports to do so at. Of course it depends on the season, and the animal themselves but it will not disappoint. We did this as our excursion of the day and saw over two dozen whales, and many many more spouts. If you do choose to whale watch, make sure to pick a company that has outdoor space on their boats that you are allowed to view from. Some companies have fully enclosed boats, which would have been a damper on our day.
Eat
Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant
This spot was recently beautifully renovated, on top of being in a fantastic location on the beach. They serve great food and beer, if you’re just looking for a brew this is a great spot as well. While we visited, we were able to sit on the deck and whale watch for a while.
The Cookhouse Restaurant
Compared to Duck Point this location is geared more towards seafood, but has equally as amazing views from the deck. It is a great stop for a family with diverse tastes as they have burgers and normal land based food too.
The Crab House
The Crab House is connected to the cannery and is famous for their Dungeness and King Crab dinners. The prices are a bit high (as to be expected in the cruise ports) for seafood so be prepared for that if you have your heart set on eating here. It is worth it for the experience.
Lil’ Gen’s
If you have a sweet tooth you can’t skip Lil’ Gen’s. They serve fresh mini donuts in just about any flavor you can dream up. The donut shack is run by the Salvation Army as a way to raise funds for the local community.
If your itinerary includes Icy Strait Point you’re bound to have a good day. There are plenty of adventures to be had no matter what your interests are. Be sure to leave us a comment if you have an upcoming trip or had a favorite activity on your last trip!