Silversea Luxury Cruises A Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Enjoy a bus ride through the Tlingit village of Hoonah before changing pace and heading off in ATVs along trails through the spectacular wild scenery of Chichagof Island. Learn about the natural history of the area and stop to admire scenic valley, mountain and ocean views.

Tlingit village

Board a bus for a 25-minute guided tour through the Tlingit village of Hoonah en route to your departure site high in the surrounding hills.

ATV ride through the wilds of Chichagof Island

Upon arrival, your local guides will provide a safety briefing before you board your 4x4 vehicle for a rugged 90-minute drive through the forest with stops to take in the scenic valley, mountain and ocean views which make Chichagof Island so magnificent. Listen to your guide explain the natural history of the area and describe how the spectacular alder tunnels have formed over the trails. After disembarking the ATVs, enjoy more gorgeous scenery as you relax on the comfortable bus ride back to the pier.

Combine a Tlingit cultural experience with helicopter flightseeing on this 90-minute tour. Soar over the wilds of Chichagof Island and land on a remote beach to learn about traditional Tlingit food preservation and sample some local delicacies.

Tlingit village of Hoonah, Helicopter Flightseeing over Tongass National Forest

Depart the pier for a 20-minute drive to the heliport, passing through the Tlingit village of Hoonah en route. Following a short safety briefing, take flight to experience a bird's-eye view of the rugged region with its sheer mountains and majestic valleys. Keep your camera ready to capture the spectacular views below of Tongass National Forest with lush forests of spruce, hemlock and cedar clinging to mountainsides, set in this land of incredible natural beauty.

Beach visit and food experience

Land on a remote beach in the wilds of Chichagof Island, where your guide will teach you traditional food preservation methods and treat you to some local delicacies. Rather than mere survival, living off the land has become a cultural heritage, with most local Tlingits still practising a subsistence lifestyle based on methods of preservation passed down from generation to generation. Walk along the beach and learn why locals say "When the tide is out, the table is set." Learn about the smoking and kippering processes and savor some smoked salmon treats with beach asparagus or other delicacies.

This is the tour for those who want to experience the "real" Alaska in one of the most stunning settings imaginable. Enjoy more breathtaking scenery on your return flight and cherish the time spent in this wild land.

Spend half a day at sea on a cabin cruiser fishing for the halibut which abound in Icy Strait's waters. This is an opportunity to relax out on the water but also take advantage of unusual photo opportunities.

Icy Strait, photo opportunities

Live your own 'big fish' story. Cross the pier and step into a modern cabin cruiser to embark on the ultimate fishing excursion to the rich waters of Icy Strait. Following a brief orientation, cruise out to the fishing grounds while looking out for whales during the 30-minute boat ride. When your local guide has found the ideal fishing spot for the day, bait your hook, drop your line and wait. The waters of Icy Strait are teeming with halibut, making angling conditions ideal. The abundance of many varieties of marine life provides the chance to spot different species, and the beautiful surroundings make for brilliant photo opportunities. Enjoy a snack on board, and after two hours' fishing cruise back to shore. Once back on land you can process your own fish before strolling the short distance back to your ship.

This triple adventure - the only one of its kind in southeast Alaska - combines a Tlingit cultural experience with helicopter flightseeing, hiking and a bike ride down a mountain trail to the beach, where you enjoy a snack of local delicacies while hearing tales of Tlingit life.

Hoonah Tlingit village, Helicopter Ascent and Flightseeing

Depart the pier for a narrated 15-minute minivan ride through Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in the world, en route to the heli-pad base. After a safety briefing and outfitting, take off in the 6-passenger helicopter. Your bikes ride with you as you ascend to the top of a secluded mountain while enjoying breathtaking aerial views seen by few. Jagged mountain peaks shrouded with snow and mist tower over verdant valleys, alpine ridges and the waters of Port Frederick and Icy Strait below.

Bike Descent, Hiking, Beach Visit and Food Experience

After a gentle touch-down and a bike orientation and bear safety briefing from your experienced guide, begin your picturesque one-hour downhill journey. Even if you are new to heli-biking this trip is a perfect way to experience the wilderness of Chichagof Island. As you gradually descend toward the beach your guide will tell local stories passed down through generations. Make stops along the way to hike out offshoot trails to gain better views and search for wildlife. Once at the beach, enjoy a locally made snack and learn about what it's like to live in a remote Alaskan village. Back on board the helicopter, marvel at yet more awe-inspiring views and don't forget to look up and appreciate the route you just biked. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind adventure that will take your breath away.

Admire Icy Strait Point and Port Frederick from the water as you paddle a two-person wilderness kayak along Hoonah waterfront and coastline. Look out for bald eagles and even humpback whales….from a safe distance.

Kayak Trip, Hoonah Waterfront and Coastline viewed from the sea

The 10-minute walk to the Kayak Center warms you up before the safety briefing and gear outfitting. Led by a safety-certified local guide and accompanied by a motorized boat, set off from the beach at Icy Strait Point into the protected waters of Port Frederick. Take in your guide's narration as you paddle your tandem wilderness kayak along the Hoonah waterfront, where bald eagles are often spotted and few humans can usually follow. Keep your eyes open and your spirit of adventure stoked along the way as humpback whales have been known to feed along the very same route. After an energetic 90 minutes, return to the beach and walk back to the pier.

Experience a unique culinary workshop at In Alaska's Wildest Kitchen to learn about wild, natural and sustainable local seafood before trying your hand at grilling freshly-caught fish. Sample some local specialties washed down with a white wine spritzer.

"In Alaska's Wildest Kitchen" Demonstration, Interactive Workshop and Tasting

A 5-minute walk from the pier takes you to In Alaska's Wildest Kitchen for a demonstration and hands-on cooking and tasting session hosted by a characterful Alaskan fisherwoman and master wilderness chef. Experience wild, natural and sustainable Alaska seafood as only Alaskans can, while learning how local fishing, preservation and cooking techniques all set Alaska seafood apart. Watch an expert filleting demonstration and take the opportunity to grill your own sample catch-of-the-day over an alder-wood grill. All seafood is harvested by local fishermen in nearby waters, ensuring unbeatable freshness. The tasting menu includes fresh and locally canned salmon dishes and grilled halibut accompanied by a white wine spritzer. Take away complimentary printed recipe cards as a memento of this unique insight into local fare.

Whale-Watching and Wildlife Adventure via Private Yacht

Pamper yourself by spending the day on Southeast Alaska's only private whale watching yacht available to cruise ship guests. Just as the name suggests, luxury is the difference.

Expert Guides, Humpback Whales, Marquis 40 SC Yacht

This unique 5-star adventure takes place on an 8 passenger Marquis 40 SC Yacht that provides a combination of speed, style, safety and comfort. Enjoy three hours searching for wildlife in luxury.

Icy Strait Point has some of the most pristine waters anywhere in the world and it's teeming with wildlife for you to experience. We are so confident that you will spot a whale on tour that we offer a 100% guarantee. Humpback sightings are a daily occurrence but you can expect to see much more. Keep your eyes out for world-class wildlife like Orca, bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions and even the occasional coastal brown bear. Chichagof Island is home to the largest concentration of coastal brown bears in the world.

Let us provide you with the adventure of a lifetime.

A scenic gondola ride to the top of Hoonah mountain is followed by an awe-inspiring descent to the beach down the world's largest ZipRider.

Gondola ride up Mt. Hoonah, ZipRider descent

Board an 8-passenger gondola right across from the pier at Wilderness Landing for the 6-minute scenic ride to the top of 1550' Hoonah Mountain. Enjoy spectacular views of Icy Strait, Chatham Strait and your cruise ship below. On clear days you can see the towering peaks of Glacier Bay National Park and the Juneau Icefield in the distance. Once on top, take a short walk through towering old-growth rainforest to the launching area, where you will be given a safety briefing and organized into groups of six. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330' ziplines dropping 1330'.

After being seated and secured in a special harness, you launch, quickly accelerating to speeds exceeding 60 mph as you soar 300 feet above the rainforest below. The initial surge of adrenaline is soon replaced by genuine appreciation of the magnificence of the local scenery.

The descent concludes with a safe brake-activated landing right on the beach at Icy Strait Point. To ensure a lasting memory of the experience, ZipRider photos will be available for purchase at the end of your ride. This is one-of-a-kind experience and with up to six guests descending at once, it is also ideal for families or groups.

Chichagof Island Forests and Muskegs, Alaskan fauna including coastal brown bears

Depart the pier for a 45-minute drive into the wilds of Chichagof Island heading for the Spasski River valley in search of local wildlife. Listen to a local guide as your bus travels through the Tlingit village of Hoonah and out into coastal rainforest and muskegs. Watch for bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer and Alaska coastal brown bears, which can be seen anywhere along the road.

Spasski River Valley

The Spasski River valley is famous for having one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world. On arrival at the river valley, disembark the bus and follow your guide down a gravel path and boardwalks across a muskeg to viewing platforms strategically positioned over the lower Spasski River. Learn about the delicate rainforest ecology that supports the island's massive bears and all the other commonly found local flora and fauna. This area provides excellent birdwatching opportunities, and the Spasski River is an active salmon stream where bears are commonly spotted throughout the summer. Enjoy the rugged wilderness before re-boarding the coach for the drive back to the pier.

Voyage to the renowned Point Adolphus area with a naturalist guide on a whale-watching vessel to spot humpback whales and many other marine mammals.

Cruise looking for Humpback whales, Orca (Killer Whales), Seal, Porpoise, Steller's sea lions

Depart directly from Icy Strait Point for a two-and-a-half-hour cruise on a safe, stable, covered, comfortable whale-watching vessel. Travel through the bountiful waters of Icy Strait to the renowned Point Adolphus area, home to Alaska's largest summer population of humpback whales. Along the way there is the possibility of spotting some of the region's other marine life including orca (killer whales), seal, porpoise and Steller's sea lions. Don't forget to scan the shore for bald eagles in the evergreen treetops and bears on the beaches. Listen to an onboard naturalist describe the biology and behavior of the diverse species that gather every summer to indulge in Alaska's nutrient-rich waters. Enjoy the open-air observation deck, scan the area with binoculars and take advantage of the many and varied photo opportunities. The whales are so plentiful that Icy Strait Point offers a 100% refund if a whale is not spotted on every trip.

Take advantage of Icy Strait Point's location for a day's adventure combining a whale watching cruise with a drive into the interior forests and muskegs of Chichagof Island to search for bald eagles, woodpeckers, Sitka black-tail deer and spot brown bears feeding on wild salmon.

Whale-Watching Cruise

Depart the dock for a high-speed two-and-a-half-hour cruise toward Point Adolphus and back. Whale sightings are guaranteed, and you will be traveling through waters that support a wide array of other marine life, including orca (killer whales), Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, porpoise and of course the magnificent humpback whales. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles in the evergreen treetops lining the shore. Learn from an on-board naturalist about the diversity of marine life that gathers here every summer to feed in the nutrient-rich waters, fueled by the long Alaska summer days. Cruise back to Icy Strait Point and take a short break before meeting the local guide who will accompany you on your wildlife search.

Hoonah Tlingit village, Chichagof Island Forests, Spasski River

Board the coach for the 45-minute journey out to the Spasski River. This is a tour in itself as the bus travels through the Tlingit village of Hoonah and out through the interior forests and muskegs of Chichagof Island. Watch for bald eagles, woodpeckers, Sitka black-tail deer and Alaska coastal brown bears all along the way. On arrival at the river, follow your guide down a gravel path and across a boardwalk over the delicate muskeg to the viewing platforms by the river itself, and learn about the rainforest ecology that supports the island's massive bears. After an hour in this fascinating habitat, re-board the coach and return to Icy Strait Point.