Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Why Visit Icy Strait Point?
Nature, Scenery, and Adventure
Icy Strait Point offers easy access to rainforest, shoreline, and open water, often with whale spouts or fishing boats visible right from the dock. Simple walks along the beach or boardwalks already feel like an outing.
From this picturesque hub, you can branch out to bigger adventures — gondolas into the hills, record-setting ziplines, wildlife tours, or quiet nature walks. The mix of scenery and soft exploration quickly fills a full day ashore.
Authentic Tlingit Culture
Icy Strait Point is owned and operated by the Huna Tlingit, and that local stewardship shapes the entire experience. Cultural presentations, art, and storytelling help guests understand the long ties between the community, the land, and the sea.
Shops and tours emphasize locally made goods and locally guided experiences, so your visit directly supports the surrounding community. The result is a port that feels grounded in traditional and living culture.
Alaska’s Rich Fishing History
The heart of Icy Strait Point is its historic salmon cannery, where exhibits and original equipment show how millions of fish once moved from boat to can. You get a clear sense of how central canneries were to coastal life.
Interpretive displays explain how these were self-contained company towns, from “slime row” on the processing line to the cannery’s own currency. It is a compact, hands-on way to see how fishing shaped Alaska’s early economy.
A Uniquely Compact Port
Icy Strait Point stretches along a quiet beach at the edge of the Tongass rainforest, with red cannery buildings, boardwalks, and wide-open views toward the water. The setting feels more like a small waterfront village than a typical cruise terminal.
Everything is close together yet still easy to explore at your own pace. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Icy Strait Point cruise port, you can be on the beach, in the trees, or inside one of the historic buildings that anchor the port.
Featured Shore Excursions
Whale Watch & Marine Mammal Safari
Whale Watch & Marine Mammal Safari
Icy Strait Point Cruise Information
Icy Strait Point, Alaska Travel Tips
How do I book a cruise that visits Icy Strait Point?
Holland America offers a variety of Alaska itineraries that include Icy Strait Point as a port of call. You can browse Alaska cruise itineraries or work with a travel advisor at 1-855-932-1711 to choose the sailing, ship, and stateroom that best fit your plans.
How long do ships typically stay in Icy Strait Point?
Time in port can vary by itinerary, but most Holland America calls allow at minimum several hours to explore—often enough to enjoy a major excursion plus some free time along the waterfront. Check your specific sailing’s itinerary for exact arrival and departure times.
When is the best time to visit Icy Strait Point?
Icy Strait Point is typically featured on Alaska cruises from late spring through early fall, when daylight is long and wildlife viewing is at its best. Mid-season months tend to offer the widest choice of itineraries and excursions.
What is the weather like in Icy Strait Point?
Expect cool, maritime conditions with frequent clouds and showers, especially in midsummer. Dressing in layers with a waterproof outer layer and sturdy walking shoes will help you stay comfortable ashore.
Ice Strait Point Cruise Information
What should I expect on a day in port at Icy Strait Point?
Guests can walk directly off the ship onto a boardwalk-connected waterfront with easy access to shops, restaurants, the cannery museum, and excursion check-in points. Depending on your plans, you can join a guided tour, ride the gondola, or simply explore on your own.
Can I visit Hoonah from Icy Strait Point?
Select excursions and transfers visit the nearby Tlingit community of Hoonah, located a short distance from the port area. Check your Icy Strait Port shore excursion listings to see which options include time in town..
Are there facilities and services at the pier?
Guests will find restrooms, shops, food and beverage venues, and clearly marked meeting points for tours close to where the ship docks. Information staff and signage help you navigate the area and find your chosen activity quickly.
Cruise Preparation, Transportation, Safety, and More
Already booked on a Holland America cruise that visits Icy Strait Point?
Visit our travel planning page to review onboard policies, packing tips, and more. There, you can also manage shore excursion reservations and see any updates related to your specific itinerary.
Please visit our most frequently asked questions page on cruise preparation, transportation, safety and security, and more.
Set Sail for Alaska with Holland America
Cruises to Icy Strait Point, Alaska, bring you to a stunning Native-owned destination where lush rainforest, open water, and living Tlingit culture all meet in one remarkable port of call. From the moment you arrive, boardwalks lead you along the shoreline to restored cannery buildings, nature trails, and adventure bases that feel far removed from a typical cruise pier.
When you visit aboard a Holland America Alaska cruise, you have ample time to choose your own pace — ride a gondola into the treetops, try a record-breaking zip line, join whale- and bear-watching tours, or simply walk the waterfront and watch the fishing boats come and go.
Ready to plan an Icy Strait Point cruise? Browse our excellent availability of itineraries that include this special port and start preparing for your day ashore.
FAQs
Is Icy Strait Point easily walkable from the cruise port?
Yes, Icy Strait Point is designed to be very walkable, with boardwalks and paths connecting the pier to shops, restaurants, the cannery museum, and many tour meeting points. Guests can easily explore much of the waterfront area on foot, with shuttles or transport available for certain experiences.
Is there a free gondola in Icy Strait Point, Alaska?
Icy Strait Point offers a complimentary gondola that takes guests between key areas of the port, making it easy to move around without additional cost. Some higher-elevation or excursion-focused experiences like the ZipRider may be part of a paid tour, which guests can book in advance or on board.
Is Icy Strait Point the same as Hoonah?
The Icy Strait Point cruise port and visitor area are located just outside the Tlingit community of Hoonah, and both share the same island and cultural roots. When sailing with Holland America, you will dock at Icy Strait Point, with opportunities to experience both the port’s attractions and the town of Hoonah itself on some tours.