Icy Strait Point (Hoonah, Alaska)

Icy Strait Point is a cruise ship destination on Chichagof Island, located just outside Hoonah Alaska (to the south). Port Hoonah is privately owned and named after nearby Icy Strait (Alexander Archipelago, southeastern Alaska). Icy Strait Point is owned by Huna Totem Corporation. The company itself is owned by ~1500 Alaskan Natives.

Hoonah is located approx 35 km (22 mi) from Glacier Bay AK and approx 55 km (35 mi) west of Juneau AK. Generally, Icy Strait Point is simply a landing point for Alaskan shore excursions.

On August 10, 2021, in Hoonah AK was held a double ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Wilderness Landing Pier and the first of two high-speed gondola systems (by Doppelmayr Lift Systems). The new Wilderness Landing Pier provides additional beach and forest leisure areas for tourists. The high-speed Transporter Gondola provides access to Icy Strait Point's first dock (Adventure Landing Pier), where are situated popular attractions - like Hoonah Packing Company's first salmon cannery (1912-built). The Mountain Top Gondola provides access from Wilderness Landing (near the ZipRider) to the top of Hoonah Mountain, from where tourists can start hiking on the trails (including the popular trail loop around the glacial pond) and enjoying the stunning views of the Fairweather Range (Saint Elias Mountains) and Glacier Bay NP.

The "gondola" project was announced in November 2019.

• The joint investment (NCLH-Norwegian and Huna Totem Corporation) was for an elevated line (with two gondolas) and developing Hoonah Mountain's areas near the ZipRider.
• The gondolas made Wilderness Landing a vehicle-free zone, replacing 70+ tour buses on each NCL cruise ship call.
• The gondolas are with 8-person cabins, capacity 5600+ passengers per hour, scooter- and wheelchair-accessible. Ride time is 6 minutes.
• Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is a renowned manufacturer of ropeways (naval lifting devices for light stores and equipment transportation across rivers/ravines) and people movers (ski and tourist areas, amusement parks), with 15000+ systems produced and installed in 96 countries (as of 2019).

In 2021 were also inaugurated Huna Totem-developed new shore excursions and attractions, including an over-canyon suspension bridge (length 340 ft / 104 m, vertical drop 900 ft / 274 m), a tour departure center (for activities like ATV riding and helicopter tours), new walking trails.

In February 2022, Huna Totem Corporation and Doyon Ltd (Fairbanks-based Alaska Native corporation) formed the new tourism joint venture company Na-Dena LLC (50-50), which acquired a majority stake (80%) in Alaska Independent Coach Tours LLC (Juneau-based company with 100+ motorcoaches) that also owns the Seattle-based Pacific Alaska Tours.

ZipRider zip-line

The best-known (and most booked) tour here is the ZipRider. The zip-line completes its run close to the docking facility and was constructed by the owner Huna Totem Corporation.

ZipRider was opened in May 2007. The zip-line has length 1620 m (5330 ft), ranking it the world's longest. ZipRider has 6 ziplines. After the launch, passengers quickly accelerate to up to 60 mph (97 kph) soaring 300 ft (100 m) above the rainforest. The experience is definitely one-of-a-kind and a must-do in the region. With 6 lines, up to 6 passengers can descend at once, which also makes the activity great for families and small groups.

The ZipRider excursion starts right after cruise ship disembarkation, followed by shuttle bus transfer that includes scenic drive to Hoonah Mountain's top. Along the ride, passengers can enjoy wildlife viewing - bears, deer, eagles are often seen along the route. The coach travel also includes several vantage points - Hoonah, Port Frederick, Icy Strait. In clear weather can be seen Glacier Bay National Park's peaks in the distance.

Once on top, guests take a short walk through the rainforest to the ZipRider's launching tower. Upon reaching it, guests are given a safety briefing then are organized into 6-person groups. After all of them are seated and secured (via harnesses) they take-off. The zip-line is both adrenaline-loaded and adventurous activity as it offers the majestic Alaskan scenery to enjoy.

At the ZipRider's end, there is a break-activated landing area located right on the beach at Icy Strait Point. Be sure to bring warm clothes and raingear. The facility doesn't allow open-toe shoes. Among the requirements for using the zip-line there is also a weight limit - guests must be between 75-275 pounds (34-125 kg) and to be comfortable with heights. The ZipRider is not recommended for people with back or neck problems (injuries), and also for pregnant women.

Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. Sightings happen often, but as all things in Nature are not guaranteed. Bald eagles are also frequently seen in the region. Whale watching excursions are also often booked, as the facility is close to the Point Adolphus - feeding area for humpback whales.

The whale watching excursion goes to Point Adolphus (protected marine area). A 24-passenger boat is used for the tour. The wildlife viewing includes whales, sea lions, harbor seals. Eagles and brown bears can be seen along the coastline. There is a guarantee if you don't see at least 1 whale they will give you USD 100 cash refund at disembarkation. The whale watching excursion's duration is between 4,5-5 hours. Layered clothes and waterproof outerwear are recommended.

Among the more "extreme" Alaskan cruise vacation experiences offered from Icy Strait Point is the ATV Expedition adventure. This is a guided tour that also starts with bus travel - this time through Hoonah en-route to the departure site located high in the hills. Upon arrival, local guides provide the safety briefing before boarding the Kawasaki's 4x4 Mule. Follows the adventurous rugged drive through the forest. Along the route, there are numerous stops to enjoy the region's scenic scenery - valley, mountain, and the ocean. Along the trail, the accompanying guide often stops to explain the region's history. Licensed drivers can drive the vehicle. This tour's duration is approx 3,5 hours. Requirements are the same as for the ZipRider, plus a min age requirement (6 yo).

The cruising season runs May through September. Among the often visiting cruise companies are Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, RSSC-Regent, Royal Caribbean International.

During season 2016, the port handled 78 ship calls and ~160,000 cruise tourists. On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, the liner Celebrity Infinity set a record - marking port's 1000th ship call and bringing in the 2-millionth passenger since Icy Strait first opened in 2004. In 2004, the port received 32 ship calls.

On December 6, 2018, NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings) signed a partnership deal with Huna Totem Corporation to build a second cruise pier, with scheduled completion for Alaska 2020 season. The new terminal has berthing capacity to handle Breakaway Plus-class NCL liners (LOA length 326 m, max passenger capacity 4900). The deal provided the NCLH brands (NCL, Oceania and RSSC-Regent) with preferential berthing rights and also allows NCLH to increase the fleet's Icy Strait Point capacity with larger vessels.

For season 2019, in Icy Strait Point were booked the NCLH-owned luxury ships Oceania Regatta and Regent Seven Seas Mariner, and also the larger NCL liners Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Joy. In 2019, Hoonah cruise port had scheduled 137 ship calls with estimated 267,000 passengers. In 2020, the newest (second) Megaship Dock will add more passenger capacity. For season 2020, Hoonah had booked 192 ship calls with projected ~408,000 passengers.

Icy Strait Point cruise terminal