Huna Totem Corporation owns the port, making it the only privately owned cruise destination in Alaska. About 1,350 indigenous people from Hoonah and the surrounding Glacier Bay region control the Huna Totem Corporation. After purchasing the land in 1996, the company finally opened Icy Strait Point to cruise ships in 2004.
As one of the best places in the world to see whales, and a darn good spot to view bears, Icy Strait/Hoonah is among Alaska’s most beloved destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Royal Caribbean International and its sister company, Celebrity Cruises, being the first to dock there. They would remain the primary lines, but Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line would all make stops there over the course of several years.
Icy Strait offers pretty woodland walks, an insight into Tlingit history and culture, a wide range of back-to-nature adventures and high-quality restaurants. Upmarket craft shops feature artisan crafts and locally made goods like woodland berry jam and confectionery. Buildings are constructed from sustainable local timber and built by local Tlingit workers in traditional style.
Spend time in nature, take a flight over Glacier Bay, go on a whale-watching cruise, look for brown bears on the Spasski River, learn about Tlingit culture, go kayaking, book a fishing charter, watch animals (including bald eagles), or do it all.
For a truly unforgettable adventure, the ZipRider is the way to go. There are six 5,330-foot long ziplines at Icy Strait Point, with a total drop of 1,330 feet, making it the world’s largest ZipRider. After taking off, you’ll rocket upwards of 300 feet above the jungle floor and reach speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Because up to six people can descend at once, this is also a fantastic outing for a big family or a small group of friends.
