cheflauraleh Posted November 4, 2016 #1 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I'm being so indecisive about this day. Tell me what you did, how much it cost, was it worth it or not? We are really open to anything. We are an active couple in our early to mid 30s. I feel like there's not much to DIY it in this port though. We are willing to spend money if it's going to be a great experience! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKStafford Posted November 4, 2016 #2 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Here's a list of local vendors if you'd rather not book with the ship: http://visithoonah.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzalady1 Posted November 4, 2016 #3 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I'm being so indecisive about this day. Tell me what you did, how much it cost, was it worth it or not? We are really open to anything. We are an active couple in our early to mid 30s. I feel like there's not much to DIY it in this port though. We are willing to spend money if it's going to be a great experience! Thank you! I can only give you half of what you are asking. We were in ISP on 9/22 and carefully selected Glacier Wind Charters for a whale watching tour. They came with a great recommendation from several CC posters. The cost as $120/person. Unfortunately the weather turned horrible with heavy rain and rocky seas, so the tour was cancelled. Theresa was great to work with and refunded our money very quickly--it was delivered before we even got home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitaxi Posted November 4, 2016 #4 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I highly recommend F.I.S.H.E.S. Whale watching tour. Been out with them twice !! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted November 4, 2016 #5 Share Posted November 4, 2016 With the caveat that we are going on 2 different flight tours in other ports, we are planning on an inexpensive day in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah. We plan on Exploring on foot: Cannery Tour Beach Walk Nature Trail Boardwalk to Hoonah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rydain Posted November 4, 2016 #6 Share Posted November 4, 2016 With the caveat that we are going on 2 different flight tours in other ports, we are planning on an inexpensive day in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah. We plan on Exploring on foot: Cannery Tour Beach Walk Nature Trail Boardwalk to Hoonah This is exactly what Spousal Unit and I did. We had already spent enough on excursions elsewhere, and none of the options at Icy Strait were must-dos for our interests. It was nice to have a relaxing day to wander without much concern about schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted November 4, 2016 #7 Share Posted November 4, 2016 We had boat/plane trips in three other ports so we booked Hoonah Travel Adventures for a trip into the wild to see bears. Had a great time and saw quite a few bears too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheflauraleh Posted November 5, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Thank you for your suggestions. We might be using it as a relaxing day. Walk to Hoonah, Cannery Museum, crab at The Office, etc... We have three other fairly expensive tours planned and if I was really excited about any of the offerings, the money wouldn't be an issue but since I'm not.... I do like the idea of ziplining but I can't convince myself it would be worth the money especially since we've ziplined in other countries for a lot less than that. Thank you again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipsandDipper Posted November 6, 2016 #9 Share Posted November 6, 2016 One of the excursions we've most enjoyed was out of Icy Strait -- Bear Search with Teckk Outfitters. It ended up being just my husband and me, with our two guides, sneaking through the forest looking for bears. Our guides knew where to look and found more than one. It was fabulous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperCrewBear Posted November 6, 2016 #10 Share Posted November 6, 2016 We did a couple things at ISP but the one I thought was unique and I'm glad I did was something called "Alaska's Wildest Kitchen". Sort of a cooking class. The classroom was a very nice building with a horseshoe shaped counter all of the participants sat at. It's about two hours long and towards the end you get to go outside and cook your own lunch/dinner. The only thing is you've got to book it through your cruise line, whichever one it might be. I'm thinking it was around $75. It was a laid back and relaxing time - I wouldn't need to do it again but if I was there and had friends who wanted to do it I'd be right there. :D Here's the link to their web page. Alaska's Wildest Kitchen Good luck and have fun! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted November 8, 2016 #11 Share Posted November 8, 2016 This is exactly what Spousal Unit and I did. We had already spent enough on excursions elsewhere, and none of the options at Icy Strait were must-dos for our interests. It was nice to have a relaxing day to wander without much concern about schedule. Thanks for the validation. I keep hearing the other POV... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugaltravel Posted November 8, 2016 #12 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Of all the cruise ports in Alaska on most cruise itineraries, Icy Strait Point is the one that I would try to plan some excursion vs. just walking around. Much more to do/see in other ports by walking around than in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah. To each his/her own for sure, but honestly there isn't much in Hoonah to see on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 8, 2016 #13 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Hoonah is the one place on the inside passage, that has ground, brown bear viewing options. I too have gone with and highly recommend TECKK Outfitters. I was again there, twice this year and agree, there are some excellent tours to consider. I don't waste my time in Alaska, and have preferences I take advantage of. :) Figure out what YOU want to accomplish on your Alaska visit. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheflauraleh Posted November 8, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I just went to the website for TECKK outfitters and it seems they are no longer offering tours. Anyone else offer similar tours independent of the cruise ships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffKoz Posted November 8, 2016 #15 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I highly recommend F.I.S.H.E.S. Whale watching tour. Been out with them twice !! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Highly recommend as well....have used them twice and already booked with them for next June...still time upon return to walk around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 8, 2016 #16 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I just went to the website for TECKK outfitters and it seems they are no longer offering tours. Anyone else offer similar tours independent of the cruise ships? http://www.visithoonah.com/tours_charters.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipsandDipper Posted November 9, 2016 #17 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I just went to the website for TECKK outfitters and it seems they are no longer offering tours. Anyone else offer similar tours independent of the cruise ships? Wow, that's a shock and a shame. We just went out with them in August. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougH Posted November 10, 2016 #18 Share Posted November 10, 2016 It's been a number of years but I had a great day watching bears with Brown Bear Lodge. They drove around and seemed to know pretty well where the bears were and we watched numerous ones feeding in the river. Drove around to several other spots with no real luck so went back to the original location after lunch as saw more. Not sure what month you are going so don't know if this would work for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAPCruises Posted November 11, 2016 #19 Share Posted November 11, 2016 We are doing Halibut fishing excursion here with Hooked Adventures. http://hookedadventures.com/charter-fishing/ Looking forward to it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahCBL Posted February 9, 2017 #20 Share Posted February 9, 2017 We went whale watching in ISP (Hoonah) this past September with Glacier Wind Charters. It was amazing! We are going out with them again this June. Their boat is a 6 person max so there is never anyone standing in front of you blocking the view. It is $120pp for a 3.5 hour trip. It is definitely worth the money. You will want to book something in ISP, because there isn't much to see/do just walking around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted February 9, 2017 #21 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Icy Strait Point excursions- What is the likelihood of seeing bears in early to mid-June? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny1954 Posted February 10, 2017 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I can only give you half of what you are asking. We were in ISP on 9/22 and carefully selected Glacier Wind Charters for a whale watching tour. They came with a great recommendation from several CC posters. The cost as $120/person. Unfortunately the weather turned horrible with heavy rain and rocky seas, so the tour was cancelled. Theresa was great to work with and refunded our money very quickly--it was delivered before we even got home. We were on this same sailing with Pizzalady1 and the weather WAS horrible that day. We booked the In Alaska's Wild Kitchen I think it was called thru the cruiseline. A little pricey but we enjoyed it. We cooked halibut and salmon over an alderwood fire. We also got the shuttle from the cruise port into town ($5 per person each way I think). We walked around but didn't stay long as we had a monsoon and heavy winds that day due to a huge storm front. To be honest, this cruise port needs more options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted February 10, 2017 #23 Share Posted February 10, 2017 We went whale watching in ISP (Hoonah) this past September with Glacier Wind Charters. It was amazing! We are going out with them again this June. Their boat is a 6 person max so there is never anyone standing in front of you blocking the view. It is $120pp for a 3.5 hour trip. It is definitely worth the money. You will want to book something in ISP, because there isn't much to see/do just walking around. I am booked with Glacier Wind Charters for this May, and the current price is $170.40 (with tax). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahCBL Posted February 10, 2017 #24 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I am booked with Glacier Wind Charters for this May, and the current price is $170.40 (with tax). Yes, I'm sorry. The $170pp you posted is correct and that is what I paid too. I was looking at the wrong thing when I posted that. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QShip Posted February 11, 2017 #25 Share Posted February 11, 2017 We went with F.I.S.H.E.S on our first cruise and had a great time. Saw humpback whales bubble feeding up close, mama bear and cubs and some very inquisitive seals, also up close. Was a great trip and are going to do it again in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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