Ear Mountain Charters tours: whale watching or fishing

Whales can turn a quiet harbor into a theater. Ear Mountain Charters gives you a small-boat way to explore Icy Strait, with whale watching and fishing trips leaving from Icy Strait Point and traveling through Hoonah. I like the six-person limit, which keeps the outing personal, and the sturdy 32-foot boat, with a heated cabin, bathroom, and seating for six. The main drawback is that you must bring your own rain gear, food, and drinks beyond water.

I also like the chance to see more than whales. The wildlife focus includes sea and land mammals, and one recent trip recorded whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions. At $284 per person, this is not a cheap shore excursion, but the price makes more sense if you value a small group, a capable boat, and several hours on the water. Fishing participants also need to buy a $15 day license.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, small group: The 32-foot North River offshore power boat carries up to six participants, giving you more room than a large harbor cruise.
• Two different Alaska outings: Choose whale watching for wildlife, or fishing for an active day on the water.
• Easy port pickup: You meet at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point, then ride about one mile to Hoonah.
• Useful onboard comforts: The boat has a heated cabin, bathroom, seating, twin 250-horsepower motors, and a 25-horsepower kicker motor.
• Wildlife can be varied: The trip may include whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and other sea or land mammals.
• Prepare for wet weather: Rain gear is not supplied, and you should bring quick-dry clothes, closed-toe shoes, medication, and a card or cash alternative for required purchases.

Choosing between whale watching and fishing

Ear Mountain Charters offers two distinct ways to spend your time around Icy Strait. Whale watching is the better fit if your priority is wildlife and scenery. Fishing suits you if you want to handle equipment and get a clearer sense of what Alaska fishing is like.

The whale-watching option includes a boat cruise, sightseeing, marine life viewing, whale watching, and wildlife viewing. The listed sightseeing portion lasts about 3.5 hours, although the overall activity range is given as 3 to 6 hours depending on the trip selected and schedule available.

The fishing option is more hands-on. Fishing gear is supplied, which saves you from packing equipment or renting it separately. You still need to purchase a $15 fishing license, so add that to the advertised price when planning your budget.

I would choose whale watching for a first visit to Icy Strait Point, especially if your port day is short. You get a broad look at the area and a chance to see several kinds of wildlife. I would choose fishing if the activity itself matters as much as the scenery and you are happy to spend a longer stretch on the water.

Starting at Icy Strait Point and reaching Hoonah

Your day begins at Icy Strait Point, a cruise port with two possible docking areas. The pickup point is the Excursion Hub, so allow time to walk there after leaving your ship.

If your ship uses the Wilderness Dock, take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area. Once you get off, turn left and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub pickup area.

If your ship uses the Adventure Dock, walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center. Exit through Door 2 at the end of the building, then follow the Excursion Hub signs outside.

Pickup takes place 30 minutes after the ship arrives in port. That timing is important. You do not need to rush off the ship the instant it docks, but you should be ready to walk directly to the meeting point. I would avoid booking anything immediately before the charter, since a slow disembarkation or a wrong turn around the port could cost you valuable time.

After pickup, you load into a van for the short drive to Hoonah, about one mile away. Hoonah is not just a transfer point. It is the local base for the boat portion, and you return there at the end of the outing.

Hoonah gives the tour a local starting point

Hoonah is the place where you board the 32-foot North River offshore power boat. The short drive from Icy Strait Point keeps the port logistics simple, while giving the trip a connection to the nearby community rather than confining the whole experience to the cruise dock.

The supplied information does not promise a separate walking tour or a long stop in town, so think of Hoonah mainly as the boat departure point. Still, its location gives you a useful option after the charter. When you return to the harbor, you may stay in town to explore, or return to Icy Strait Point by shuttle.

That flexibility is handy on a cruise day. If you have plenty of time before the ship leaves, staying in Hoonah lets you avoid an immediate return to the port. If your schedule is tight, take the shuttle back to Icy Strait Point rather than adding an unplanned delay.

The 32-foot boat and what it means for comfort

The boat is a 32-foot North River offshore power boat with twin 250-horsepower motors and a 25-horsepower kicker motor. You do not need to know much about boat engines to understand the practical benefit: this is a purpose-built vessel rather than a small open skiff.

There is a heated cabin, a bathroom, and seating for six participants. Those details matter in Alaska, where cool air and rain can change the feel of a boat ride quickly. The cabin gives you a place to warm up, and the bathroom removes one common worry on a several-hour outing.

The small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. With no more than six people, you are less likely to spend the whole trip behind a crowd or fighting for a view. A small group also makes fishing equipment easier to manage and allows the boat experience to feel more personal.

Still, this is a boat trip, not a lounge cruise. You should expect movement, weather, and time outside. Bring the right clothing rather than assuming the heated cabin will solve every comfort problem.

Whale watching around Icy Strait

The whale-watching route focuses on the water around Icy Strait, with sightseeing and marine life viewing built into the outing. The exact wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the range of animals is appealing. The trip may include whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and other marine or land mammals.

One verified outing recorded whales, orcas, otters, and sea lions. That is an unusually satisfying mix for a single wildlife trip, but it should be treated as a strong example rather than a promise. Wild animals set the schedule. You may see several species, or you may spend more time watching the water and waiting.

That uncertainty is part of the value. A small boat can make the wildlife search feel active rather than passive. You are not simply sitting in a fixed viewing area. You are moving through a part of Alaska known for dramatic scenery and marine life, with the captain guiding the search.

I especially like that the tour is not limited to one headline animal. Whales attract most people, but sea otters and sea lions can be just as memorable, particularly when the water is quiet and the boat is carrying only a few people. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire trip looking through a screen.

Fishing in Alaska with equipment provided

Fishing trips offer a different pace. The point is not only to see Alaska from the water, but to take part in the activity itself. Gear is provided, which makes this a practical choice if fishing is important to you but you do not want to pack rods, tackle, or related equipment.

You must purchase a $15 day license. Bring a credit card and your fishing license if already arranged, along with clothing that can get dirty. Quick-dry clothing and closed-toe shoes are especially sensible because fishing is an active boat activity, and clean, dry casual clothes may not stay that way.

The supplied information does not promise a specific species, catch, or fishing method. That is worth noting before you book. You are paying for time on the water and the chance to fish in Alaska, not a guaranteed haul.

Fishing also requires more patience than a sightseeing cruise. If you want constant action, the experience may feel slow at times. If you enjoy the process, the weather, the gear, and the possibility of a catch, it can be the more rewarding option.

The scenery is part of the experience

The wildlife gets the attention, but the scenery gives the tour its setting. Icy Strait is presented as a place of striking views, and the boat ride lets you experience the area from the water rather than from a port road or viewing platform.

A boat changes your sense of distance. The harbor, shoreline, and open water become part of one continuous view. Even when animals stay out of sight, you are still spending time in a spectacular Alaskan setting.

Do not expect the tour to function like a scripted sightseeing route with a long list of guaranteed stops. The focus is on wildlife and fishing, so the boat needs to respond to conditions and the purpose of the chosen trip. That is good for authenticity, but it also means the day may feel less predictable.

What to pack for a wet, active day

Rain gear is not supplied. This is the most important packing note. Bring a proper waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers if you have them, rather than relying on a light sweatshirt or a small umbrella.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and bare feet are not allowed. Quick-dry clothes are recommended, and you should choose clothing that can get dirty, especially for fishing.

You should also bring:

• A passport or ID card
• A credit card
• Personal medication
• Rain gear
• Quick-dry clothing
• Closed-toe shoes
• A fishing license for fishing trips

Food and drinks are not provided apart from water. Pack accordingly, though drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and alcoholic drinks are not permitted. Red wine is specifically prohibited, as are smoking, vaping, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, and intoxication.

Children under four years are not suitable for the activity, and the information also lists children under three, children under two, and babies under one as unsuitable. In practical terms, do not plan this charter for an infant or very young child. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm that the specific boat transfer and your needs match before booking.

Is $284 per person a fair price?

At $284 per person, this charter sits in the premium shore-excursion range. The value comes from the small group and the boat itself, not from a long list of included meals or extras.

You are paying for a 32-foot offshore boat, a heated cabin, a bathroom, a trained captain and guide, transportation from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah, and several hours focused on wildlife or fishing. For a party of up to six, the cost can feel reasonable if you value privacy and direct access to the water.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short scenic ride or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. A larger boat excursion may be cheaper per person, though it would not offer the same small-group setup. Fishing participants should also add the $15 day license.

I would judge the price by your priorities. For a rare Alaska port call, a small boat and several hours in Icy Strait can be worth the splurge. If you have a tight budget or are content with a general port tour, this may be more than you need.

Timing, cancellation, and booking flexibility

The experience lasts between 3 and 6 hours, with the whale-watching schedule listed at about 3.5 hours. Check the available start time carefully, especially if you are arriving on a cruise ship and need to be back onboard by a fixed deadline.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your cruise plans may change.

English is the tour language. The group is limited to six participants, and the activity operates from Icy Strait Point before moving to Hoonah and back.

Who will enjoy Ear Mountain Charters most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a close-up boat experience rather than a large organized cruise. It suits wildlife fans, keen photographers, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone who values a quiet group with more personal space.

It is also a strong choice for visitors who want to do more than walk around Icy Strait Point. The short van transfer and the option to remain in Hoonah afterward make good use of a port day.

I would think twice if you dislike uncertain weather, cannot manage several hours on a boat, or need meals and drinks included. The tour is also not suitable for very young children, and poor packing could make a wet day uncomfortable.

Should you book this charter?

Book Ear Mountain Charters if you want a focused Alaska experience with only a handful of people around you. Choose whale watching for wildlife variety, especially if seeing whales, orcas, otters, and sea lions is your main goal. Choose fishing if you want to take part rather than simply watch.

My practical advice is simple: check your ship schedule, arrive at the Excursion Hub on time, wear waterproof layers, and bring food for before or after the boat trip. At $284, it is a special-occasion excursion, but the small group and capable boat give it a real advantage over a basic port ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point.

How do I reach the Excursion Hub from the Wilderness Dock?

Take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area, turn left after getting off, and follow the Excursion Hub signs to the pickup area.

How do I reach the pickup point from the Adventure Dock?

Walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center, exit through Door 2 at the end of the building, and follow the signs outside to the Excursion Hub.

When is pickup scheduled?

Pickup times are 30 minutes after the ship arrives in port.

How far is Hoonah from Icy Strait Point?

Hoonah is about one mile from Icy Strait Point, and you reach it by van before boarding the boat.

How many people can join the boat tour?

The small group is limited to six participants, and the boat has seating for six.

What is included on fishing tours?

Fishing gear is provided. You must purchase a $15 day fishing license.

Is food provided?

No. Food and beverages are not provided, apart from water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.