Hoonah: Icy Strait Whale Watch with Drone Filmography

Whales from above change the whole picture. This three-hour trip from Icy Strait Point combines a small boat, Captain Josh’s sharp eye for wildlife, and aerial drone film that shows whales swimming below the surface. I especially like the maximum 14 passengers and the included USB footage, which gives you more than a few rushed snapshots.

I also like the range of wildlife you might see, from humpbacks and orcas to sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and brown bears. The main consideration is the $255 price, which is a serious splurge for a three-hour cruise, and sightings remain wild and unpredictable even with a captain who has an excellent record of finding whales.

Key points to know before you book

• The drone changes the experience: You can see the full shape of a whale from above, including its movement just below the surface.
• Small boat, small group: The boat carries no more than 14 passengers, giving everyone a better chance at a clear view.
• Captain Josh leads the search: He guides the boat through Icy Strait and has been praised for finding humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and bears.
• The USB is included: You receive footage from that day, including wildlife and video of your group aboard the boat.
• Allow extra time at the port: Transport from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah takes about 15 minutes each way, and check-in is 15 minutes before departure.
• Wildlife sightings can be varied: Humpbacks are the main target, but past outings have also included bubble feeding, breaching, porpoises, bears, eagles, and seals.

Why this Icy Strait whale watch feels different

Many whale cruises give you a boat-level view: scan the water, wait for a blow, then hope a tail appears before the whale slips away. This outing adds another angle. While you watch from the boat, a powerful filmography drone records the whales from above.

That matters because a humpback’s most dramatic action is often hidden below the surface. From the boat, you may see a back, a fin, a tail, or a burst of spray. The aerial footage can show the animal’s full body, its path through the water, and the shape of a group moving together.

Captain Josh does not simply send you home with generic wildlife footage. The stated plan is to provide a USB containing footage from your own trip, including whales, other wildlife, and passengers on the boat. You still need to pay attention in the moment, but the video gives you a second chance to notice what was hard to see from the rail.

The aerial view is especially useful for families. A child may struggle to follow a distant whale at water level, while a clear overhead clip can make the animal’s size and movement much easier to understand. It also gives you something substantial to share at home instead of a shaky photograph of an empty patch of sea.

From Icy Strait Point to Hoonah by shuttle

Your day begins at Icy Strait Point, a cruise port with two possible docking areas. If your ship uses the Adventure Dock, walk to the Adventure Center, pass through the building, exit through door number 2, and follow the signs along the gravel path to the Excursion Hub.

The walk takes about six to eight minutes. I would allow extra time if you walk slowly or need to keep track of a larger family group. Check in 15 minutes early because the transport leaves on time.

Ships using the Wilderness Dock require a little more planning. The walk to the Adventure Center takes about 25 minutes, or you can take the Transporter Gondola, which takes about three minutes. From the gondola, follow the sign toward the Excursion Hub. At the hub, look for Hoonah Travel Adventures, the partner handling your round-trip transport.

The bus ride to Hoonah takes about 15 minutes. It is not a sightseeing stop with a long visit in town. Think of Hoonah as the launching point for the boat portion, with the real focus on the inland waters of Icy Strait.

This transfer is useful for cruise passengers because you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the marina on your own. It does add a little structure to the morning or afternoon, so you should keep the port walk and shuttle timing in mind when comparing this outing with an excursion that departs directly from the ship.

Three hours on the inland waters of Icy Strait

Once aboard, Captain Josh searches the inland waters around Icy Strait for humpback whales and other wildlife. The boat is described as comfortable and limited to 14 passengers, a useful size for watching animals without feeling packed into a large vessel.

The exact route changes with the animals. That is a good thing. Whales do not follow a fixed itinerary, and the captain needs room to adjust when a pod appears elsewhere or when another species catches the group’s attention.

Expect time spent scanning the water for blows, backs, tails, and movement. Past trips have included humpbacks traveling in groups, breaching, tail displays, and bubble-net feeding. Bubble feeding is one of the most exciting sights in the area because whales work together to gather fish before rising through the water.

You may also see orcas, sea lions, sea otters, seals, porpoises, bald eagles, kingfishers, jumping salmon, or brown bears along the shore. One outing included a mother bear with three cubs, while another found a mother bear with two cubs and a male bear. These sightings are possible, not promised, so I would book this for the chance to see a broad range of wildlife rather than for one guaranteed animal.

The boat is not allowed to get too close to whales. That is an important point for your expectations. You will often be watching from a respectful distance, and the experience depends on patience, good timing, and the captain’s ability to position the boat legally and safely.

The drone helps bridge that distance, but it does not turn a wild animal into a close-contact attraction. You still watch from the boat, while the camera provides a clearer view from above.

Captain Josh, Jamie, and the value of good guiding

The strongest praise centers on Captain Josh and his crew. Josh is described as personable, careful about safety, and highly skilled at finding wildlife. Crew members named in different outings include Jamie, Andrew, Alex, Joel, and others from Josh’s team.

A good wildlife captain does more than drive toward the nearest blow. You want someone who can read the water, explain what you are seeing, and give the group a reason to stay alert during quieter stretches. Josh has been praised for explaining whales, the local ecosystem, and the behavior of the animals around the boat.

I also like that the crew seems to treat the trip as a shared experience rather than a quick photo stop. Families have described the outing as suitable for a wide age range, from children to older adults. On one trip, the crew worked with the group to help a passenger who used a wheelchair get on and off the boat. That is encouraging, but you should still discuss your own mobility needs with the operator before booking, since the supplied information does not promise full accessibility.

Safety is another repeated strength. The crew keeps watch, answers questions, and works within the rules about distance from whales. That combination of enthusiasm and restraint is exactly what you want on a wildlife trip.

The drone footage is more than a souvenir

The drone film is the tour’s main reason to choose it over a standard whale watch. You can watch the footage aboard the boat as the trip continues from one area to another, so it does not need to interrupt every wildlife sighting.

This is a smart arrangement. The crew can keep the boat moving and searching while showing you what the drone captured during the previous encounter. You get the live excitement of the boat and a clearer look at the footage afterward.

The overhead view can reveal details you simply cannot see from the rail. A whale may look like a dark curve at the surface, but the drone can show the whole animal, its direction, and its position beneath the water. When several whales travel together, the wider view can also show how they spread out or regroup.

The USB drive is included in the $255 price. That adds real value, especially if you are traveling with children or marking a major birthday, anniversary, or once-in-a-lifetime Alaska holiday. You can also add your own photographs and video from the boat’s outdoor viewing area.

One practical note: do not spend the whole trip looking down at your phone. The drone captures material you cannot film yourself, so keep your eyes on the water when the crew points out live action. The USB is there to help you remember the day, not replace it.

What the $255 price gets you

At $255 per person, this is not a budget port activity. You are paying for a three-hour private-boat wildlife outing with a maximum of 14 passengers, round-trip transport from the cruise-port excursion hub, drinks and snack bars, drone filming, and the USB copy of that day’s footage.

The price makes more sense if you compare it with the complete package rather than only the time on the water. A large cruise-ship boat may offer a lower price or easier booking, but this trip gives you a smaller group, a more personal setting, and an unusual aerial record of your wildlife sightings.

The included footage is the biggest value difference. If you already own a good camera and mainly want a chance to see whales, a less expensive boat trip may suit you. If you care about having a strong visual record to take home, the drone gives this outing a clear purpose.

I would also consider how much you value space and attention. With no more than 14 passengers, you are less likely to feel herded from one viewing side to another. You can ask questions and follow the captain’s explanations more easily. For a family group filling most of the boat, that personal feel may be worth the extra cost.

Comfort, weather, and what to bring

The boat has been described as warm and comfortable, with outdoor space for watching and taking your own photos. Conditions in Icy Strait can still be cold, wet, or windy. One outing took place in drizzle, and the group continued to enjoy the search, but you should dress for changing weather rather than rely on a pleasant forecast.

Bring warm layers and rain protection. Keep your camera or phone secure, especially when the boat moves or when you gather outside. Snacks and soft drinks are provided, but the supplied information does not describe a full meal, so eat before departure if you need more than a light refreshment.

Plan your port timing carefully. The tour lasts three hours, plus the shuttle ride each way and the walk or gondola ride to the Excursion Hub. You need to return to Icy Strait Point with enough time before your ship departs. The activity includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship dock Excursions Hub, but you should still follow the operator’s check-in instructions closely.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. That is worth noting if you want detailed explanations about whale behavior and local wildlife.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to:

• People who want a small-group boat instead of a large cruise excursion
• Families who will enjoy seeing whales and other animals from above
• Photographers and wildlife fans who value take-home footage
• Cruise passengers who want a focused three-hour activity in Icy Strait
• Anyone hoping to see more than humpbacks, including orcas, otters, sea lions, eagles, or bears

It may be less suitable if your budget is tight or if you need a guaranteed close view of one specific species. Even a skilled captain cannot control the animals, and legal viewing distances still apply.

The 4.9 rating from 89 reviews reflects strong satisfaction, and the praise is unusually consistent around three points: Captain Josh’s guiding, the small boat, and the drone footage. That does not remove the normal uncertainty of wildlife watching, but it does show that the experience delivers its main promise often enough to earn a strong reputation.

Should you book the Icy Strait whale watch?

I would book it if you want a personal wildlife outing and care about the finished video as much as the live sightings. The combination of Captain Josh’s local searching, a 14-passenger boat, and overhead drone footage gives you something different from a basic whale cruise.

At $255, I would not call it cheap. I would call it good value for the right person, especially if the USB footage will become a lasting part of your Alaska memories. Book it if you can accept that wildlife is never fully predictable and if you want the best chance of seeing the action from more than one angle.

FAQ

How long does the Hoonah whale-watching experience last?

The boat and wildlife excursion lasts three hours. The itinerary also includes about 15 minutes of bus travel from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah and about 15 minutes back.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point. If your ship arrives at the Adventure Dock, walk through the Adventure Center, exit through door number 2, and follow the signs. If your ship uses the Wilderness Dock, allow about 25 minutes to walk to the Adventure Center, or use the three-minute Transporter Gondola.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 15 minutes before departure. The transport leaves on time, so allow extra time for the walk from your ship or for finding the Excursion Hub.

How many passengers are on the boat?

The private boat carries a maximum of 14 passengers. This gives you a smaller group setting for watching wildlife and asking questions.

What wildlife might I see?

The main target is humpback whales. You might also see sea lions, sea otters, orcas, brown bears, seals, porpoises, bald eagles, kingfishers, and salmon.

Is the drone footage included?

Yes. The tour includes drone filming during the wildlife outing, and you receive a USB drive with footage from that day. The material can include whales, other wildlife, and passengers aboard the boat.