Alaska Whale Watching with bonus Drone viewing of Whales

Whales are only half the story. This three-hour trip from Hoonah pairs close wildlife watching in Icy Strait with live drone filming, giving you both the view from the boat and an overhead look at whales moving through the water. Captain Josh leads the tour, sharing local commentary while searching for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seals, sea lions, bears, eagles, and porpoises.

I like the small 14-passenger boat, where you can move between indoor and outdoor viewing areas without fighting a crowd. I also like the included aerial footage, sent home on a USB drive, which means you can watch the whales instead of worrying about getting the perfect phone video. The main consideration is weather: fog can limit visibility and may prevent the drone from flying.

Icy Strait is a strong place to book a whale trip during a cruise stop, but allow extra time to reach the meeting point. Depending on your ship’s dock, the walk takes about 6 to 25 minutes, and the tour leaves on time.

Key points to know before booking

• Drone footage adds a second viewpoint: You may watch a whale from the boat, then see the same animal from above later.
• The boat holds no more than 14 people: That gives you better sightlines and a quieter ride than a large excursion boat.
• Captain Josh leads the search: He provides commentary and has a stated 100 percent success rate for finding humpback whales.
• Wildlife can include much more than whales: Sightings have included orcas, sea otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, brown bears, eagles, and bear cubs.
• The tour begins and ends at Icy Strait Point: Pickup into town is offered after check-in at the Excursion Hub.
• Weather matters: Fog may reduce what you can see and can stop the drone from flying, so bring realistic expectations.

Why the 14-passenger boat changes the experience

The biggest practical advantage is size. With a maximum of 14 people, you are not looking over the heads of a hundred other passengers when a whale surfaces. You can use the front or back viewing areas, and the boat also has an indoor space when wind, spray, or cold weather sets in.

That setup matters in Icy Strait, where wildlife may appear on either side of the boat. A small group also makes it easier to hear Captain Josh’s explanations and follow his instructions when something appears. Several outings have included only about 10 people, leaving plenty of room to move around.

This is not a luxury yacht experience. It is a compact wildlife boat built for visibility, with enough shelter to make the three-hour trip more comfortable. I would still dress in layers and expect Alaska conditions to change quickly.

Meeting the boat at Icy Strait Point

Your official starting point is the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point, near 108 Cannery Road in Hoonah. Check in at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat leaves on time, which is especially important when your tour is tied to a cruise ship schedule.

If your ship uses the Adventure Dock, walk through the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center and exit through door number 2. Follow the signs along the gravel path to the Excursion Hub. The walk takes about 6 to 8 minutes, though you should allow more time if you walk slowly.

From the Wilderness Dock, the walk is about 25 minutes. You can also take the Transporter Gondola, which takes about three minutes to the Adventure Center, then follow the signs to the Excursion Hub.

Look for a driver holding an orange sign marked Alaska Whale and Drone Tours. That person will check you in and take you into town. The pickup is useful, but do not treat it as a reason to arrive at the last minute. A cruise port can be confusing, especially when several tours are loading at once.

Heading into Icy Strait in search of whales

Once aboard, the main work begins: finding wildlife. The route is not a fixed sightseeing loop with a set list of stops. Captain Josh searches the waters of Icy Strait and adjusts the trip based on sightings, conditions, and animal activity.

Humpback whales are the main target. The area is known for seasonal whale watching, and the company states that it has found humpbacks on every tour. That is an impressive claim, but it should not be read as a promise of a particular behavior. A whale might surface once, linger near the boat, travel with a calf, or put on a more dramatic display such as breaching or bubble-net feeding.

Some outings have included several humpbacks, with one report describing nine whales. Bubble-net feeding has also been seen, a special behavior in which whales work together to gather food. If you happen upon that activity, it can become the defining moment of the trip.

The captain’s role matters here. Guests consistently praise Josh for spotting whales before anyone else and for moving toward areas with animal activity. His commentary covers the animals and the surrounding waters, giving the trip more purpose than simply waiting for a blow or a tail.

More than humpbacks: orcas, otters, bears, and seals

Whale watching is the headline, but I would consider the wider list of wildlife part of the value. Sightings have included orcas swimming in pods, porpoises, harbor seals, sea lions, and large groups of sea otters.

Sea otters can be easy to miss from a large boat, especially when they are floating low in the water. A smaller vessel gives you a better chance to follow them when they appear. Sea lions and seals may also turn up near the same areas, creating a busy stretch of wildlife watching even when whales are not surfacing.

Brown bears, bear cubs, and eagles have also been seen. These sightings are not guaranteed, and the tour’s stated 100 percent success rate applies to humpback whales, not every animal listed. That distinction is worth keeping clear when you decide how much wildlife variety to expect.

The best approach is to enjoy the whole search rather than measure the trip only by the number of whale sightings. I would be thrilled by orcas or bubble-net feeding, but a trip with humpbacks, otters, seals, and a strong guide can still be a fine use of a port day.

How the drone footage adds real value

The drone is the feature that sets this trip apart. While you watch from the boat, the crew can send up a professional filmography drone to record the animals from above. The aim is not to replace the live sighting. It gives you a different way to understand what you just saw.

From the boat, you see the whale surface, blow, roll, or show its tail. From above, you may see the entire animal moving through the water, a calf staying close to its mother, or orcas traveling together. That broader view can make the behavior easier to understand.

The footage is provided after the tour on a USB drive, one per group. Some outings have also offered direct phone transfer, including to iPhones, but the confirmed included item is the USB drive. Bring enough storage on your phone if you hope to receive a digital copy directly.

I especially like the pressure this removes. Wildlife photography from a moving boat is hard. You can spend the whole trip staring through a phone screen and still miss the best moment. Knowing that aerial footage is being recorded lets you watch the whales with your own eyes.

There is a small tradeoff. One person did wish for more drone clips and still photographs as well as video. The drone is an excellent bonus, but it is not a personal, edited film of every animal you see. The exact amount of footage will depend on weather, visibility, and what the animals do.

Fog, wind, and the limits of a wildlife tour

The most important drawback is outside the captain’s control. This experience requires good weather, and fog can change the day completely.

On a foggy outing, some people saw seals, otters, and whales, but visibility was limited. The drone could not operate normally and was used only for wave footage, while other footage was shared afterward. That is a real limitation if the aerial video is the main reason you booked.

The tour may be canceled for poor weather, in which case you can receive a different date or a full refund. But conditions can also be safe enough to operate while still being disappointing for visibility. If the boat goes out, you may spend much of the three hours searching through mist.

I would check the forecast, but I would not assume it tells the whole story. Coastal weather can shift quickly. Pack waterproof layers, warm clothing, and a hat that will stay on. The indoor viewing area helps, yet this remains an outdoor marine excursion, not a sheltered aquarium visit.

Is $249 a fair price?

At $249 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see whales in Alaska. The price makes more sense when you consider the small boat, captain-led guiding, pickup, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and aerial footage.

A large cruise excursion may carry far more people and offer less room around the railings. Here, the group limit gives you a better chance at an unobstructed view, and the drone creates a souvenir that ordinary whale trips do not include.

The value depends on what you want. If you simply need a basic boat ride and are happy to watch whales from a distance, the price may feel high. If you care about a smaller group, direct guide commentary, flexible wildlife searching, and take-home video, the cost is easier to justify.

There is one practical note about refreshments. The tour information lists snacks and soda or other non-alcoholic drinks as included, but one recent experience reported that no food or drinks were available. I would bring a small personal snack and water so the issue does not affect your day.

Who will enjoy this Hoonah excursion most?

This trip suits couples, families, and friends who want a personal-scale boat ride rather than a large ship excursion. It is also a strong choice for anyone who has already watched whales from a big boat and wants a different format.

It works well for people who value photographs and video but do not want to spend the entire trip filming. The drone gives you a record of the experience while you stay focused on the live animals.

Families should note that the boat can be active and exposed, with changing conditions on the water. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with a three-hour wildlife trip and a boat ride in potentially cold or foggy weather.

I would choose this tour over another whale outing at the same port if the group size and drone footage appeal to you. I would not choose it if a guaranteed clear view or a fully sheltered ride is your top concern.

Booking, cancellations, and timing

The tour is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of about 163 days. That long lead time makes sense for cruise passengers, since port days can sell out quickly and the boat holds only 14 people.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator may offer another date or experience, or provide a full refund.

The tour lasts about three hours and returns to the meeting point. English is the operating language, mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Should you book Alaska Whale Watching With Drone Footage?

I would book it if you want a small boat, strong guide attention, and a memorable video souvenir from your time in Icy Strait. The most praised elements are consistent: Captain Josh’s ability to locate animals, the open views from the compact boat, and the aerial footage showing whales in a way you cannot see from the rail.

Book with sensible weather expectations. Fog may limit both wildlife viewing and drone work, and the exact animal activity cannot be controlled. Still, for a cruise stop in Hoonah, this is a well-focused choice that gives you more than a standard whale search: you get the live encounter, the captain’s local guidance, and a second view from above.

FAQ

How long does the whale-watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The vessel has a maximum capacity of 14 travelers.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point. Check in there at least 15 minutes before departure.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, orcas, coastal brown bears, sea lions, seals, sea otters, porpoises, eagles, and bear cubs. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, except that the operator states a 100 percent success rate for finding humpback whales.

Is drone footage included?

Yes. A USB drive with drone footage of the whales is included, with one drive provided per group. Direct phone transfer has also been offered on some outings.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.