If you’re venturing to Icy Strait Point on your Alaska journey, you’re in for something truly special. As someone who calls Juneau home, I can tell you—this little port near Hoonah is one of the most authentic slices of Southeast Alaska you can experience in just a single day. From wildlife and Native culture to adventure and slow moments of wonder, it’s all here and every bit of it is camera-worthy.
What I love about Hoonah is how peaceful it can be during the summertime. While the cruise ships bring in quite a few guests, if you explore further into town (and past the ‘downtown’ area), there’s a more rugged ‘Alaska’ feel to Hoonah.
Icy Strait Point is also in proximity to Glacier Bay National Park. The waters around Hoonah are magnificent and I have watched humpback whales bubble net feed as well as breach several times. It’s an incredible gem of a location. There’s still a 'ruggedness’ about the port town that feels like ‘old Alaska’.
Whether you’re arriving by cruise or exploring independently, here’s how to make the most of your day in Icy Strait Point with your lens (and heart) wide open.
Whale Watching in Port Frederick
Icy Strait is legendary for its humpback whales. The waters here are rich with herring, which draw massive whales into a feeding frenzy throughout the summer. Local operators—often born-and-raised Alaskans—run smaller, more personal tours that get you close (without disturbing the animals).
Photography Tip: Set your camera to a fast shutter speed (1/1000 or more) for those dramatic whale breaches. Keep your zoom handy for seabirds and sea otters—bald eagles are often perched on spruce trees near the shoreline.
If you're lucky, you’ll witness bubble-net feeding, a cooperative hunting strategy that’s rare and spectacular. It’s a must-see for any wildlife photographer.
Late Morning: Explore the Historic Cannery District
After the excitement on the water, take a step back in time. The restored 1912 salmon cannery at Icy Strait Point has been beautifully preserved and now houses artisan shops, a small museum, and storytelling exhibits about Hoonah’s history.
Photography Tip: The weathered wood of the cannery buildings and old rusted machinery are stunning for rustic detail shots. Try black and white for a timeless look.
This is also a great place to meet local Tlingit artists and pick up handcrafted gifts like carved totem animals or smoked salmon made right in Hoonah. The stories behind each item are often as beautiful as the crafts themselves.
Midday: Culture & Views
Tlingit Canoe and Cultural Experience
One of the most meaningful experiences you can have here is participating in a Tlingit canoe launch. You’ll be invited to paddle a traditional dugout canoe while learning about Indigenous songs, dances, and language.
Photography Tip: Ask permission before taking portraits, but the colors, beadwork, and movement during traditional performances are wonderful to photograph with a mid-zoom lens.
This moment connects you to the soul of Southeast Alaska—and it’s something you simply can’t experience elsewhere in the same way.
Sky Peak Gondola to the Top of the World
Hop on the Sky Peak Gondola, which takes you up 1,600 feet through the Tongass National Forest. From the summit, you’ll get jaw-dropping views of the Inside Passage, Port Frederick, and the snowcapped peaks of Chichagof Island.
Photography Tip: A wide-angle lens is perfect here to capture the vast scale of the landscape. If you’re lucky with weather, this is one of the best panoramic views in Southeast Alaska.
There are a few walking trails at the top, so give yourself time to wander and take in the alpine scenery.
Afternoon: Adventure or Serenity—Your Choice
ZipRider: The Ultimate Rush
If you’re feeling brave, the ZipRider at Icy Strait Point is a bucket list experience. It’s the world’s longest zipline at over a mile, and you’ll soar at speeds up to 60 mph, dropping 1,300 feet with views that’ll make your heart skip.
Photography Tip: If you’re not the one zipping, position yourself at the landing zone with a telephoto lens for great action shots. Riders often have giant smiles—or expressions of sheer adrenaline!
Nature Walk Along the Coastal Trail
Prefer something peaceful? The easy one-mile coastal trail between the cruise dock and Hoonah is perfect. You’ll pass through Sitka spruce forests, mossy ground cover, and often spot ravens, deer, and even bears (from a safe distance).
Photography Tip: Bring a macro lens or use portrait mode to capture textures—like lichen on driftwood, rain-speckled skunk cabbage, or reflections on tidepools.
This trail is also a good place to find your quiet moment, breathe in the salt air, and reflect on the place you’re in.
Evening: Dine Local, Stay Golden
Dinner with a Local Touch
Before you head back to the ship or ferry, treat yourself to a local meal. The Crab House near the cannery or The Fisherman’s Daughter in Hoonah serve fresh, local seafood like halibut tacos, salmon burgers, or a bowl of chowder that’ll warm your soul.
Photography Tip: Take food shots with natural light near the window—Alaskan cuisine looks best when you let its earthy colors shine.
You can also try spruce tip syrup or berry-infused drinks—true flavors of the Southeast.
Catch the Golden Hour
If you're still on land when the sun begins to dip, head to the beach or the dock. Sunset over Icy Strait is often breathtaking—especially when low clouds glow pink and purple behind the forested hills and fishing boats rock in the bay.
Photography Tip: Use a tripod and lower ISO to capture long exposures of the water and sky. Silhouetted trees and boats make striking compositions.
Wrap-Up from a Juneau Neighbor
Icy Strait Point is the kind of place that surprises you. It’s not flashy, but it’s rich with real Alaska—its people, its wildlife, and its rhythms. As someone who lives just a few islands over in Juneau, I always tell visitors this: Slow down here. Listen to the stories. And keep your camera at the ready—because the beauty of this place sneaks up on you in the best way.
Whether you're photographing whales or walking the forest trail in silence, Icy Strait has a way of sticking with you long after you’ve left. And that’s the kind of Alaska memory worth capturing.