Cruise Port Guide
Hoonah Cruise Port
Quick answerShips dock at one of Icy Strait Point's two floating piers, Ocean Landing or Wilderness Landing, so there is normally no tender; a free transporter gondola links Wilderness Landing to the cannery area. Hoonah town is about 1.5 miles away: a flat 20–30 minute walk beside the road, or a short shuttle ride for a small fee. Leave Hoonah at least 90 minutes before all-aboard.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
Transporter gondola (Wilderness Landing to the cannery)
About 11 minutes · Free
Walkable to centre
Yes
About 30 min · 2.4 km
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~8h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
90 min
PortTrip planning default
Currency
USD
English
Transport and cost figures are estimates — always confirm current fares at the terminal.
Plan your Hoonah day
Tell us two things and we'll build the whole day around your ship's schedule.
Free preview · no account needed
Know your ship? See which other ships are in Hoonah with you →Leave-by calculator
When to head back to the ship in Hoonah
Cannery and shops (ship at Ocean Landing)
Walk about 7 minutes along the beach trail
Leave by
16:20
Cannery and shops (ship at Wilderness Landing)
Free transporter gondola about 11 minutes, or walk about 15 minutes
Leave by
16:15
Hoonah
Walk 20–30 minutes on the flat path, or the town shuttle about 5 minutes
Leave by
16:00
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Leaving it too late to book the ZipRider or whale watching, which sell out before the ship arrives.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Hoonah day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Hoonah? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeTransport: Icy Strait Point (Ocean Landing and Wilderness Landing) to Hoonah
Icy Strait Point is a cruise destination built around a restored 1912 salmon cannery outside Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. It is owned and run by Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, and most of what you do here is either on its grounds or booked through it: the ZipRider, the SkyGlider gondola, whale and bear trips, and cultural shows. The cannery, beach, shops and restaurants are free to wander. For something unpackaged, walk the road into Hoonah, a working fishing town with a harbour, a brewery and a seafood shack.
Walkable? Yes · about 30 min (2.4 km)
The cannery, shops and beach are a short walk from either pier. Hoonah is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the cannery on a flat path beside the road, 20–30 minutes on foot. Add 15 minutes if your ship is at Wilderness Landing and you walk rather than take the gondola.
Where your ship docks
- Ocean Landing (also called Adventure Landing) · 2.4 km to the centre — The original floating dock, opened in 2016, closest to the historic cannery: about 7 minutes' walk along the beach trail or boardwalk. The Adventure Center (tour check-in) is near this pier.
- Wilderness Landing · 3.2 km to the centre — Second floating pier, opened in August 2021 for larger ships, about half a mile south of the cannery area. Vehicle-free. A free transporter gondola links it to the cannery side; walking takes about 15 minutes. Duck Point Smokehouse and the SkyGlider gondola are near this pier.
Transporter gondola (Wilderness Landing to the cannery)
FreeAbout 11 minutes
Links the two piers through the trees. Wheelchair and scooter accessible. Walking paths also connect the piers, about 15 minutes.
On foot to Hoonah
Free20–30 minutes
From the boardwalk follow signs towards the town shuttle; the walking path starts beside the ticket booth, where you can pick up a Hoonah map. The route is flat with a sidewalk and passes the Old Bear Clan Cemetery.
Hoonah town shuttle
Small fee; buy at the Icy Strait Point ticket boothAbout 5 minutes
Leaves from beside the ticket booth. Tickets are sold at the booth, not on the bus. The return pick-up in Hoonah is in front of Icy Strait Brewing. There are no taxis or rideshare.
SkyGlider gondola (Hoonah Mountain)
Paid; check at the Adventure Center or in your cruise plannerAbout 6–7 minutes up
Climbs to about 1,300–1,600 ft near the ZipRider launch, with views over Icy Strait.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
Leave Hoonah 90 minutes before all-aboard (16:00 for a 17:30 all-aboard). If your ship is at Wilderness Landing, be at the cannery-side gondola station at least 75 minutes before.
The walk from Hoonah takes up to 30 minutes and there are no taxis if the shuttle is busy. The gondola transfer to Wilderness Landing adds about 11 minutes, more if there is a queue. Ship excursions return you to the pier on time; independent plans do not.
If you're running late
If you miss the shuttle in Hoonah, walk: it is flat and about 30 minutes. If you will miss all-aboard, tell Icy Strait Point staff at the Adventure Center or ticket booth and call the port agent number on your daily programme.
A one-day plan for Hoonah (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes the ship docks at Ocean Landing at 08:00 and all-aboard is 17:30, with a pre-booked whale-watching cruise.
08:15 Walk along the beach trail to the cannery (about 7 minutes). Look at the free cannery museum before the shops fill.
09:00 Check in at the Adventure Center for a pre-booked Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise (2.5 hours).
12:00 Lunch at The Cookhouse (halibut and chips) or The Crab House in the cannery.
13:00 Walk the flat path to Hoonah (20–30 minutes), past the Old Bear Clan Cemetery.
13:30 Walk the Hoonah Sea Walk and harbour; stop at Icy Strait Brewing or The Fisherman's Daughter.
15:00 Shuttle or walk back to Icy Strait Point. Watch for whales from the beach.
16:30 Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Hoonah on a cruise day
Historic cannery and museum
Restored Hoonah Packing Company cannery from 1912, with a free museum, a dozen shops including Alaska Native-owned ones, and restaurants.
⏱ 45 minutes–1 hourFree
Tip: A few minutes from Ocean Landing; go early before the excursion crowds return.
ZipRider
Six side-by-side cables over 5,000 ft long with a vertical drop of about 1,300 ft, ending on the beach; opened in 2007.
⏱ About 1.5 hours including the gondolaFrom $199 with gondola on Holland America (2026)
Tip: Weight 75–275 lb. Not for pregnant guests or those with back or neck problems. Book before you sail.
Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise
Boat trip towards Point Adolphus, a known humpback feeding area, with a naturalist on board.
⏱ 2.5 hoursCheck your cruise planner
Tip: Humpbacks and orcas are sometimes visible from shore too, so bring binoculars to the beach.
Hoonah
Alaska's largest Tlingit village, a working fishing town with a harbour and sea walk.
⏱ 1.5–2 hoursFree on foot
Tip: The flat walk is part of the visit. Return shuttles stop in front of Icy Strait Brewing.
SkyGlider gondola and mountaintop
Gondola up Hoonah Mountain near the ZipRider launch, with views over Icy Strait.
⏱ 1–1.5 hoursCheck at the Adventure Center
Tip: The ZipRider package includes the ride up. Cloud can hide the view.
Hoonah Sightseeing & Culture Experience
Guided Hoonah tour with a cultural show at the Heritage Center.
⏱ 1.5 hoursCheck your cruise planner
Tip: The easiest way to see Tlingit dance and storytelling on a short call.
Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search
Guided trip to viewing areas on Chichagof Island, which has one of the densest brown bear populations in Alaska.
⏱ 2.5 hoursCheck your cruise planner
Tip: Sightings are not guaranteed; salmon runs later in summer improve the odds.
Beaches near Hoonah cruise port
Icy Strait Point beach
Walk from either pier along the beach trail · A few minutes · Free
Stony shoreline for watching whales, sea otters and eagles rather than swimming. The ZipRider lands here.
What to eat in Hoonah
Crab cooked to order and a crab-garnished Bloody Mary
The Crab House, Icy Strait Point (by the cannery)
Halibut and chips, smash burgers
The Cookhouse Restaurant, in the historic cannery
Smoked salmon dishes and brick-oven pizza
Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant, near Wilderness Landing and the Adventure Center
Halibut or salmon tacos
The Fisherman's Daughter, Hoonah
Local beer, pizza and salmon cakes
Icy Strait Brewing, Hoonah
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZipRider Adventure with gondola | From $199 on Holland America (2026) | Sold through cruise lines and Icy Strait Point; no cheaper independent version | None; book early as it sells out |
| Hoonah town visit | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Walk free, or the town shuttle for a small fee | Most of a guided town tour's price |
| Cannery museum and beach | Not needed | Free | Free |
Almost everything here worth paying for is run by or through Icy Strait Point itself, and prices are often the same whether you book on the ship or with the port. Book the ZipRider and whale-watching trips before you sail, because they sell out. The Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise (2.5 hours) is the strongest buy: humpbacks gather off Point Adolphus. Bear searches never guarantee a sighting. Skip any paid tour for the cannery and Hoonah: both are easy and free on foot.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Hoonah
Waiting until you are ashore to book the ZipRider.
Instead: Book through your cruise line before sailing; it regularly sells out.
Assuming there will be a taxi back from Hoonah.
Instead: There are no taxis or rideshare. Use the shuttle or walk, and leave Hoonah 90 minutes before all-aboard.
Forgetting the gondola transfer when the ship is at Wilderness Landing.
Instead: Allow 11 minutes on the gondola or 15 minutes on foot between the cannery and the pier, plus any queue.
Dressing for summer.
Instead: Bring a waterproof and layers. Rain is common and can cancel outdoor activities.
Hiking alone on the trails.
Instead: This is brown bear country. Stay on marked trails, keep in a group and make noise.
Safety: is Hoonah safe for cruise passengers?
Crime is not a concern for visitors here. The real risks are wildlife and weather. Chichagof Island has a very high density of brown bears, so stay on marked trails, walk in groups, make noise and never approach wildlife. The ZipRider has weight, height and health limits; read them before booking. The road to Hoonah carries light traffic; use the sidewalk path. Weather changes quickly, so carry a waterproof layer even on a dry morning.
Emergency number: 911
Practical information
Crowds
Icy Strait Point can host two ships at once, one at each pier. On two-ship days restaurants such as Duck Point Smokehouse have long waits, so eat early or late. Excursions leave from the Adventure Center in the morning, which is a good time to see the cannery and beach before groups return. Hoonah itself is quieter than the port all day.
Accessibility
Icy Strait Point's boardwalks and paths are designed for accessibility, and staff have compact vehicles to help guests between areas. The transporter gondola between Wilderness Landing and the cannery is wheelchair and scooter accessible. Some tours are listed as ADA accessible, including the Mountain Top Forest Excursion; the ZipRider is not wheelchair accessible, and the Wilderness Hike does not allow mobility devices. The walk to Hoonah is flat with a sidewalk.
If it rains
Spend more time in the cannery: the free museum, a dozen shops and The Cookhouse are all under cover. Boat trips usually still run in light rain, but heavy weather can cancel outdoor activities, and cloud can hide the view from the gondola. A cultural show at the Heritage Center in Hoonah is an indoor option. Pack a waterproof jacket regardless.
Money, language, time
Currency: USD · Language: English · Time zone: AKST (UTC−9), AKDT (UTC−8) in summer
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Hoonah and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
Pro
€119.88/yr (≈€9.99/mo)
billed yearly · cancel anytime
- Full timed plan for every port, on every cruise you take
- Leave-by time on every stop and a running-late Plan B
- Cruise Radar: whole-cruise plans from your ship name
- AI day optimiser, audio briefings, PDF and offline access
Ultimate
Never miss the ship€203.88/yr (≈€16.99/mo)
billed yearly · cancel anytime
- Everything in Pro
- Crowd Clock: passengers ashore hour by hour, and your calmest 90 minutes in every port
- Port Day Live: a leave-by countdown from where you are, with alerts at 30, 15 and 0 minutes
- Schedule Watch: an email the moment your ship's times or port days change
- Return-now mode, all-ports cruise hub, savings tracker, calendar export
30-day full refund, no questions asked · Secure checkout via Stripe
Other ports on cruises that call at Hoonah
Juneau cruise port guide
Walk or short rideJuneau is a docking port: ships tie up along the downtown waterfront, and most berths are a short walk from South Franklin Street; the AJ Dock is a…
Read the Juneau guide
Sitka cruise port guide
Walk or short rideMost large ships dock at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal on Halibut Point Road, 5–6 miles north of downtown; a free shuttle runs every 10–15 minute…
Read the Sitka guide
Ketchikan cruise port guide
Walk or short rideKetchikan is a docking port with two areas.
Read the Ketchikan guide
Victoria cruise port guide
Walk to townShips dock at Ogden Point in the Breakwater District, so there is no tender.
Read the Victoria guide
Hoonah Cruise Port — Common Questions
Was this accurate?
Your answer helps the next cruiser — it takes one tap.
Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- Icy Strait Point – Official site and excursions
- Icy Strait Point – FAQs
- Icy Strait Point – Dine and shop
- Travel Alaska (state tourism) – Hoonah and Icy Strait Point
- Holland America – The ZipRider Adventure & Sky Peak Gondola
- ZipRider – Icy Strait Point ride
- Cruise Industry News – Disney signs 15-year agreement at Icy Strait Point (July 2026)
- Seatrade Cruise News – Norwegian Encore first ship at Wilderness Landing (2021)
- Seatrade Cruise News – Norwegian reveals Icy Strait gondolas (2019)
- Cruise Hive – Icy Strait Point cruise port guide
- Huna Totem – Icy Strait Point cruise port
- Life Well Cruised – Things to do at Icy Strait Point
- Cruzely – Tips for Icy Strait Point
- Flashpacking America – Icy Strait Point to Hoonah shuttle
- What's In Port – Icy Strait Point
Independently researched
None confidenceRelated Cruise Planning Guides
Authority Guide
The Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise Port Planning Guide
We use cookies
Essential cookies are always on. We only enable analytics, marketing, personalisation, and session replay if you allow them. You can change this any time. Policy version 1.0.0. Privacy policy