About the Port
Hoonah sits on Chichagof Island in the Tongass National Forest, overlooking Icy Strait in Alaska's Inside Passage. Home to one of the largest Tlingit communities in the region, the town traces its roots to a clan migration story tied to nearby Glacier Bay and remains a center of Tlingit art, carving, and tradition. A former salmon cannery on the waterfront has been repurposed into a visitor hub, anchoring the shoreline with weathered timber buildings that recall the town's fishing-industry past.
Beyond the docks, dense spruce and hemlock forest rises quickly toward mountain slopes, and the surrounding waters of Icy Strait are known for humpback whale activity and sea otters. Small-scale streets make the town center easy to explore on foot, while excursions into the forest or out onto the strait reveal the wilder character of the island. The setting offers a quieter counterpoint to Alaska's larger ports, rooted in Indigenous heritage and coastal forest scenery.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Hoonah.
Ride the Icy Strait Point Zipline
One of the world's longest ziplines drops from a mountainside perch above the old cannery down to the shore in a matter of minutes. Book ahead, as spots fill quickly and a tram ride up is included.
Go Whale Watching in Icy Strait
The nutrient-rich waters just offshore are a reliable feeding ground for humpback whales, with sightings common on short boat trips lasting a couple of hours. Sea otters and eagles often round out the outing.
Watch Tlingit Dance and Carving
Local performers and carvers demonstrate traditional Tlingit song, dance, and woodwork near the waterfront hub, offering a direct link to the clan history behind Hoonah's founding. A firsthand way to understand the culture beyond museum panels.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Hoonah
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 11 | $7,760 | |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 12 | $8,550 | |
| Jun 22, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 10 | $7,500 | |
| Jul 2, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $11,480 | |
| Jul 2, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $6,485 | |
| Jul 16, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $10,850 | |
| Jul 23, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $4,690 | |
| Jul 30, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $10,360 | |
| Aug 6, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $5,460 | |
| Aug 24, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 9 | $6,300 | |
| Sep 2, 2027 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 9 | $5,355 | |
| Jun 8, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 12 | $8,805 | |
| Jun 20, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 10 | $7,115 | |
| Jun 30, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $5,850 | |
| Jun 30, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $11,060 | |
| Jul 14, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $11,060 | |
| Jul 21, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $5,850 | |
| Jul 28, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 14 | $10,815 | |
| Aug 4, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 7 | $5,585 | |
| Aug 22, 2028 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 9 | $5,915 |
Showing the next 20 of 22 upcoming departures. Browse them all in cruise search → or call 800-528-9300 for today's best pricing.