Cruise into waters teeming with humpback whales and other marine life, and then dine on traditional Alaskan dishes at a seafood feast. Point Adolphus has the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. They will be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, curious Harbor Seals and Orca whales, which sometimes feed on infirm or wounded humpbacks. Be sure to look skyward for majestic bald eagles, too. Following the whale-watching adventure, you too will have the opportunity to feast. A sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes awaits you back in Hoonah. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can roast marshmallows around the campfire.

Venture into the pristine wilds to look for iconic Alaskan animals such as humpback whales and grizzly bears in their natural habitats. Your adventure will begin aboard a whale-watching boat accompanied by a naturalist that will describe the creatures that you may soon observe. The nutrient-rich waters here are teeming with humpback whales that come to feed each summer before heading south to their breeding grounds. What a sight to watch these behemoths, which grow to about 50 feet long, as they breach the water’s surface and then dive down to feed again. Chances are, you will also catch sight of porpoises, sea lions and seals. After disembarking, you will drive deep into the remote Spasski River Valley to a raised observation platform to look for grizzly bears. They take their name from the gray, grizzled tips of their fur. Bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer are also commonly spotted here.

Watch humpback whales and other marine creatures cavorting in the nutrient-rich waters at Point Adolphus, one of Alaska’s premier observation points. During the cruise, a naturalist will describe the diversity of animals that converge here each summer. They come primarily to feed in the waters that are extraordinarily rich in halibut, salmon and plankton. Point Adolphus is noted for having the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. You can expect them to be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar sea lions, curious harbor seals and Orca whales. You may also see graceful bald eagles swooping down to grab fish in their talons, and perhaps even bears and deer in the surrounding wooded landscape.

Ride the world’s largest and longest zip-line high above the treetops and down a mountain at hair-raising speeds. This exhilarating adventure on the ZipRider is for the thrill-seeker, not the faint-hearted. Available to virtually everyone, your fun starts with a mesmerizing ascent on the Mountain Top Gondola. You will find the views of Icy Strait, your ship, and maybe even a glimpse of the Glacier Bay National Park breathtaking. Upon reaching the staging area at 1,300 feet above sea level, the real thrill begins as you are strapped into the harness seat and step off the zip-line platform into thin air. Traveling at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, you will zoom along over the dense forest. As you look down, the scenery will zip by. The ride is more than a mile long with a plummeting vertical drop. It is just like flying but without the airplane. As you approach the landing zone on the beach, the ZipRider will automatically brake, easing you onto the soft sand. Incudes unlimited Gondola rides!

Look for bears, deer and bald eagles in their natural habitats from an elevated observation area in the remote Spasski River Valley. As you leave Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Tlingit Indigenous settlement, the guide will enlighten you with stories about the Tlingits and their fascinating history. Upon reaching the valley, you will walk along a gravel path and boardwalk to the elevated viewing platform. Be on the lookout for the diverse wildlife that makes its home here, including grizzly bears, which are highly intelligent omnivores that primarily eat vegetation. While this is an excellent area to observe animals, they roam freely, so there are no guarantees that you will see them. The Sitka black-tail deer is another native that may be spotted from the observation area, as well as land otters, mink and marten. And don’t forget to look skyward for bald eagles, a highly efficient bird of prey that frequents the valley.

Your guide will meet you at the Kayak Center to escort you to the staging area for an orientation and safety instruction. The protected waters of Port Frederick are yours to explore as you set off from the beach at Icy Strait Point in your two person wilderness sea kayak. Led by your safety certified, local guide, you'll paddle along the Hoonah waterfront enroute to quieter waters where bald eagles are often seen. Keep your eyes open and your spirit of adventure high throughout this 2 1/2 hour tour as humpback whales have been known to feed along the very same route you'll be paddling.

Learn hands-on how to prepare and grill locally caught seafood and then savor the feast that you have masterfully created. This one-of-a-kind culinary class isn’t just educational and entertaining; it’s immensely satisfying to the palate, as you will dine on the specialties that you have grilled. First, you will learn how to prepare the dishes, using the preferred methods of filleting fish and adding seasonings that bring out the full flavors. Depending on the recipe, you may use freshly picked herbs or traditional sauces concocted from local ingredients. After the dishes are prepared, they will be grilled over alder wood, which imparts a unique smoked flavoring because of the natural sugars stored in the wood. Your mouth will surely be watering as the seafood is expertly grilled. Then comes the moment you have been waiting for: feasting on the grilled bounty of the sea; a delicious meal you now know how to recreate at home.

Look for wildlife while zipping along the rugged coastline in an open-air, high-speed boat. You will ride in a Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel that is 27 feet long and designed to race through the sea with maximum maneuverability. The exact route will depend on the weather conditions, but you can expect to enjoy close-up views of tidal flats and land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer. The seas here are also teeming with iconic Alaskan animals. You may spot humpback whales breaching the water’s surface, pods of orcas, frolicking sea otters and sleek seals. Be sure to look up, as bald eagles and puffins also make their homes in the area. Along the way, the captain will throttle back and elaborate on the importance of the waterways to the native Tlingit, many of whom still follow a traditional lifestyle around Icy Strait Point.

Hike through the Alaskan wilderness and along the hillsides of Chichagof Island. Drive through the village of Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in the world, on your way out to the Spasski River Valley. Continue through the Tongass National Forest up one of the old logging roads to the trail head. Once there, you will hike approximately two miles through private Native-owned lands, up an abandoned logging trail, to the secluded locally known viewing area. As you come to the top of the mountain, feel the serenity and see the breathtaking 360 degree views of Chichagof Island and its surrounding waterways and islands with nothing but nature all around you. Your local guide will share knowledge of the flora and fauna that inhabit the area, along with history of the land and its rich diverse culture. The opportunity to see brown bears, Sitka black tailed deer, eagles, and even humpback whales abound. With very little time spent in the forest area, this our provides spectacular views of the area with ample opportunities for photography.

Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

There is no better way to experience Alaska’s rugged terrain than by driving an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) through the forests and mountains on Chichagof Island. Following a short orientation on how best to operate an ATV in the Alaskan wilderness, you will set off on your outdoor adventure. The entire island (America’s fifth largest) lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, which has the distinction of being America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska. In fact, the island has the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

Explore the avian diversity of Hoonah’s lush temperate rainforest and its surrounding tidal waters with a local expert. Your guide will show you the best places to look for birds such as ducks, gulls and bald eagles, starting with the Port Frederick area. Because the waters are nutrient-rich, seabirds flock here to feed. The nearby ferry terminal is a favorite place for pigeon guillemots, one of the most common diving seabirds in southeast Alaska. A brief stop at an active bald eagle’s nest will reveal how this easy-to-recognize bird of prey lives. More excellent chances to spot birds, especially cormorants, await you along the Long Island causeway. Then, your guide will lead your small group down a forest trail and through grasslands to observe passerines, the huge order of songbirds that includes sparrows, warblers and flycatchers. The feisty rufous hummingbird is also found here, when not following the largest migration route of any American hummingbird.