SHORE EXCURSIONS

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.

Watch a traditional tribal performance that reflects the long and fascinating history of the Tlingits as a prelude to a feast of fresh seafood and other classic Alaskan dishes. After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at the Native Heritage Center Theater to watch the local Tlingits perform an inspiring tribal interpretation. The Tlingits have lived in this part of southeastern Alaska for thousands of years and their traditions run deep. They express them beautifully through interpretive songs and storytelling. The performers will be dressed in full regalia, including masks and headdresses. The entertainers will share their history from the time when advancing glaciers forced them out of their original homeland in Glacier Bay. They called their new settlement Hoonah, a word that means “where the north wind doesn’t blow.” With their rich history of harvesting resources from the sea and land, the Tlingit have always had great respect for the environment. Many of their performances express the significance of indigenous animals such as the raven, seal and eagle. Others tell of the tribe’s struggles with the harsh environment and poignant social issues. Following the performance, you will dine on a sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can make s’mores around the campfire. This is a set menu and accommodations cannot be made for special diets.

Hoonah is a lively fishing community, an old logging town and the world’s largest Tlingit village. Your guide will describe how this coastal community came in existence when the rapid glacial advance of the Little Ice Age forced the clans from their ancestral home in Glacier Bay. You will learn the feats of local fisherman, what it’s like to drive on the Alaska Marine Highway, and how the people rebuilt when the village was destroyed by fire during WWII. Upon your return to Icy Strait Point you will gather at the Heritage Center Native Theater for the Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends performance where you will be thoroughly entertained and educated through song, dance, and storytelling. You will be invited to dance with our Tlingit family on stage and will also have an opportunity to have your photo taken with one of the performers.

Go fishing for halibut in Icy Strait, where these giant flatfish are voraciously feeding throughout the summer. Meeting at the dock, you will embark your comfortable cabin cruiser and receive a safety orientation before taking the 20–30-minute ride out to the premier fishing area in Icy Strait. These waters are teeming with halibut as they serve as the main migration corridor for halibut traveling from the Pacific to their summer feeding grounds and spawning streams in southeast Alaska. The largest Pacific flatfish, Alaskan halibut are renowned for their mammoth size. The former state record halibut-a 440-pound whopper-was landed near Hoonah, so catching a 100-pounder in Icy Strait isn't unusual. Imagine the thrill of hooking one of these monster fish and reeling it in from the depths. It's an amazing experience because halibut are longer than most flatfishes with a width one third of their length, so that husky girth produces a lot of resistance. You will spend approximately 2.5 hours on the water, fishing with bait that may include herring, salmon and octopus, which is one of the halibut's favorite meals. If you catch one, you'll notice that halibut has smooth scales, a light-colored bottom side and a darker top. The colors are a natural camouflage that mimics the hues of the ocean floor and water. Not only are these waters home to halibut, but they are also filled with whales, sea lion, and seals so come prepared with your camera and binoculars. At the conclusion of your fishing time, you will head back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Ride a state-of-the-art window-walled gondola to the top of Hoonah Mountain and then board an open-air tram for an inspiring ride through an old-growth forest. The views will be spectacular in every direction as you ascend the mountain, which rises more than a quarter mile above the sea. The wheeled tram will offer a closer look at the natural world as it winds through the woods for about six miles. The towering stands of Sitka spruce and western hemlock are a wonder to behold. The significance of the forest becomes even clearer as your guide describes the delicate balance of its biodiversity and fascinating geology. Wildlife is abundant and it’s not uncommon to spot Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles. You will also enjoy sweeping views of the Port Frederick Inlet, Spasski River Valley, glacially carved reflecting ponds and beautiful bogs known as muskegs.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the breathtaking views while riding an aerial gondola up Hoonah Mountain.
• Ride an open-air tram through a dense forest while the guide describes the flora and fauna.
• Look for wildlife such as Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Ride a window-walled gondola to the mountaintop that looms behind Icy Strait Point and spend the day enjoying the outdoors as you please. As you ascend over the forested slopes, the views will be spectacular in every direction, especially once you reach the summit, which is more than a quarter mile above sea level. Glacier Bay stretches out before you and Tongass National Forest goes on as far as the eye can see. If you wish to hike through the woodlands, feel free. Wherever you wander, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as bald eagles and deer are abundant. You won’t have to rush your time at the summit because your all-day gondola pass allows you to descend whenever you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the breathtaking views while riding a gondola up the mountain behind Icy Strait Point.
• Spend as much time as you wish at the summit and descend on the gondola when you’re ready.
• Look for wildlife such as Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles while hiking through the woods.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.