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Icy Strait Wilderness Island Tour

4.9
94 reviews

Excursion Overview

Join the fun on a guided driving tour across the beautiful Chichagof Island

Chichagof Island, where Icy Strait is situated, is near the entrance of Port Frederick Bay. This body of water is known to the Indigenous Tlingit people as the Bay of Bears due to its abundance of salmon.

The Bay of Bears contains six major salmon streams. Once the yearly salmon spawn begins, the streams are teeming with wildlife looking for fish. You'll have a chance to see bears as they attempt to fatten up for the winter, and other wildlife like river otters, mink, bald eagles, and martens.

The tour begins from Icy Strait. You'll drive around the island in a passenger van, searching for bears, while your tour guide narrates the scenery around you. They'll talk about their lives in rural Alaska and their experiences with local wildlife. Imagine living in a town with more bears than people!

One of our guests' favorite things to do on tour is to pick their own berries and herbs. Your expert guide will describe the medicinal purposes of the local plant life, explaining the healing properties and nutritional benefits. Some of the wild berries growing here contain more nutrients than any cultivated berries per pound.

This tour is very special, providing an experience that you won't find anywhere else. You will not regret getting off the beaten path and joining this experience!

Depart from the Excursions Hub with your lifelong Hoonah residential guides

our guides are excited to share local history and stories from living in Hoonah and all that Chichagof Island has to offer. This tour is a three-hour driving tour with a few very short walks. Wildlife is not guaranteed but your guides will do their best to point out any sightings.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation from the Icy Strait Excursions Hub

Requirements:

  • Minimum age to participate is 5 years old

Duration: 3 hours (Roundtrip from the Excursions Hub.)

  • 3 hour narrated scenic drive around the island

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets at the Excursions Hub. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb into and out of the van. There is minimal storage for collapsible wheelchairs or walkers. Please leave a comment during checkout if accommodations for collapsible equipment will be required on tour.

Refund Policy:

  • You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
  • Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum age to participate is 5 years old.

Booster seats will be provided for anyone who is 5+.

Our success rate for seeing bears is very high, however, wildlife cannot be guaranteed. Our area has more bears per square mile than any other place in Alaska with 1.7 bears per square mile.

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Non-alcoholic beverages in closeable containers and snacks are allowed on tour.​

Food and drinks are not included.​

 

Guest Reviews

4.9

94 total

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Lindsey B

On Sep 2025

The couple giving the tour and the history of the island were nice, but we drove around for 2-3 hours and never saw any bears at any of the river stops. The 1 bear we did see right at dark came out for 10 seconds and ran.

Jaclyn H

On Sep 2025

John & Marilyn, our hosts, were amazingly nice, informative, and knowledgeable about the island and its inhabitants (both human & animal). We were lucky enough to be able to spot deer and a few bears. The highlight of our tour was watching a mom & her cub grab breakfast in a stream and then run up some trees. I would highly recommend this tour!

Hogan D

On Sep 2025

This was a great excursion with lots of bear sightings! I would highly recommend going with them as both the tour guides are natives of Hoonah and they were extremely knowledgeable on all the wildlife we got to see.

Linda B

On Aug 2025

Great to see this beautiful area away from the town. Only saw one bear but guides pointed out several other animals including bald eagles. Nice to learn about life in Hoona from an actual resident!

James C

On Aug 2025

Marilyn and John Hillman are wonderful. Their experience, knowledge and history provided us a fantastic time. We learned about the wildlife, vegetation and history with lessons about their people. You know you have had an exceptional experience when you are hugging your guides!! Highest recommendation.

$145.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$145.00

Duration: 3 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 3 hours



Adult (13+): $145.00

Child (5-12): $100.00

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