What to Do at Icy Strait Point: Ocean Raft and ZipRider Review
- Victoria Ogier
- Aug 13
- 9 min read
Our day at Icy Strait Point was beautiful, adventurous and—at least at first—a little confusing.
After some back-and-forth and a few rounds of “Wait, which gondola are we supposed to take?” we finally got our bearings. Once we understood the layout, we realized Icy Strait Point is actually very easy to explore.
Our family packed two very different experiences into the day: an early-morning Ocean Raft Adventure booked through Disney Cruise Line and an afternoon ride on the World’s Largest ZipRider.
We saw humpback whales from a small open-air boat, rode a gondola up the mountain and flew more than a mile back down on a zipline.
It was a very full Alaska port day—and we learned quite a few things that will help future travelers make the most of it.
Icy Strait Point Is Different From Other Alaska Cruise Ports
Icy Strait Point doesn’t feel like a traditional Alaska town where a cruise ship happens to dock. That’s because it was intentionally developed as a cruise destination.
It sits near the Alaska Native Tlingit community of Hoonah on Chichagof Island and is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation. The destination was developed on the site of a historic salmon cannery to create jobs and economic opportunities for the local community while sharing the area’s culture, history and natural beauty with visitors.
Today, Icy Strait Point includes two cruise docks, gondolas, restaurants, shops, cultural experiences and dozens of excursions. It was built with cruise passengers in mind and is open when ships are in port. The money spent on tours, food and shopping supports Huna Totem shareholders and the surrounding community.
That background gave me a much greater appreciation for the destination. It may feel purpose-built for cruise visitors, but it’s also a meaningful example of Native-owned tourism directly supporting the people who call this area home.
A Very Busy Day at Icy Strait Point
During our visit, two cruise ships were docked and another ship was tendering passengers ashore, so Icy Strait Point was busy.
That context matters because the crowded restaurants, limited excursion availability and delays we experienced may look completely different on a quieter port day.
It also explains why I recommend booking your must-do experiences early and leaving more time than you think you’ll need. With three ships bringing guests into the destination, popular activities filled up, food service became backed up and delays accumulated as the day continued.
Book an Early Excursion
Our first experience was the Ocean Raft Adventure, which we booked through Disney Cruise Line.
We were on the first departure at 7:30 a.m., and I highly recommend choosing an early excursion when possible.
We weren’t waiting for another tour group to return, and there hadn’t been time for delays to build throughout the day. Our excursion started on schedule, and we still had plenty of time afterward to explore the port and add another activity.
The first excursion of the morning has far fewer opportunities to inherit everyone else’s chaos.
What Is the Ocean Raft Adventure?
The Ocean Raft Adventure is essentially a small-group wildlife and whale-watching tour—but on a much smaller, faster and more open vessel than a traditional whale-watching boat.
The rigid-hull inflatable boat carries a small group, which was a major reason we enjoyed it.
I don’t love being packed onto large group excursions. With fewer passengers, the experience felt much more personal. We had plenty of opportunities to talk with our guides, ask questions and hear directly from the captain.
The route changes based on the day’s weather, water conditions and wildlife activity while exploring Port Frederick and Icy Strait.
The excursion is listed as approximately two hours. We spent around an hour and a half on the water, with the entire experience—including the safety briefing, getting dressed and removing our gear afterward—taking just over two hours.
Yes, You Get to Wear the Giant Adventure Suit
Before getting onto the raft, everyone receives a giant full-body protective suit.
And honestly? I thought it was very cool.
The suits made us feel like we were about to embark on an extremely dangerous expedition into the Alaska wilderness. Based on our outfits, you might have assumed we were preparing to battle 20-foot waves, freezing spray and whatever else the ocean decided to throw at us.
We barely got a drop of water on us.
But we looked adventurous—and, more importantly, the suits kept us warm.
Even with beautiful weather, the open air and wind made it chilly once the boat picked up speed. I was very grateful for the extra protection, even if our intense survival gear turned out to be slightly more dramatic than the actual conditions.
There are lockers near the check-in area where you can leave anything you don’t need on the boat.
Bring sunglasses, too. Between the brightness reflecting off the water and the wind hitting your face, they make it much easier to watch for wildlife.
Did We See Whales?
We spotted several humpback whales during our tour.
They weren’t nearly as close as whales I’ve seen while whale watching in Hawaii or Puerto Vallarta, but we saw them—and that was exciting!
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The whales decide where they’ll be and how close they feel like getting.
This isn’t SeaWorld. The whales did not receive our itinerary.
Humpbacks feed in the nutrient-rich waters around Icy Strait Point, making this a well-known whale-watching area. Orcas also pass through, but they’re much less predictable. Our guide told us the crew generally spots them about once every couple of weeks.
That was based on their experience—not a promise that every other Tuesday at 10:15 a.m., an orca will arrive for its scheduled performance.
Go into the Ocean Raft Adventure excited about the fast boat, incredible scenery, small group and possibility of seeing wildlife. If the whales decide to appear, even from farther away, consider it a very good Alaska day.
Should You Book Icy Strait Point Excursions Through the Cruise Line?
Icy Strait Point doesn’t currently accept advance excursion bookings directly from travelers. Tours can be purchased after arriving, but availability isn’t guaranteed.
The destination also states that onsite excursion pricing remains consistent with cruise-line pricing. Because of that, I recommend booking through your cruise line before sailing when you know what you want to do.
I don’t always recommend booking every excursion through the cruise line—so take that advice to heart.
Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred time and avoids spending your port day watching the last few available spaces disappear.
We booked our Ocean Raft Adventure through Disney Cruise Line but waited until we arrived to purchase ZipRider tickets. In hindsight, I wish we had reserved the ZipRider in advance. Only a few spaces remained for the entire day.
Understanding the Gondolas at Icy Strait Point
The gondola system was the part that took us a little while to understand.
There are different gondolas serving different areas and purposes throughout the destination. Once we studied the port map and figured out how everything connected, getting around was actually very easy.
The Mountain Top Gondola takes passengers up toward the ZipRider and other mountaintop experiences. The main excursion desk and Departure Den are located near the gondola area, where you can check in, purchase available tickets and ask which route you need.
Our Disney-purchased Ocean Raft Adventure included access to the Mountain Top Gondola during our visit. That represented a $55-per-person value, and when we purchased our ZipRider tickets onsite, that amount was deducted from the combination we needed.
Inclusions and pricing can vary by cruise line, excursion and sailing, so check the exact description attached to your reservation.
Riding the World’s Largest ZipRider
The ZipRider is the experience most people immediately recognize at Icy Strait Point.
It begins 1,330 feet above sea level and sends riders 5,495 feet down the mountain at speeds that can reach approximately 60 miles per hour.
The actual ride lasts about 90 seconds.
The entire experience takes around an hour and a half.
That difference is important.
You first check in at the Departure Den, where everyone is weighed to confirm they meet the safety requirements. You then ride the Mountain Top Gondola, transfer toward the launch area, walk to the platform, wait in several queues and receive safety instructions before finally taking off.
This isn’t an experience you should try to squeeze into the final 30 minutes of your port day.
The ZipRider Is Short—but Incredible
After all the checking in, gondola riding, walking and waiting, the ZipRider itself goes by very quickly.
But the view is beautiful.
Six riders can launch side by side, flying over the forest with views of Icy Strait, the cruise ships and the surrounding mountains.
It’s fast enough to be exciting without feeling like a traditional amusement-park zipline where you’re hanging from a small harness and steering yourself between platforms. You’re seated in a chair-style harness, and the braking system slows you automatically at the bottom.
It was a fun way to finish our day—and another one of those Alaska experiences where the landscape is a huge part of the thrill.
Check the ZipRider Weight and Mobility Requirements
ZipRider participants must currently weigh between 75 and 275 pounds.
They’ll weigh every rider at check-in, fully dressed. My husband, Bill, weighs more than 275 pounds with his clothes and shoes, so he wasn’t able to participate.
These aren’t rules the staff can bend because someone is only slightly over or under the limit. They’re safety requirements.
The experience also requires more walking than some travelers may expect.
After reaching the top, there’s a fairly steep downhill walk to the launch point. I saw a few people struggling with it, so travelers with limited mobility, balance concerns or difficulty managing inclines should carefully consider whether it’s the right fit.
Guests should also wear closed-toe shoes, dress in warm layers and be comfortable with heights.
Leave Extra Time for the ZipRider
Our ZipRider was running about 35 minutes behind. The delay itself didn’t ruin our experience. We went with the flow, enjoyed the scenery and knew we still had time before the ship departed.
But some passengers around us were becoming understandably anxious. They had other excursions scheduled or were worried about getting back to their ships.
The team working that day appeared to include many younger seasonal employees. They were trying, but they weren’t always prepared to manage the frustration of anxious cruise passengers whose schedules were unraveling.
That’s why I recommend leaving more space than you think you need.
Don’t schedule the ZipRider immediately before another excursion. Don’t count backward from all-aboard time using only the advertised 90-second ride. And don’t assume every part of the process will run precisely on schedule.
The ride may last 90 seconds. The experience requires substantially more time.
Explore—and Eat—Earlier in the Day
If you want to shop, explore the cannery or eat at Icy Strait Point, do it earlier rather than later.
During our visit, some food stands ran out of items or stopped serving certain dishes because they were backed up. We grabbed tacos while waiting and later tried a kabob near the mountaintop experience. Neither was especially memorable.
If I visited again, I’d either eat on the ship or plan a proper meal at one of Icy Strait Point’s established restaurants. The Crab House is an option for fresh Alaska crab, while the Cookhouse Restaurant and Duck Point Smokehouse offer more complete meals.
Another option is to travel into the town of Hoonah for a more local experience.
The food huts and quick-service stands may be convenient when everything is operating smoothly, but I wouldn’t make them the centerpiece of your port-day dining plan.
Our Best Tips for Visiting Icy Strait Point
Here’s what I’d recommend after experiencing the port ourselves:
Book your must-do excursions through the cruise line before sailing. I don’t always recommend this—so take this to heart.
Choose an early-morning excursion when possible.
Don’t wait until late afternoon to explore or eat.
Leave generous time between activities.
Review the requirements for each specific activity before purchasing—especially the ZipRider’s weight and mobility restrictions.
Bring sunglasses for water-based excursions.
Wear layers, even when the weather looks beautiful.
Don’t assume a 90-second ZipRider means a quick activity.
Study the port map and ask which gondola you need before getting in line.
Consider eating at one of the established restaurants or back on the ship.
Expect wildlife to behave like wildlife—not hired entertainment.
Give seasonal staff a little grace when the day becomes busy.
The Hidden Lake at the top of Icy Strait Point- located on the trail.
Was Icy Strait Point Worth Visiting?
Yes.
It took us a little while to understand the layout, and not every part of the day ran exactly on schedule. But Icy Strait Point is beautiful, the scenery is incredible and both of our excursions gave us a completely different way to experience Alaska.
The Ocean Raft Adventure was intimate, personal and a great fit for our family’s preference for smaller-group excursions.
The ZipRider was short, thrilling and surrounded by some of the best views of our trip.
I also appreciated learning more about the Native-owned tourism model behind Icy Strait Point and how the destination supports the nearby community of Hoonah.
Go in with a plan, book your priorities early and leave some flexibility in your schedule.
Once you get your bearings, it’s a really fun port to explore.
Planning an Alaska Cruise?
Your Alaska cruise isn’t only about choosing a ship. The itinerary, ports, excursion availability and physical requirements can completely change the experience.
If you’re already working with a Good Trip advisor, ask us to help you compare your excursion options before they sell out.
If you’re ready to begin planning, submit a Good Trip inquiry at http://goodtrip.biz/inquiry. Our team can help you choose the right cruise, understand the ports and build an Alaska experience that fits your family.
A Note About This Review: We paid in full for the travel experiences and services shared in this post. No discounts, complimentary services or other compensation were provided in exchange for this review. These are our honest opinions based on our personal experience.
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