Icy Strait Whale-Watching Excursion with Live Drone Footage

Description

• Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your Icy Strait cruise pier area!
• English-speaking certified local whale-watching shore excursion guides!
• Exclusive small excursion group!
• Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy whale watching in a very unique way!
• Live drone footage of whales!
  

You will meet your shore excursion guide and transportation near your Icy Strait cruise pier and head to the small boat dock located near the native village of Hoonah, Alaska. Here, you will board your custom-built boat designed for seeing whales close up in their natural setting. This is a small group excursion, so there will be plenty of room for everyone to have a good view.

Once everyone is on board, your captain will head out towards the popular areas where there have been whale sightings for that particular day. Most frequently you will be able to see the majestic humpbacks who often visit the clear waters of Hoonah.

Upon arriving at the area where the humpbacks are playing, entertaining, and putting on a show for their visitors, be sure to have your camera ready as there will be plenty of opportunities to take amazing photos and videos of these incredible animals.

Although some humpbacks spend all year here, most migrate here in the summer months to the gorge of the endless supply of food, before migrating to Hawaii or Mexico where they mate or give birth.

Even though you will get plenty of viewing time from the boat, your captain will add to that viewing by putting the drone up, so you can see the whales from BOTH perspectives! You will be able to see some incredible footage, this approach creates an absolutely minimal impact on these animals. You will have incredible views of them in their most natural and undisturbed state.

Please note: that weather conditions will determine if the captain will be able to fly the drone.

You may witness whales' tail lobbing (slapping their tail or fin on the water's surface), bubble net feeding, where they surround their meal with a curtain of air bubbles and scoop it up at the surface, or the amazing power of a breach, where this massive mammal shoots out of the water as if it weighs nothing, corkscrews in the air like a ballerina, before canon-balling back into the water, creating a thundering sound as it hits the water. Scientists don't really know why they do most of these behaviors - whether it is an attempt to shed barnacles or parasites on their skin, showing off, and having fun; but no matter what, you will never forget seeing any of them.

If the captain receives information of other sightings of wildlife in the vicinity, such as Orcas, or more Humpbacks, he will also move on to those other spots, to provide as many chances as possible to see these beautiful creatures.

At the end of your incredible whale-watching shore excursion, your transportation will be waiting to take you back to your Icy Strait cruise ship pier.  

What is included?

• Round-trip transportation from your Icy Strait cruise ship terminal.
• English-speaking certified local whale-watching shore excursion guides.
• Exclusive small group (only 14 participants maximum).
• Unique Whale Watching with Drone Footage experience.
• Beverages and granola bars during the Icy Strait Whale Watching Excursion with Live Drone Footage (sodas included).
• Restroom on board.

Excursion Notes

• Excursion prices shown include all taxes and fees.
• Guests must be able to step on/off the whale-watching boat.
• We recommend wearing layers with the top layer being waterproof.
  
• Please wear sensible walking/hiking shoes that may get wet.
• USB drive with the captured footage during the excursion formatted to either PC or Mac available to purchase (Approximate cost is $25.00)
  
• We suggest you have cash on hand for excursion staff gratuities, and extra purchases such as the USB drive with the captured footage during the excursion.
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if requirements are not met.

Where we meet

For this Icy Strait Whale-Watching Excursion with Live Drone Footage, you will meet your local shore excursion guide just outside your Icy Strait cruise pier shoreside. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This Icy Strait Whale Watching Excursion with Live Drone Footage is not wheelchair accessible.
• Infants must sit on their parent's laps.
• This Icy Strait shore excursion will have a maximum of 14 travelers.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.