Ear Mountain Charters tours: whale watching or fishing

The best part of this excursion is its small six-person boat, which gives you a far more personal outing than a large harbor cruise. From Hoonah, Ear Mountain Charters takes you into the waters around Icy Strait, where whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and other wildlife may appear. You can also choose an Alaska fishing trip instead, with the boat and fishing gear supplied.

I like the heated cabin and onboard bathroom, useful comforts in a place known for cool, wet weather. I also like the easy pairing of Icy Strait Point with Hoonah: the van transfer takes only about a mile, and you can return to the port or stay in town and catch a shuttle later. The main drawback is that rain gear, food, and drinks are not provided, so you need to prepare carefully.

Key points at a glance

• Whales, orcas, otters, and sea lions: A verified August outing recorded all four, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• A 32-foot North River boat: Twin 250-horsepower motors, a 25-horsepower kicker motor, heated cabin, bathroom, and seating for six.
• Two very different tour choices: Pick wildlife viewing and whale watching, or try fishing in Alaska with the needed gear supplied.
• Simple port connection: Meet at the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub, ride to Hoonah, and board there.
• Flexible finish: Return to Icy Strait Point, or remain in Hoonah to explore and use a shuttle back.
• Bring serious wet-weather clothing: Rain gear is not supplied, and closed-toe shoes and quick-dry clothing are required.

Choosing between whales and Alaska fishing

Ear Mountain Charters gives you two ways to spend your time on the water. The whale watching option is the better match if your main goal is wildlife and scenery. It includes a boat cruise, sightseeing, marine life viewing, whale watching, and general wildlife viewing over about three and a half hours.

The fishing option is more hands-on. You’ll get a practical taste of what Alaska fishing can be like, and fishing gear is provided. You must purchase a $15 day license, so add that to the advertised $284 price per person. The information supplied does not specify the target species, fishing method, or how much catch you can expect, so ask for those details before booking if fishing is the main reason for your visit.

At $284 per person, this is not a bargain harbor ride. The price makes more sense for someone who values a small group, a dedicated powerboat, and several hours on the water. With room for only six people, you are not paying for a large crowd and a distant view. Still, the value depends on your priorities. If you simply want a short look at the coast, this may feel expensive. If you want either a serious wildlife outing or a proper fishing session during a port day, the cost is easier to justify.

From Icy Strait Point to Hoonah

Your day begins at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point, not directly at the boat. If your ship arrives at the Wilderness Dock, take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area. Once you get off, turn left and follow the signs to the Excursion Hub pickup area.

If your ship docks at the Adventure Dock, walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center. Exit through door number 2 at the end of the building, then follow the Excursion Hub signs outside. These directions are worth saving on your phone because port areas can feel confusing when several groups are gathering at once.

Pickup is scheduled for 30 minutes after the ship arrives in port. From there, you load into a van for the short drive to Hoonah, about one mile away. The transfer is not a long scenic journey, but it serves an important purpose: Hoonah is where you board the boat.

Plan to be ready early. You need time to leave the ship, find the pickup point, and sort your clothing before the van departs. Bring your ID or passport and a credit card. The operator also asks you to carry personal medication and wear closed-toe shoes.

Boarding the 32-foot North River boat

The boat is a 32-foot North River offshore power boat with twin 250-horsepower motors and a 25-horsepower kicker motor. That equipment gives the captain the power and flexibility needed for a coastal outing, though the actual route and conditions will depend on the day.

There is seating for six people, along with a heated cabin and bathroom. Those features matter more than they might at first seem. Alaska weather can turn damp and chilly, and a warm cabin gives you a place to get comfortable between sightings or during a move to another area. The bathroom also saves you from having to cut the trip short for a shore break.

The small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. You will have more room than on a large sightseeing boat, and wildlife viewing should feel less like a crowd event. The tradeoff is that a small boat can offer less space to spread out, so pack only what you need and keep loose items secure.

The boat is not supplied with rain gear. Bring waterproof outer layers, quick-dry clothing, and shoes with good coverage. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and bare feet are not allowed. Clothes that can get dirty are especially sensible for fishing.

What the whale watching trip offers

The whale watching route is designed around the waters near Icy Strait and Hoonah. You’ll spend roughly three and a half hours on a guided boat cruise with time for sightseeing and marine life viewing. The appeal is not just one species. You could encounter a variety of sea and land mammals during the outing.

A strong wildlife day can include humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions. One August outing recorded whales, orcas, otters, and sea lions, which gives you a useful idea of the range of animals possible on this trip. That is an especially good combination for anyone who wants more than a single-species whale trip.

Of course, no responsible operator can promise sightings. Wildlife moves, weather changes, and the captain must work within safe conditions. I would book this with the right mindset: you are paying for time in a productive marine area with a capable boat, not a guaranteed wildlife checklist.

The scenery is part of the reward even when the animals stay out of view. You’ll see Alaska from the water rather than from a road or port walkway, and the trip gives you a stronger sense of the scale of the coast. Keep your eyes moving, but also allow yourself a few quiet minutes to watch the water and shoreline.

What fishing adds to the day

The fishing option changes the pace. Instead of waiting for animals to surface, you take part in the activity and get a clearer sense of Alaska as a working coastal place. All required fishing gear is provided, which is convenient for cruise ship passengers who cannot bring bulky equipment.

You still need to buy a $15 day license. Bring a credit card for that purchase and confirm the current process before departure. The supplied details do not state the fish species, seasonal limits, bait, or whether cleaning and packing are included, so ask the operator those questions if they matter to you.

Wear clothing that can get dirty and choose quick-dry layers. Fishing can be messy, and the boat is a practical working space rather than a polished luxury vessel. The heated cabin and bathroom remain useful, especially on a longer six-hour option, but you should still expect time outside and exposure to wind and spray.

This choice suits someone who wants an activity rather than only sightseeing. It is also a good fit for mixed interests if everyone in your small party agrees on fishing. If some people want whales and others want to fish, clarify the booking arrangement before paying. The available information presents them as separate tour choices, not as a combined outing.

How the timing works on a cruise day

The advertised duration ranges from three to six hours, while the whale watching schedule is listed at about three and a half hours. Start times vary, so check availability for your sailing date. Pickup takes place 30 minutes after the ship arrives in port, which means you should allow enough time to get off the ship and reach the Excursion Hub.

The full outing includes more than time on the boat. You’ll travel from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah, board there, complete the water portion, return to the harbor, and ride back to the port area. That makes the overall timing important if your ship has a firm departure schedule.

At the end, you can return to Icy Strait Point with the group. You may also stay in Hoonah to explore, then use local shuttles to get back to Icy Strait Point. That option gives you flexibility, but only use it if you have a clear plan and enough time before all-aboard.

Packing for wet Alaska weather

The operator’s packing list is practical. Bring:

• Rain gear
• Quick-dry clothing
• Closed-toe shoes
• Clothes that can get dirty, especially for fishing
• Passport or ID card
• Credit card
• Personal medication
• Fishing license, if already required for your arrangements

Do not rely on the boat to supply a meal. Food and beverages other than water are not included. Bring water and arrange any other suitable food before departure, while following the restrictions for the vehicle and boat.

High heels, sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and bare feet are prohibited. Smoking, vaping, alcohol, drugs, glass objects, weapons, sharp objects, and smoking in the vehicle or indoors are also not allowed. Drinks and alcoholic beverages cannot be taken in the vehicle, and red wine is specifically prohibited.

The rules may sound strict, but most are easy to handle. Wear sensible shoes, leave alcohol behind, and pack a waterproof layer. The operator also does not allow unaccompanied minors, and the age information lists babies and children under four as unsuitable. Because the supplied age notes repeat several different minimum ages, confirm the current child policy before booking for a young child.

Comfort, access, and group size

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain the exact transfer process from the Excursion Hub into the van or onto the boat. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, contact Ear Mountain Charters before booking and ask about each step.

The English-language tour is limited to six participants. That is a major advantage for people who prefer direct contact with the captain and a quieter setting. It is also a reason to book early if your port date is fixed.

The cabin, bathroom, and seating are useful comforts, but this remains a small offshore boat trip. I would not choose it for anyone who dislikes boat travel, wet weather, or outdoor conditions. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for very young children.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend the whale watching choice to wildlife fans, photographers, couples, and small families with older children who can manage a few hours on a boat. It gives you a chance to see several kinds of marine life, not only whales, and the small group keeps the experience personal.

The fishing option is best for people who want to participate rather than simply watch. It is also a good pick for anyone who has always wanted to try Alaska fishing but does not want to organize a full private expedition.

I would think twice if your ship’s port stop is very short, if you dislike uncertain wildlife sightings, or if you expect meals and rain clothing to be included. The tour asks you to arrive prepared, and the price is high enough that the choice should match your main interest.

Should you book Ear Mountain Charters?

Book it if you want several hours on Alaska’s water in a small group, and you are willing to prepare for rain and an unpredictable wildlife day. The strongest reasons are the six-person limit, the heated cabin and bathroom, the capable North River boat, and the chance to see whales alongside orcas, otters, and sea lions.

Choose fishing if the activity itself matters more than a wildlife checklist, and remember to add the $15 license. Choose whale watching if scenery and animals are your priority. With free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, you have some useful booking flexibility.

At $284 per person, this is a premium port excursion. For the right person, the small boat and broad wildlife possibilities make it worthwhile. For a casual look at the coast, it may be more than you need.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup begins at the Excursion Hub at Icy Strait Point. The exact walking route depends on whether your ship docks at the Wilderness Dock or Adventure Dock.

How do I reach the Excursion Hub from the Wilderness Dock?

Take the green gondola to the Adventure Center area. After getting off, turn left and follow the Excursion Hub signs to the pickup area.

How do I reach the Excursion Hub from the Adventure Dock?

Walk up the ramp into the Adventure Center and exit through door number 2 at the end of the building. Follow the Excursion Hub signs outside.

Where do I board the boat?

You’ll ride in a van from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah, about one mile away. The boat boards in Hoonah.

What animals might I see on the whale watching trip?

Possible wildlife includes whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and other sea and land mammals. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is fishing gear included?

Yes. Fishing tours provide the required gear. You must purchase a $15 day license.

Is food included?

No. Food and beverages other than water are not included. Rain gear is also not provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.