5.0 (516) · Alaska · By Alaska Whales & Drones Tours Free cancellation
Embark on an unforgettable whale watching adventure in the pristine waters of Icy Strait, a prime location for spotting Humpback whales, with sightings guaranteed on every tour!
Discover the abundant marine life, including playful otters and majestic Steller sea lions. Keep an eye out for Orcas, brown bears, and other fascinating wildlife that frequently grace these waters.
Led by Captain Josh or his experienced crew, you'll navigate the wilderness of Icy Strait. Their passion and innovative approach to wildlife viewing ensure a truly special and appreciative experience.
Our custom-designed 14 and 18-passenger vessels offer a safe and stable platform for optimal whale watching. This is the world's only drone-integrated whale watching tour, providing unique aerial perspectives and videos you can take home.
✓ Bottled water✓ USB drive with Drone Shots of Whales! (one per group)✓ SnacksActivity Itinerary
3 h
Journey into Icy Strait aboard our comfortable 14-18 passenger boats, guided by skilled captains in search of Humpback Whales, Orcas, Coastal Brown Bears, sea lions, seals, and more. We boast a 100% success rate for Humpback Whale sightings!
Our specially designed boats feature excellent indoor and outdoor viewing areas. During the 3-hour tour, while you observe marine life from the water, we'll enhance your experience by deploying a professional drone to capture aerial footage of the wildlife.
Witness a mother whale and her calf from the boat, and on your return, view their activities from above. This unique drone perspective complements your on-water experience, offering a deeper appreciation of the animals in their natural habitat.
Experience the full majesty of whales swimming in their environment, observe calves playing with their mothers, or pods of orcas moving together. The drone's viewpoint adds an extraordinary dimension to this incredible encounter.
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking
The pickup location is the Excursions Hub at Icy Strait Point. If you wish to meet in the town of Hoonah, please contact Captain Josh directly.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Tours depart promptly.
If your ship is docked at the Adventure Dock, proceed to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. Exit through door number '2' and follow signs to the Excursion Hub (a 6-8 minute walk). Check in 15 minutes early.
If your ship is docked at the Wilderness Dock, it's a 25-minute walk or a 3-minute Transporter Gondola ride to the Adventure Center. From the Adventure Center, follow signs to the Excursion Hub. Once at the Excursion Hub, find your driver holding an orange sign that reads 'Alaska Whale and Drone Tours'.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Public transportation options are available nearby. Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. Suitable for all physical fitness levels. Alaska Whale Watching with bonus Drone viewing of Whales Pickup included Arrive at the Excursion Hub 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. Dress in warm layers, as conditions can be cool on the water. Bring a camera to capture the incredible sights, though the drone footage will provide unique perspectives. Be prepared for potential sightings of Orcas, bears, and sea lions in addition to whales. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, making it accessible for most travelers. Enjoy the complimentary snacks and bottled water provided during the tour. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 247811P1
Activity offered by Alaska Whales & Drones Tours via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Nature enthusiasts Wildlife photographers Families Adventure seekers Guaranteed Humpback Whale sightings Unique drone footage of whales Abundant marine and coastal wildlife Expert guides with passion for wildlife Custom-built whale watching vessels 3-hour immersive experience
Population 733,391 (2020)
Elevation 580 m
Currency United States dollar
Driving on the right
Power plugs A, B · 120 V
Emergency number 911
Capital city Washington, D.C. Average temperatures -20° Jan -15° Feb -13° Mar -3° Apr 7° May 12° Jun 13° Jul 11° Aug 5° Sept -3° Oct -14° Nov -17° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the success rate for seeing Humpback Whales? + We have a 100% success rate with finding Humpback Whales on tours!
What other wildlife can be seen during the tour? + You may see Orcas, Coastal Brown Bears, Sea lions, seals, and more!
What makes this whale watching tour unique? + This is the one truly Drone-integrated whale watching tour in the world, providing you with views and videos of wildlife that are truly unique, and at the end of it, you get to take the footage from your tour home!
How long is the tour? + The tour duration is 3 hours.
What should I bring with me? + While not explicitly stated, bringing a camera is recommended. Warm clothing is advised for being on the water.
Is transportation included? + Pickup is included from the Excursions Hub at Icy Strait Point. If you wish to meet in Hoonah, please contact Captain Josh directly.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
We saw a group of whales
Marisha24, October 2026
The tour was very well organized. The boat is in good shape, with comfortable "indoor" seating and small open areas in front and back. We saw a few whales-not especially close, but still close enough to get a good look. The drone footage was a great bonus and turned out really well. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
A Magical Mind-Blowing Perspective—The Ultimate Way to See Whales!
JimD1980, October 2026
This was an amazing trip. Captain Josh is very knowledgeable and was so helpful with booking the trip. There are many operators offering similar tours but i would thoroughly recommend choosing this one.
Things I Liked:
• Unbeatable Aerial Perspective: The highlight of the trip is the high-definition drone footage. While you are watching humpbacks or orcas from the boat's deck, the crew captures them from directly above. Seeing a whole whale swim, dive, or bubble-net feed just below the water's surface from a bird's-eye view is an absolute game-changer.
• Instant Digital Souvenirs: You don’t have to wait weeks for your media. Before you even step off the boat, the crew displays the footage on onboard iPads, AirDrops it straight to your phone, and hands you a complimentary thumb drive to take home.
• Intimate, Small-Group Experience: Unlike the crowded, massive catamarans packed with hundreds of cruise passengers, Alaska Whale & Drone Tours uses a small boat capped at roughly 14 to 18 passengers. This means everyone has a perfect front-row seat at the railing without fighting for a view.
• Enthusiastic and Talented Crew: Captain Josh and his team are phenomenal. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the local waters of Hoonah and Icy Strait, and their genuine excitement when wildlife appears makes the whole tour feel like an adventure with friends.
• Abundant Wildlife Sightings: Thanks to the captain's deep understanding of local feeding grounds, travellers report consistent and breathtaking encounters—not just with whales, but also with bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions, and harbor seals.
Things to be aware of:
• Weather-Dependent Drone Flights: While the company boasts a very high drone launch success rate, heavy downpours or extreme winds can ground the tech for safety reasons. If the weather turns completely sour, you might miss out on the aerial footage aspect of the tour.
• No Large Indoor Cabins: Because the vessel is smaller and optimized for outdoor, 360-degree wildlife viewing, there isn't a massive indoor heated lounge to retreat to if it gets cold or rainy. Layering up with waterproof gear is recommended.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
The Best Whale Tour I Have Ever Been On
hilda41, September 2026
Such a wonderful experience. as a solo.We saw everything-2 bears on the beach, otters frolicking, orcas & hump back whales. Weather was lousy but the Captain managed to take us to everything and the bonus was the drone.I am not one to take photos as I like to experience the closeness we are to everything so when I saw the drone footage it took my breath away. My daughter could not believe what we saw.Thank you to the man who took the drone footage & the Captain as this was the best whale tour I have ever been on.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Awesome and Epic excursion
D8101PKemiliem, September 2026
My experience was absolutely an epic one we got to see so many orcas sea lions sea otters and humpback whale. Captain Josh was absolutely awesome and also having the drone videos made my trip a memorable one I absolutely recommend booking this it’s well worth the money and I would do it again.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
This is the one! Don't hesitate to book.
jenniferhQ3905WF, September 2026
One of the most amazing whale watching excursions we have ever taken! Josh and his crew are knowledgeable, punctual & kind . The drone footage is such an amazing addition beyond your average whale watching adventure. Gives such a beautiful perspective you cannot see anywhere else and getting closer view without any effect on the wildlife. Do not hesitate this is the excursion you want to book! Josh is very communicative and gave us presice instructions to the meeting point.
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