Independent travel guide
Can you visit Hoonah, Alaska without being on a cruise? Yes. Two real ways in: the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau, or a short floatplane hop. Here's exactly how to get here, where to stay, and how to plan a trip that isn't limited to a few hours off a ship.
The rest of this guide covers both ways in, where to stay once you're here, and what a multi-day, unhurried visit actually looks like compared to a single port day.
Getting here
Neither option runs on a big-airline schedule, so a little planning goes a long way. Here's what to expect from each.
The state ferry connects Hoonah to Juneau's Auke Bay terminal. Crossing time runs 3.5 to 7 hours depending on the routing and any stops along the way, and a walk-on adult fare is roughly $60 one way (vehicles cost more). Sailings aren't daily and the schedule shifts by season, so check the current sailing calendar and book ahead through the Alaska Marine Highway System's own booking site rather than assuming a same-day departure.
Alaska Seaplanes flies Juneau to Hoonah in about 20 minutes, with up to four flights a day during the summer high season and a lighter winter schedule. Fares run roughly $100 one way. It's the faster, pricier option, and useful if you're short on time or the ferry schedule doesn't line up with your trip. Call their Juneau station or book through their site to confirm current fares and departure times.
Where to stay
Every other guide on this site is written for someone with a few hours before a ship leaves. Staying overnight means you're not racing a clock, and Hoonah has real, independently run places to sleep that a day-trip itinerary never mentions. See the full local directory for current lodging options in Hoonah.
Planning your days
Most visitor content here (ours included) is written around a single port day. With 3–4 days on the ground, you can spread things out instead of cramming them in.
Book a bear-viewing tour one day and a whale-watching trip another, instead of trying to pick just one before a ship's all-aboard time.
Come back to a favorite restaurant for a second meal, or catch Icy Strait Brewing in the evening — something a several-hour port call rarely allows.
The same 1.5-mile route cruise passengers rush isn't a race when you're not watching a ship's departure time. Take the landmarks slow — see our walking guide for the full route.
More time means more room to explore Tongass National Forest beyond what a short excursion covers, weather and outfitter availability permitting.
Quick answers
Yes. Hoonah is a real town you can reach independently, either by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau or by floatplane with Alaska Seaplanes. No cruise required.
Yes, the Alaska Marine Highway System runs a ferry route between Juneau's Auke Bay terminal and Hoonah. The crossing takes roughly 3.5 to 7 hours depending on the specific sailing, and the schedule varies by season, so check current sailings before you plan around it.
A walk-on adult fare runs roughly $60 one way. Exact pricing depends on the sailing and whether you're bringing a vehicle, so confirm the current fare through the Alaska Marine Highway System's own booking tool.
Yes. Alaska Seaplanes flies floatplanes directly between Juneau and Hoonah in about 20 minutes, with several flights a day in summer. It costs more than the ferry (roughly $100 one way) but saves hours of travel time.
Most independent travelers plan for 3 to 4 days, enough time to fit in wildlife tours, local restaurants, and the walk into town without rushing, plus some buffer for Southeast Alaska's unpredictable weather.
Hoonah has real, independently run lodging. See the full Hoonah Off Ship directory for current listings.
Bears, whales, food, and the walk into town — all in one place.