Icy Strait
Icy Strait is a legendary body of water that connects the protected inside waters of Southeast Alaska to the open Pacific Ocean. The nutrient rich waters of Southeast Alaska make it one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. During the summer months, these abundant fjords become the ideal home and feeding ground for a large population of Humpback Whales. Humpbacks travel to the area every year after their winter breeding season in the warmer waters of Hawaii and Mexico. After navigating over 3000 miles, we often see the same individual humpbacks return to Icy Strait year after year.
Humpbacks aren’t the only wildlife in the area. Our trips often encounter Sea Lions, Seals, Porpoise, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles, Coastal Brown Bears along the shoreline, & our favorite – the awe inspiring Orca better known as the Killer Whale.
Captain Seth
Captain Seth has an extensive history running whale watching tours, tidewater glacier tours, & conducting offshore research. He holds a 100 Ton USCG Master Captain’s License.
Seth first arrived in Alaska while finishing his degree in Environmental Engineering. He quickly fell in love with Southeast Alaska and, after graduating college, dedicated his life to captaining vessels in the area. Apart from over a decade of whale watching operations, Seth’s Alaskan resumé includes sport fishing for salmon and halibut, commercial crab fishing, and captaining long range boat charters into Tracy Arm Ford’s Terror Wilderness where he would navigate guests through the floating ice up to the face of the tidewater glaciers.
In addition to tourism operations, Seth has worked extensively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Seth helped conduct various types of research for NOAA centered around Marine Mammals and Fisheries.
Seth and his wife, Emily, (and their two dogs, Captain & Skipper) live year-round in Hoonah, Alaska. Seth feels extremely fortunate to be able to do what he loves and share his favorite body of water, Icy Strait, with you.