Icy Strait is a large, open coastal strait at the entrance to Glacier Bay in Southeast Alaska, near the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. The strait is a major marine corridor with significant tidal influence, open water, and exposure to weather. The primary paddling described in the area focuses on the more sheltered adjacent waters of Port Frederick, a bay off Icy Strait. A key public launch point for paddlers is the Hoonah public boat ramp, which provides ocean access to Port Frederick and Icy Strait. This ramp offers parking and is suitable for sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Guided tours typically launch from the beach at Icy Strait Point, a cruise port facility, and paddle into the calm waters of Port Frederick. Paddlers should be prepared for conditions that include small waves and currents, with one tour operator noting participants should be fit enough to paddle against the current. The area is known for strong tidal flow, and it is recommended to time paddles around slack tide for the easiest conditions. The water is cold year-round, and paddlers must be equipped for immersion. Wildlife sightings are a major feature, with frequent possibilities of seeing bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and humpback whales. Brown bears are also present along the shorelines. The summer months, specifically June through August, are the best time to visit. The overall experience is one of accessing remote Alaskan wilderness with stunning mountain views, old-growth forests, and a glacier-carved coastline, though the main strait itself presents conditions for experienced paddlers only, while the adjoining Port Frederick offers beginner-friendly, sheltered flatwater.