Discover the unexpected adventure of snorkeling in Alaska with Snorkel Alaska’s Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure. Ketchikan’s waters offer an excellent opportunity for a thrilling snorkeling tour, where you can encounter fascinating sea creatures like sea urchins, crabs, and even humpback whales. Immerse yourself in Southeast Alaska’s breathtaking underwater world as you snorkel the calm and clear waters of Mountain Point. Stay warm in a state-of-the-art 7mm wetsuit and explore diving in Alaska, which has over 11,000 miles of coastline, bays, coves, and reef systems.
Snorkeling Alaska operates the Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure in Ketchikan, Alaska, an all-inclusive shore excursion available to anyone visiting Ketchikan. They provide everything you need to snorkel safely and Snorkeling Alaska offers a unique underwater experience for those who want to explore the unique sea creatures of the 49th state.
Mountain Point is perfect for snorkeling, with shallow tide pools teeming with marine life and steep underwater rock walls for free diving. The view at Icy Point, Hoonah Alaska, whale watching, Selkie Snorkels Sitka, and Island Fever Diving and Adventures are all worth experiencing.
No prior snorkeling experience is required, and Alaska’s intertidal zone boasts beautiful and unique marine life. With premium wet suits and water, Snorkeling Alaska offers a thrilling snorkeling tour where you can encounter fascinating sea creatures like sea urchins, crabs, and even humpback whales.
📹 Snorkel with us in Ketchikan, Alaska
Yes you can snorkel in Alaska! Join us for a once in a lifetime Shore Excursion in Ketchikan. We are consistently rated as one of …
Can you snorkel in Alaska?
Experience Snorkeling in Ketchikan. Don a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel and get an up-close look at the unique sea creatures of the 49th state: urchins, sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers, and…what’s that…a humpback whale swimming nearby?! This is the magic of snorkeling in Alaska—a singular experience that you can only do in the waters around Ketchikan. That water may be chilly—the average temperature in summer is 55 degrees—but don’t worry: Your wetsuit will keep you warm.
On this 3-hour excursion, Snorkel Alaska will pick you up from their office or the cruise ship docks, then outfit you with top-of-the-line gear: wetsuits, hoods, boots, gloves, masks, fins, and snorkels. Even optional weight belts for free diving. Anyone who’s healthy and fits the weight requirements can take part—it’s even a great outing for families. The most challenging part will be wriggling into the wetsuit!
No experience? No problem. Two Snorkel Alaska guides (all PADI-certified Divemasters or SCUBA Instructors) will be with your small (10 people max) group at all times, offering instruction and pointing out the highlights. You’ll spend 60 to 90 minutes swimming and resting while taking in the majestic underwater kelp forest that’s teeming with life and looking for the occasional orca or sea lion.
Where can I snorkel in Avalon?
You can snorkel all around Catalina Island. Some of the best spots to snorkel are our Marine Protected Areas. There are several in Avalon including Casino Point Dive Park and Lovers Cove Marine Preserve.
Yes, you can snorkel for free on Catalina Island. Our beaches and parksare open to the public. There is a charge to rent snorkel gear or to join a guided snorkel tour.
Catalina Flyer from Newport. $10 Off Catalina Island Ferry. Hop onboard the Catalina Flyer for daily ferry service from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina Island in just over 1 hour.
Can you see sharks in Alaska?
There are three shark species commonly found in Alaskan waters: Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus), spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi), and salmon shark (Lamna ditropis).
“Shark” is not a word most people associate with Alaska. There are three shark species commonly found in Alaskan waters: Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus), spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi), and salmon shark (Lamna ditropis). Many other species occur occasionally in Alaskan waters as well, including great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), blue sharks (Prionace glauca), six-gill sharks (Hexanchus griseus) and others. Currently there are no directed fisheries for these species in Alaska, but they are caught incidentally in other fisheries.
We calculated vulnerability scores for 21 Alaskan groundfish species based on their reproductive biology and susceptibility to overfishing. Three of the four most vulnerable species were sharks. The Pacific sleeper shark was the most vulnerable of all species considered.
Our scientists collect and analyze the scientific information needed to manage and conserve sharks in Alaskan waters.
Can I scuba dive in Alaska?
Alaska Diving Take a trip out of Resurrection Bay or your favorite Alaska scuba diving spot with us! We are always down to come alongside you and your dive buddies as professional guides on a dive trip. The incredible natural beauty above and below our pristine Alaskan waters are something you won’t want to miss.
Experience the best in scuba diving, right here in Alaska.
Scuba diving? Freediving? Whether you are new to scuba diving, interested in renewing your scuba certification, or ready to take your diving to the next level, we’ve got a course for you. Choose to complete your training in Alaska, or in your favorite vacation spot!
New to diving? No problem! Swing by our shop in Anchorage, or give us a call, and we will walk you through which courses to take, which equipment to rent or buy, and the best options for you to begin your diving journey!
What is the water temperature in Alaska for scuba diving?
When people think Alaska, they think ice and snow. And while that’s not wrong, it’s definitely not completely accurate. Our water can get cold. Yes, we do go ice diving. But in terms of ocean diving, we rarely see water temperatures dip below 40° Fahrenheit, even in the dead of winter. Summer water temperatures in Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound are comparable to the Pacific Northwest.
3. …But It Isn’t Warm. As we said, Alaska water is nowhere near as cold as you think. But it’s not warm, either.
If you’re scuba diving in Alaska, you’re probably going to need to be drysuit certified. We don’t rent 7mm wetsuits, as they would only be practical for 2-3 months in the summer, although you are welcome to bring your own. For freedivers, that means you’re going to need to have your own wetsuit, or purchase one while you’re here.
Can you swim in the ocean Alaska?
While Alaska’s wild, forest-fringed shores aren’t the first place you’d consider for sunbathing and swimming, the beaches of the 49th state are absolutely beautiful. Empty, remote, pristine, and often backed by dense forest, Alaska’s beaches are a joy to explore.
On warm summer days, you can swim from many of its beaches, although it’s better to have backup activities in mind if you’re not used to cool water. Luckily, there are many to try.
Stroll along the shore, follow waterfront trails, paddle a sea kayak, scan the horizon for whale blows, and watch the treetops for the telltale white head of the bald eagle. Alaska has an impressive tidal range of around 25 feet, so low tide exposes a wonderful world of rock pools to discover.
Here are 12 of the best beaches in Alaska to discover.
Can you go swimming in Alaska?
While Alaska’s wild, forest-fringed shores aren’t the first place you’d consider for sunbathing and swimming, the beaches of the 49th state are absolutely beautiful. Empty, remote, pristine, and often backed by dense forest, Alaska’s beaches are a joy to explore.
On warm summer days, you can swim from many of its beaches, although it’s better to have backup activities in mind if you’re not used to cool water. Luckily, there are many to try.
Stroll along the shore, follow waterfront trails, paddle a sea kayak, scan the horizon for whale blows, and watch the treetops for the telltale white head of the bald eagle. Alaska has an impressive tidal range of around 25 feet, so low tide exposes a wonderful world of rock pools to discover.
Is snorkeling in Ketchikan worth it?
The wet suit including hood, booties, and gloves kept me warm in the water. The snorkeling was outstanding. There were lots of echinoderms including sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, and everything was so colorful. The guide was great explaining some of the wildlife.
Can you see orcas in Ketchikan?
It’s no secret that the sheer abundance of orcas that pass through Ketchikan, AK, is a main reason people visit the lightly populated area. Starting in about April, we notice orcas coming in through inside passageways. They’re a lively bunch on the hunt for delicious king salmon, and who can blame them? Orcas gallantly make their return to the chilled Alaskan waters year after year, and we never get enough of admiring their magnificence. You’ll notice that as king salmon get closer, orca sightings become much more frequent. This typically happens during the months of May and June.
One thing is for certain—these majestic creatures are the master of their domain and they do as they please. As such, while we love every opportunity available to see the mighty orca, we cannot guarantee that they will show themselves on our tours—they go wherever they want, and we’re not about to tell them otherwise.
If we’re lucky enough to encounter orcas on the sea during a tour after they’ve fed, their cheerful presence will leave your entire family with lasting impressions you’re sure to remember. This is because, after one of their elated feeding frenzies, orcas often become very acrobatic.
Can you swim in Ketchikan Alaska?
With an average temperature of 56 degrees, swimming in Ketchikan’s ocean waters is a chilly prospect. The varied sea life – seals, salmon, seabirds – can also be distracting. That’s why for decades kids in Ketchikan have been learning to swim out at Rotary beach, where a cement causeway allows tidewaters to come in and warm up in a protected pond.
The city got its first swimming pool in the 1970s, but locals still love to hang out at this sandy/rocky beach three miles south of town. Also called “Bugge Beach,” after Martin Bugge, who originally owned the beach as part of a mining claim. this area offers a scenic view overlooking Nichol’s Passage, and is also a great place to tidepool or picnic with the family.
Hear shrieks and squeals of excitement as kids wade around in tidepools with their buckets finding all manner of critters – eels, bullheads, snails, hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea anemones, starfish, blimmies (eeltype fish), small octopus, eelgrass, clams, mollusks, and kelps.
Can you swim in Avalon?
Catalina Island Beaches. Have fun in the sun and relax with friends and family. Avalon Beaches. Avalon has three public beaches and one private beach.
South Beach, Middle BeachandStep Beachare public beaches thatlie along Crescent Avenue, steps away from hotels, shops, restaurants, restrooms and recreation. During the summer months, each public beach has a lifeguard on duty, as well as a swim line. Feel free to bring your lunch, but please note that alcoholic beverages, animals and smoking are prohibited on public beaches.
South Beach and Middle Beach are located on either side of the Green Pleasure Pier. South Beach is the first beach you see when arriving from the ferry terminal, it’s locateddirectly infront of the Pavilion Hotel and LuauLarry’s. Middle Beach overlooks thecenter of the harbor, where the majority of Crescent Ave shops and restaurants are located. Step Beach is located in the area in front ofthe Via Casino Arch and is a few steps down off Crescent Ave.
High tide and low tide occur twice daily, every six hours. Beach-goers lounge in the white sandy beach area above the sea wall. Below the sea wall, the wet sand is perfect for sand castle building or other sandy endeavors.
Where is the best place to snorkel?
9 Best Places to Snorkel in the WorldBaa Atoll, Maldives. Why it’s special: Swim with manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. … Maui, Hawaii. … Koh Tao, Thailand. … Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. … Great Barrier Reef, Australia. … Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia. … Bora Bora, French Polynesia. … Punta Mita, Mexico.
There are few better ways to escape the daily grind than by snorkelling – effortlessly floating through tranquil waters, a kaleidoscope of vibrant fish and mesmerising sea creatures all around.
With up to 80 percent of all earthly life located in the seas, there’s no shortage of remarkable creatures to encounter. And memorable aquatic adventures can be had near shore with a mask, fins and snorkel. Snorkellers can experience the intense natural beauty of the underwater world without heavy equipment or time-consuming certification – which means no matter what your level of experience, the ocean’s beauty is within reach.
To help you make plans to swim with sea turtles or mingle with manta rays, we reveal our top nine places to snorkel in the world.
📹 Snorkel Alaska in Ketchikan 2024
Here’s a few highlights of our tours.
Such a fantastic article! I had no idea that it’s possible to snorkel that far north or that the creatures you showed were present in your waters. I have been an avid snorkeler since I was a young child. We were in Key West, Florida. I mistakenly grew up thinking that what I saw there would not be further north. We moved due to my father’s death. I lived in NC for years before I found that sea urchins and some of the other creatures I knew live in our coastal waters. I then was able to embrace it as “home.” I hope you can find a way to keep your business going. You are doing good work promoting the wildlife of Alaska. They are under appreciated, therefore lack support for protection.