Ketchikan Snorkeling Tours

Ketchikan Snorkeling Tours - What to Know

Snorkel tours in Southeast Alaska are an unforgettable experience, offering the chance to explore an underwater world that is unlike anywhere else. During the summer months, typically from June to August, water temperatures rise to a surprising 55–65°F (13–18ºC), making this the ideal time to snorkel. Many tour operators only operate from late April through late September or Early October when the cruise ships are in port. Conditions vary throughout that time, the water is coldest in April and May but it is also the clearest at that time. As waters warm, fish get more active, such as in June and July, but then you get reduced visibility from plankton and algae movement and growth. August and September is when it cools off again and it gets a bit more clear.

Alaska’s snorkeling spots are located along rugged coastlines, often with easy access to shore, making them both scenic and rich with marine biodiversity. The intertidal zones and rocky coastlines are teeming with marine life, from colorful sea stars, anemones, and sea urchins to fish and sea cucumbers. In some areas, dramatic underwater rock walls drop to depths of 100 feet (30.5 m), providing opportunities for both surface snorkeling and freediving. If you’re lucky, you might even witness whales passing by while exploring the clear waters.

Whether you’re drawn to the colorful tide pools or intrigued by the steep rock walls, the region offers unique opportunities to explore its underwater habitats during the summer. From the diversity of marine life to the occasional surprise of a whale swimming nearby, snorkeling in Alaska is a true adventure that showcases the natural beauty of the Last Frontier.

Why Choose a Snorkeling Tour in Ketchikan

Taking a guided snorkel tour is ideal for travelers seeking a hassle-free, immersive adventure with the expertise of professional guides and local insights. While Alaska’s summer waters may reach up to 55–65°F (13–18ºC), don’t let the cold deter you—specialized equipment provided by outfitters, including 7mm wetsuits with hoods, boots, and gloves, ensures you stay warm and comfortable. If you're arriving via cruise ship, look for outfitters who guarantee timely returns to your ship. Fortunately, the primary snorkeling sites are conveniently located just minutes from the cruise docks, making it easy to fit this unique experience into your itinerary.

Unlike tropical snorkeling destinations with colorful coral reefs and schools of small fish, Alaska offers a completely unique underwater environment. A stunning rock wall plunges into the water just off the coast, teeming with vivid orange and purple algae, sea stars, urchins, and sea cucumbers. Delicate anemones sway gently in the current, creating a dynamic underwater landscape. With a bit of luck, you might encounter marine mammals like harbor seals, sea lions, and river otters, or even spot humpback whales, orcas, and giant lingcod nesting in the depths. The diversity of marine life in Alaska’s intertidal zone offers an unforgettable glimpse into a cold-water ecosystem.

One of the key benefits of a guided tour is the opportunity to engage with marine life in a responsible and hands-on way. Experienced guides know exactly which animals are safe to handle, how to do so respectfully, and how to return them without harm. This allows you to observe and appreciate creatures like sea stars and urchins up close in a way that wouldn’t be possible on your own. Guided tours provide a deeper understanding of this rich and necessary ecosystem while ensuring minimal impact on the marine environment—a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Ketchikan Snorkeling Tour Requirements

Because of the cooler water temperatures, snorkeling in Alaska requires specialized gear, including 7mm wetsuits with hoods, gloves, and boots to keep participants warm. There are also some safety considerations due to the physical demands of navigating currents and adapting to colder waters.

Due to the cold-water environment, even in the summer months, in Alaska, there are certain requirements to keep participants safe. Participants must weigh between 80 lbs and 260 lbs (36 kg to 118 kg) to ensure a proper wetsuit fit. You should also be reasonably physically fit as the tour is rated to be strenuous. If you can’t find it difficult to walk one mile, then this tour may not be for you. The tours are not suitable for the elderly or guests with limited mobility. Our suggested age limit is 65 depending on your level of physical fitness.

Due to the strenuous nature of snorkeling in Alaska and in accordance with the guidelines established by The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Discover Snorkeling Program, outfitters must deny participation for a variety of medical conditions. If you suffer from ANY form of heart condition past or present, minor or major, we are unfortunately unable to take you snorkeling. Heart conditions include but are not limited to murmurs, flutters, mitral-valve prolapse, angina, stints, pacemakers, defibrillators, bradycardia, tachycardia, congestive heart failure, valve replacement, bypass surgery, etc. Cold water can cause sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure as the body adjusts to the temperature, placing stress on the heart, and can trigger cardiac events in individuals with heart conditions, even if they are otherwise well-managed.

Outfitters also must deny participation for major respiratory disorders like bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, exercise-induced asthma, etc. Cold water can constrict the airways and make breathing more difficult. Therefore individuals with respiratory conditions can experience exacerbated symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, or reduced ability to inhale deeply.

If you have any past or present history of seizures or fainting, outfitters are also unable to take you snorkeling. Entering cold water can trigger unexpected physiological stress, which can increase the likelihood of a seizure for individuals with a history of disorder. Seizures in water can be life-threatening because it can lead to a loss of consciousness and increase the risk of drowning, even with supervision.

Participants do not need to know how to swim or snorkel. The thick, 7mm wetsuits act similar to a life jacket in the water and float you on the surface. As a beginner you will not be taking a weight belt so that you do float easily.

Where to Go Snorkeling in Ketchikan

Mountain Point

Just down the road from the cruise ship docks, this extraordinary site features a stunning combination of shallow tide pools bustling with colorful sea stars, sea cucumbers, and anemones, as well as steep underwater rock walls perfect for free diving and exploration. The intertidal zone is alive with orange and purple algae, swaying kelp forests, and a variety of urchins, while harbor seals, sea lions, and even humpback whales occasionally make an appearance. What sets Mountain Point apart is its untouched beauty and rich biodiversity, providing a rare chance to explore a cold-water ecosystem in a pristine Alaskan setting. Whether you’re marveling at the bright colors of marine life or diving deeper into the dramatic underwater rock formations, snorkeling here is an unforgettable adventure.

Top Tips for Snorkeling in Ketchikan

• Follow Safety Guidelines: Your guides are there to keep you safe and provide the best experience for you! Please listen to all safety briefings and always stay aware of your surroundings and the members in your group!
• Respect Marine Life: Observe wildlife from a distance without chasing or harassing them. Never feed or touch animals, even if they approach you out of curiosity. Please NEVER pick up and bring any of the marine life to the surface, much of the marine life will not survive the pressure difference at the surface. Expert guides know what can be handled safely and may bring you marine life that will not be disturbed or harmed in a safe manner.
• Stay Hydrated: Swimming and snorkeling can be intense, even if it is in the cold. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep all trash with you and secured down while off the boat or at the shore and dispose of it properly when you’re near a trash can or back at your cruise.
• Use Defog: Every boat or snorkel tour almost always has a bottle of defog! Please use it! It is safe for your eyes and it keeps your mask crystal clear so you can see all of the marine life! If you have issues with a foggy mask, return to the boat and let your guide know so they can fix it!
• Fit Your Snorkel Equipment: When receiving snorkeling equipment, ensure you get properly fitting masks and fins. Fins should fit snugly enough to stay on without slipping off or rubbing up and down when kicking. To test a mask, place it over your face without securing the strap behind your head. Gently breathe in through your nose—if the mask stays in place and doesn’t fall off when you look down, it’s a good fit. Additionally, if you can’t easily pull the mask off while sucking in through your nose, then it’s sealed well and should fit your face properly.

Other Ketchikan Adventures

There are plenty of other Ketchikan adventures when you're done with snorkeling! These include freediving, hiking, kayaking, and electric biking!