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Wearing a 7mm wetsuit, you enter clear, cold water off Ketchikan to snorkel along kelp and rocky intertidal shelves. This guided, three‑hour shore excursion offers close views of seals, abundant invertebrates and the odd passing whale, but demands solid fitness and comfort in cold water.
Wearing a 7mm wetsuit, you enter clear, cold water off Ketchikan to snorkel along kelp and rocky intertidal shelves. This guided, three‑hour shore excursion offers close views of seals, abundant invertebrates and the odd passing whale, but demands solid fitness and comfort in cold water.
A brisk marine wind meets the dock as you step off the cruise walkway and into a small group bound for Mountain Point. The shoreline here is rocky and immediate — you don a heavy 7mm wetsuit, feel neoprene shoulders hug your frame, and slip into water that is startlingly clear for Alaska. Kelp forests sway like dark, deliberate curtains; starfish cling to boulders and curious fish hover where currents converge.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Snorkel Alaska · Ketchikan, Alaska
A brisk marine wind meets the dock as you step off the cruise walkway and into a small group bound for Mountain Point. The shoreline here is rocky and immediate — you don a heavy 7mm wetsuit, feel neoprene shoulders hug your frame, and slip into water that is startlingly clear for Alaska. Kelp forests sway like dark, deliberate curtains; starfish cling to boulders and curious fish hover where currents converge.
This part of Southeast Alaska sits on the edge of the Alexander Archipelago, carved by glacial action that left steep headlands and intertidal shelves. The local Tlingit communities have fished these waters for generations, and modern guides blend natural history with safety instruction to interpret what you see below the surface.
Expect close encounters: harbor seals, occasional sea lions, and the flash of salmon during season — and on rare days, humpbacks feeding in nearby channels. The beach entry is deliberate and physical; guides emphasize careful footing on slick stones and respecting fragile tidepool life.
Practically, the trip is a short, intense outing: roughly three hours including transport, one hour in the water in a guided pair or small group. The operator provides full wetsuit kits, masks and fins, hot beverages and in‑water supervision. You should be comfortable in cold water, able to swim, and free of cardiovascular or mobility limitations. Bring a swimsuit, an extra pair of socks to ease wetsuit donning, a towel, and a sense of patience — currents and weather dictate conditions. For adventurous travelers who want a rare underwater Alaskan perspective, Mountain Point is a hands‑on, memorable slice of the north.
challenging.
3 hours.
High level of cardiovascular fitness and basic swimming proficiency; comfortable with sustained cold exposure and beach entries.
No formal certification required, but you should be a confident swimmer and comfortable snorkeling in cold, sometimes current‑affected water; guided support is continuous.
Guides supply full 7mm wetsuits with hoods, boots, gloves, Tusa or SCUBAPRO masks, twin‑jet fins, hot beverages, transport from the cruise docks and in‑water supervision.
Participants must weigh between 80–260 pounds for proper wetsuit fit; suggested maximum age is about 70 and those with heart, respiratory, seizure histories or severe mobility limits are not permitted to snorkel.
You may see harbor seals and sea lions frequently; humpback whales and porpoises appear in nearby channels seasonally but are not guaranteed during the snorkeling itself.
The area is within Tlingit traditional territory; marine harvesting and shoreline stewardship remain central to local culture and seasonal rhythms.
The intertidal zone is fragile — avoid touching life, pack out all gear and follow guides’ instructions to minimize disturbance to marine mammals and habitat.
Snorkel Alaska operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A brisk marine wind meets the dock as you step off the cruise walkway and into a small group bound for Mountain Point. The shoreline here is rocky and immediate — you don a heavy 7mm wetsuit, feel neoprene shoulders hug your frame, and slip into water that is startlingly clear for Alaska. Kelp forests sway like dark, deliberate curtains; starfish cling to boulders and curious fish hover where currents converge.
A brisk marine wind meets the dock as you step off the cruise walkway and into a small group bound for Mountain Point. The shoreline here is rocky and immediate — you don a heavy 7mm wetsuit, feel neoprene shoulders hug your frame, and slip into water that is startlingly clear for Alaska. Kelp forests sway like dark, deliberate curtains; starfish cling to boulders and curious fish hover where currents converge.
This part of Southeast Alaska sits on the edge of the Alexander Archipelago, carved by glacial action that left steep headlands and intertidal shelves. The local Tlingit communities have fished these waters for generations, and modern guides blend natural history with safety instruction to interpret what you see below the surface.
Expect close encounters: harbor seals, occasional sea lions, and the flash of salmon during season — and on rare days, humpbacks feeding in nearby channels. The beach entry is deliberate and physical; guides emphasize careful footing on slick stones and respecting fragile tidepool life.
Practically, the trip is a short, intense outing: roughly three hours including transport, one hour in the water in a guided pair or small group. The operator provides full wetsuit kits, masks and fins, hot beverages and in‑water supervision. You should be comfortable in cold water, able to swim, and free of cardiovascular or mobility limitations. Bring a swimsuit, an extra pair of socks to ease wetsuit donning, a towel, and a sense of patience — currents and weather dictate conditions. For adventurous travelers who want a rare underwater Alaskan perspective, Mountain Point is a hands‑on, memorable slice of the north.