Snorkel Alaska: Mountain Point Guided Cold‑Water Snorkeling Adventure in Ketchikan

Suit up in a 7mm wetsuit and slip into Alaska’s intertidal world at Mountain Point. This guided shore snorkel offers close encounters with colorful marine life and the chance to spot seals and whales while learning safe cold‑water techniques.

Ketchikan, Alaska•

3 hours

•By Adventure Collective•October 2025

The Experience

A wet wind pushes off the Tongass and the rocky shoreline answers with a scatter of foam. At Mountain Point, guides help snug a 7mm wetsuit into place and the cold Pacific tugs at your limbs—the water here has an edge, and the subtidal world rewards the daring. You slip in from a boulder-strewn beach and a kelp forest unfurls beneath you, alive with orange sea stars, anemones clinging like barnacled bursts of color, and the possibility of seals investigating from a discreet distance.

Before You Go

Wetsuit fit matters

Bring a thin base layer and follow size guidance—proper fit keeps you warm and reduces fatigue in 7mm suits.

Sturdy beach entry shoes

Wear closed‑toe, grippy water shoes for rocky entries and exits; fins alone won’t protect your toes on wet boulders.

Hydrate and fuel up

Cold water can mask exertion—eat a solid snack and hydrate before the tour to maintain energy during strenuous swimming.

Listen to currents briefing

Guides will point out current patterns and suggested swim lines—follow them closely to stay safe and conserve energy.

Local Knowledge

Hidden Gems

•Explore low‑tide rock pools near the launch for colorful anemones and sea stars
•Walk a nearby shoreline headland for eagle perches and quiet views away from tourist docks

Wildlife

•Harbor seals
•Humpback whales

Conservation Note

Operators follow responsible wildlife distances and discourage touching marine life; pack‑in/pack‑out practices and clean wetsuits help limit invasive species transfer between sites.

These waters are part of the traditional territory of the Tlingit people, who have long used intertidal resources; the coastal geology was sculpted by repeated glaciation during the last Ice Age.

What to Bring

✓

Swimwear or thermal base layerEssential

Worn under the wetsuit to add warmth and quick drying comfort.

✓

Closed‑toe water shoesEssential

Protects feet on rocky entries and provides traction on wet boulders.

○

Waterproof dry bag

Keeps spare clothes, phone and warm layers dry while you’re in the water.

✓

Warm, windproof outer layerEssential

Essential for post‑snorkel warmth once you’re out of the suit and facing coastal winds.

Common Questions

How cold is the water and will I be warm enough?

Water temperatures in Southeast Alaska are cold year‑round; the operator provides full 7mm wetsuits, hoods, boots and gloves which allow most fit, healthy swimmers to stay warm for the guided hour in water.

Are there age or weight limits?

Participants are generally expected to weigh between 80 and 260 pounds for wetsuit fit and suggested maximum age is around 70 due to the tour’s strenuous nature—check with the operator if you have concerns.

What happens if weather or tides are bad?

Tours can be cancelled for safety reasons; the operator typically requires 24‑hour cancellation for a full refund and may cancel or reschedule if conditions are unsafe.

Will I see whales or large marine mammals?

You may see seals commonly and humpback whales or porpoises occasionally; guides maintain safe distances and follow wildlife viewing guidelines to avoid disturbance.