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Sitka Sound Island Snorkel Tour

4.5
4 reviews

Excursion Overview

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience - Snorkeling in Sitka!

The Sitka Sound Island Snorkel Tour builds a bridge of accessibility between visitors and the underwater world of Southeast Alaska. Your local team will outfit each snorkeler with a state-of-the-art 7mm wetsuit and snorkel gear to make sure you stay warm while swimming. The only part of your body exposed to the water is your lower face.

Join the experienced and knowledgeable guides who will lead you on a snorkel tour among the kelp forests surrounding Sitka. Sitka's unique location on the Outer Coast of Southeast Alaska brings currents, waves, and pelagic creatures to its shores. The waters are teeming with colorful rockfish, kelp greenlings, sculpins, sea scallops, crabs, sand dollars, sea stars, anemones, Giant Pacific Octopi, and more.

The ocean around Sitka is 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Fear not, as you will be kept warm with state-of-the-art 7mm wetsuits, gloves, hoods, and booties. Warm up after the excursion with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cookies.

While no prior snorkeling experience is required for this one-hour adventure, please review the tour requirements and frequently asked questions for more information.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation from downtown Sitka
  • All equipment including a full 7mm wetsuit, hood, boots, gloves, mask, fins, and snorkel
  • Full instruction and in-water supervision
  • Secure storage for all of your belongings
  • Drinking water, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and cookies

Requirements:

  • Minimum weight: 85 lbs
  • Maximum weight: 285 lbs
  • Minimum age: 8 years or older
  • Must be able to swim 4 laps without assistance
  • Must be able to walk .25 mile
  • Ability to walk on uneven rocks at the beach
  • Items to bring: towel, swimsuit, and an extra pair of socks to wear under the wetsuit. A plastic bag for wet swimsuits, dry undergarments, and a hairbrush is recommended.
  • Participants should be reasonably physically fit for this tour as the tour is rated strenuous. Past or present medical conditions may restrict participation. No prior heart conditions or health conditions that couple jeopardize yourself or other guests
  • The liability waiver must be signed by all participants.

Duration: 3 hours (Roundtrip from Harrigan Centennial Hall, downtown Sitka. )

  • 10-15 minutes - transportation from Centennial Hall downtown Sitka
  • 30 minutes - waiver signing and suiting up
  • 15 minutes - transportation to Magic Island
  • 60 minutes - snorkeling
  • 15 minutes - transportation back
  • 20 minutes - suiting down
  • 10 minutes - transportation back to Centennial Hall

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets at Harrigan Centennial Hall in downtown Sitka. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.

Refund Policy:

  • You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
  • Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, participants must be reasonably physically fit as this tour is strenuous. You snorkel off a rocky beach and the suggested age limit is 70 years old 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, participation would be denied for a variety of medical conditions. If you suffer from ANY form of heart condition (past or present) minor or major, you will be unable to snorkel on this excursion. 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. Major respiratory disorders link bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, exercise-induced asthma, etc. will also not be allowed participation. Any history of past or present seizures or fainting, you are unable to be taken snorkeling. Please accept our apologies as your safety is our number one priority. A liability waiver must be signed by each participant.

Guests must be 8 years of age or older. Guests must weigh a minimum of 85 lbs and the maximum weight allowance is 285 lbs.

Small bags may be brought with you and may be left in a secure location while snorkeling.

The average summer water temperature is 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface. Surface temperatures fluctuate between a low of 45 degrees in the spring and a high of 65 degrees in mid-summer. Your state-of-the-art 7mm wetsuits, gloves, hoods, and booties will keep you warm as the only part of your body exposed to the water is your lower face.

Wetsuits range from sizes 8-year-old child to XXXL mens. The staff does their best to accommodate all body sizes. Please reach out to our team if you have any concerns about wetsuits.

Wildlife is abundant in Southeast Alaska. Common sightings include Giant Pacific Octopi, colorful rockfish, kelp greenlings, sculpins, sea scallops, crabs, sand dollars, sea stars, anemones, needlefish, perch, tubeworms, nudibranchs, kelp snails, and abalone are just some of the animals to look out for. From shore or water, it is common to see bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and an occasional passing humpback whale.

Bring/wear a swimsuit to wear underneath your provided 7mm wetsuit (changing area available), a towel, and an extra pair of socks to wear under your wetsuit. A plastic bag for a wet swimsuit, a dry set of undergarments, and a hairbrush are also recommended.

Drinking water, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and cookies are provided.

Non-alcoholic beverages in a closeable container are allowed on tour. Items will be kept at the shop while snorkeling.

 

Guest Reviews

4.5

4 total

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Tracy B

On Sep 2024

Max was the most excellent guide, the weather was against us but he gave us the best experience despite that, his knowledge and skill were a big plus

Christina G

On Sep 2024

This was a really cool experience, no pun intended! However, we didn't see very much. We saw a lot of starfish, kelp and a dying salmon. I know you can't control wildlife. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, I would probably do it again just in a different location.

Michael F

On Aug 2024

Wonderful experience. They were very helpful and accommodating throughout the excursion. We saw eagles, sea lions, jellyfish, salmon and endless starfish. I would recommend this for anyone that wants to experience Alaska below the water. 5 stars for the excursion and company.

Abigail K

On Aug 2023

This tour was very enjoyable. The guides were helpful and knowledgeable. I would definitely do it again!!

$180.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$180.00

Duration: 3 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 3 hours



Person (8+): $180.00

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