Snorkeling in Sitka Sound: Guided adventure with gear

Gear, guide and three hours in the water hunting for octopus and anemones

Snorkel Sitka Sound on a guided adventure that includes a 7mm wetsuit, hood, gloves, booties and all gear; transportation to one of two dive sites; and a live guide in English who swims with you and helps identify wildlife. The entry is a walk-in over rocks, and you'll spend 40–60 minutes in the water. Best for travelers who are strong swimmers, have some snorkeling experience, and can manage a quarter-mile walk over a rocky shore.

The experience

You arrive in Sitka with a free afternoon or a port window, and you want to get underwater without spending the day arranging it yourself. Selkie Snorkels handles the transport, the gear and the guide. You show up, get outfitted in a 7mm semi-dry suit with hood, gloves and booties, and ride the Snorkelmobile to one of two established dive sites in Sitka Sound. The whole operation takes three hours from start to finish.

Entry is a walk-in over a rocky shore, which means you wade in rather than jump from a boat, but it also means you need to manage that quarter-mile approach and be steady on uneven ground. Once you're in the water, the guide stays with you the entire time, using a foamy surfboard as a rest point if you need one and pointing out the creatures as they appear: octopus, rockfish, sea stars, anemones, abalone. You'll spend 40–60 minutes underwater depending on conditions and how the group is moving. After you climb back out, you dry off and get dropped downtown or back to your ship, timed so cruise passengers don't miss their departure.

The gear is the real difference here. A 7mm wetsuit keeps you warm in Alaska's water. The hood, gloves and booties are included so you're not renting them separately or showing up underprepared. Mask, snorkel and flippers round out the kit. Guides help you get into the suit before you leave, it's not a solo puzzle, and they stay in the water with you the whole time, which matters if you're rusty or if something feels off. Coffee or tea is waiting when you get back.

What’s included

• Private transportation to the dive site.
• a complete gear kit with 7mm wetsuit, hood, gloves, booties, mask, snorkel and flippers.
• a live guide in English who stays with you in the water and points out wildlife.
• coffee and tea after you return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (8 to 70 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Demanding physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Selkie Snorkels Sitka

Is this one for you?The rocky walk-in and 40–60 minutes in the water ask for strong swimming skills and some snorkeling experience, which is what makes a guided dive possible without a boat entry. You're in the water fast, with a guide who knows the site and stays with you the whole time.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of sea creatures will I actually see snorkeling in Sitka Sound?

Octopus, rockfish, sea stars, anemones and abalone are common in Sitka Sound, and your guide will point them out as you swim. What you see depends on the day and the dive site, but the guides know where to look and stay with you to help spot wildlife.

Do I need snorkeling experience to book this, or can I learn as I go?

You should have some snorkeling experience and be a strong swimmer. The guide will be with you the whole time and can help, but this isn't a learn-to-snorkel class. It's an adventure for people who already know how to use the gear and move in the water.

How do I get into a 7mm wetsuit, and will the guides help?

The guides assist all guests with getting into the semi-dry suit before you leave for the dive site. You don't have to figure it out alone. They'll make sure everyone is properly outfitted and ready to go.

What happens if I'm on a cruise ship and worried about missing my departure?

Selkie Snorkels works with cruise passengers to time the return so you don't miss your ship. Let them know your departure time when you book, and they'll plan the schedule around it.

Is the walk to the water really difficult, or can most people manage it?

The entry is a quarter-mile walk over a rocky shore, not a trail, but uneven ground that requires steady footing. Both dive sites have relatively easy walk-in entry, but you need to be able to navigate rocks and be comfortable with that kind of approach.