Scuba Diving in Alaska: Dive Into the Final Frontier
July 21, 2025
If you are an adventurous diver seeking something truly unique, scuba diving in Alaska offers an experience unlike any other. Beneath its icy surface lies a spectacular underwater world of thriving marine life, colorful invertebrates, historic wrecks, and otherworldly geological formations – all set in some of the coldest but most captivating dive conditions on the planet.
In this guide, we dive into what makes Alaska such a special place to explore underwater, the best times to go, what you will need, and the top areas to explore.
What Makes Scuba Diving in Alaska So Unique?
Scuba diving in Alaska is unlike anything else on Earth. It is a destination for divers who crave raw, wild beauty and seek out the kind of adventures that are not neatly packaged or predictable.
Alongside Alaska’s dramatic coastlines and glacial fjords lies an underwater world filled with vibrant marine life and an extraordinary range of dive environments. From exploring volcanic rock formations and historic shipwrecks to encountering sea lions and colorful nudibranchs, the diversity of Alaska’s underwater life is astounding.
The water is cold, yes – but it is teeming with life. And while you will not find tropical reefs or bath-warm seas, you will find something rarer: an untouched, thriving marine wilderness with a sense of exploration that few destinations can offer.
Where to Dive: Alaska’s Most Breathtaking Underwater Spots
Alaska is vast, and so is its underwater potential. While diving is not the first thing most people associate with the state, it is home to some of the most spectacular cold-water sites in the world.
Alaska’s coastlines, bays, and fjords offer a wide range of dive environments – each with its own unique character. From remote archipelagos to accessible town-based dives, these are the top places to go scuba diving in Alaska.
1. Resurrection Bay
Resurrection Bay is one of Alaska’s most popular dive destinations – and for good reason. Located just a few hours from Anchorage, the bay is surrounded by dramatic glacial scenery and offers a mix of dive landscapes.
Divers can explore steep walls, kelp forests, an ex-Navy barge, and rocky slopes covered in colorful anemones and sponges. The area is home to wolf eels, rockfish, greenling, and the occasional octopus or sea lion.
Local dive operators in Seward offer guided dives and dry suit rentals, making this an accessible and rewarding place for divers to explore.
2. Ketchikan
In the heart of Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan combines marine biodiversity with cultural charm. The surrounding waters are full of life – nudibranchs, jellyfish, shrimp, sea stars, and more thrive among the rocky reefs and pier pilings.
One standout feature here is the nearby Mountain Point, a shore dive surrounded by fjords. An underwater wall drops away to reveal abundant marine life, including lingcod, sea lions, nudibranchs, wolf eels – and if you are lucky – orcas and humpback whales. With good diving options and calm conditions, this is a great place for snorkelers and divers alike.
3. Sitka Sound
Sitka is home to some of the greatest variety of wildlife in all of Southeast Alaska, with Sitka Sound offering a magical blend of wildlife encounters and scenic underwater terrain. You will find rocky coastlines with easy shore entries, kelp forests, colorful invertebrates, anemones, and abundant fish life.
Sitka Sound is a great place to spot sea otters, and it is not uncommon to hear whales calling in the distance. While conditions can vary at Sitka Sound, many areas are relatively sheltered.
4. Prince William Sound
Located east of Anchorage, Prince William Sound is one of the most diverse and protected dive areas in the state. The fjords and sheltered bays offer shore diving, wall diving, rocky landscapes, WWII wreckage, and NOAA reef installations.
The marine life here is rich and varied, with huge plumose anemones, jellyfish, sea stars, Giant Pacific octopus, and sea otters. Some divers have reported close encounters with curious harbor seals.
During the summer months, icebergs calve into the Sound, creating surreal scenes both above and below the surface. With its ease of access and relatively mellow dive profiles, this area is a favorite for many visiting divers.
5. Juneau
As Alaska’s capital, Juneau provides the rare combination of city comforts and accessible diving. Several excellent shore dive sites lie within easy reach of town, and local operators offer boat trips to deeper or more remote locations.
The underwater topography includes kelp forests, walls, and rocky slopes teeming with invertebrates and fish. Visibility can vary with the tides, but late spring and early summer often deliver the clearest conditions.
Juneau is a great choice for divers looking to get a feel for Alaska without venturing too far off the grid. With dive shops nearby and plenty to do topside, it is also a solid destination for dive travelers with non-diving companions.
Discover Alaska’s Incredible Marine Life
The marine biodiversity in Alaska is surprising and rich. While scuba diving in Alaska, you may encounter:
- Giant Pacific octopuses
- Wolf eels and lingcod
- Plumose anemones, sea cucumbers, and sponges
- Kelp forests teeming with life
- Nudibranchs, and crabs
- Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and sea otters
- On rare occasions—whales or orcas
The colors may surprise you, too. Cold-water reefs in Alaska can be just as vibrant as tropical ones, with reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.
Best Time to Go Scuba Diving in Alaska
Alaska is a year-round diving destination, but the conditions vary significantly by season - and so do the experiences.
Summer (July to August) is considered the prime season for recreational scuba diving in Alaska. Water temperatures are at their warmest, ranging from 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F), and conditions tend to be calmer with longer daylight hours. Marine life is at its most active, and visibility is generally good.
Spring (April to June) offers good visibility, especially before algae blooms start in the summer. While the water is colder than in peak summer, this season is great for divers looking for photographic opportunities.
Autumn (September to October) can also be rewarding. The kelp forests are at their fullest, and fewer tourists mean quieter sites. However, the weather becomes less predictable, and boat charters may be more limited.
Winter (November to March) is the realm of advanced and technical divers. With sea temperatures dropping as low as 0°C (32°F), ice diving becomes possible in some areas. Visibility is excellent, and the underwater scenery takes on a dramatic, almost surreal quality.
What Experience Level Do You Need?
Scuba diving in Alaska is best suited for advanced or experienced divers, particularly those who:
- Are comfortable diving in cold water
- Have excellent buoyancy control
- Are experienced in dry suit diving
- Have done boat entries, shore diving, or drift dives
That said, less experienced divers can still enjoy Alaska —especially in summer—by joining guided dives in sheltered locations. However, a few extra training steps will make the experience much safer and more enjoyable.
Helpful Courses for Diving in Alaska
If you are going scuba diving in Alaska, consider these SSI courses to get the most out of your trip:
A Dry Suit Diving certification is often essential for scuba diving in Alaska You will learn how to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit, manage buoyancy, and respond to emergencies.
With thick gloves, more lead weight, and potentially challenging conditions, buoyancy control becomes more challenging in Alaska. The Perfect Buoyancy course helps you adjust, so you can dive with confidence and skill.
- Waves, Tides and Currents
If you plan on shore diving in Alaska, the Waves, Tides and Currents specialty is an ideal choice. It will enhance your dive skills and understanding, so you can explore from the shore with ease.
Travel Tips for Diving the Alaskan Wilderness
Alaska is big and the weather can be unpredictable. Getting to dive sites can take time and there are more logistics involved in cold-water diving. You will also likely need to rent a car to get around. So, wherever you choose to go scuba diving in Alaska, be patient and flexible with your dive and travel plans.
Getting There: Major diving access points include Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Planes and ferries connect many remote areas.
- Dive Operators: Book with experienced local dive centers like Dive Alaska and Test the Waters for guided dives and gear rental for cold conditions.
- Gear: If you are not used to cold-water gear, talk to a local dive center. You will need a dry suit, a thick hood and gloves, and a regulator suited for cold water.
- Insurance: Make sure you have travel and dive insurance that covers cold-water diving and potential delays in remote areas.
- Acclimate: Give yourself a day or two to adjust to the climate and environment before diving.
Is Scuba Diving in Alaska Right for You?
If you are willing to embrace the cold, scuba diving in Alaska rewards you with unforgettable dives and a sense of wilderness that few dive destinations can offer. It is the kind of diving that challenges and transforms you – deepening not just your skills but your appreciation for the natural world.
Whether you are looking for new adventures or remote dive sites, Alaska offers something extraordinary.
Ready to explore the last frontier?
Find your local SSI Training Center and prepare for your Alaskan dive journey today.