Things to do / Travel Guide
The Alaska Panhandle certainly is full of natural beauty. To take full advantage of this, visitors can dive in the waters around its numerous islands, mountains, and of its bays. While you are making your way to visit the many dive sites found in this region, you are more than likely to see sea birds, sea otters, and even sea lions, humpback whales, and orcas (a.k.a. killer whales).
Not to be outdone, the underwater sites are just as spectacular. Giant sea anemones can reach three feet high. There are also five-foot-long wolf eels, large sunflower stars, and octopuses. Other smaller creatures include brittle stars, nudibranchs, shrimp, moon and lion's mane jellyfish, decorator crabs, feather stars, and sea pens. There are also several varieties of kelp greenlings, rockfish, sculpins, and salmon in the waters of the Alaska Panhandle.
While there are some who brave the elements and dive during winter, it requires very specialized training and equipment. You probably have to be pretty daring, too! The summer, on the other hand, is an excellent time to ply the deep clear waters found in these parts. With extended daylight, it gives divers extra tank time to explore, and surprisingly-warm pockets of water make it a comfortable experience.
Here are some of the region's best diving spots, where anyone from a new and inexperienced diver to a seasoned pro will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Panhandle's waters:
- Douglas Island - spectacular marine life (60-135 foot depth)
- Barlow Cove - orcas, sea lions, and other sea life (20-45 foot depth)
- Point Hilda - giant crab beds and tube worms (25-50 foot depth)
- Benjamin Island - sea lion colony and other marine life (30-120 foot depth)
- Vanderbilt Reef - abundant marine life, reefs (40-140 foot depth)
Diving equipment, lessons, diver certification, and tours can be purchased from the Channel Dive Shop in Juneau.
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