Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Alaska

The top 5 dive and snorkel sites in Alaska, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Alaska guide

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dive shops
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5 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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1

Smitty's Cove

3.5(2 reviews)Alaska, USA West

This is a very convenient site due to it's close proximity to Anchorage. One of the local dive shops www.divealaska.net uses it for winter training. Visibility is up to 70 feet in the winter, but is reduced in the summer due to plankton bloom and run-off. Unlike the boat diving in Resurrection Bay, Smitty's cove is 60 miles inland and is usually very protected even in the winter storms. Take Seward highway south from Anchorage. As you follow turnagain arm up the valley for about an hour, you'll approach the Whittier turn-off. Turn left to Whittier and follow the road for about 7 miles. The road ends at a toll tunnel which is a one-lane road through the base of the mountain for approximately 3 miles. Toll fee is $12 round-trip. After exiting the tunnel, you follow the road for another 1/2 mile to the first right turn. Whittier is a very small town and as you drive through it several old abandoned buildings will be on either side. at the first left you follow the road until it dead-ends at the cove. Please stop and pay $5 at the sign directing you to do so. https://divealaska.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/smittycove.pdf

Shore entry
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2

Pat's Creek Log Dump

No reviews yetAlaska, USA West

This is still a working log loading area so make sure no work is going on before you dive. Numerous sunken logs, small boat wrecks and debris have created a great fish habitat. You will also find shrimp, crab, octopus and the occasional sea lion! -- M. Kurth Drive south on Zimovia Highway to about mile 11. There will be a sign letting you know to turn left to "Pat's Lake" DON'T turn left! You want to go right, down the hill and next to the water (can't miss it).

Shore entry
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3

Birch lake

No reviews yetUSA, Alaska

this lake has the clearest ice. in fact the world ice carving compatison is held in fairbanks, ak because of this lake. in mar 2010 we filmed trucks throw 4 feet of ice and could see the divers as well when we where line tending. there is a boat lunch to the east with a dock. but i only did ice dives. max deep 39ft. low vis (black water) some times. season 4 of "ICE ROAD TRUCKERS" under the ice filming was done here by myself and a team of divers from Fairbanks, AK.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
4

Mountain Point

No reviews yetUSA, Alaska

Mountain Point is Ketchikan's premier snorkeling destination. The site has shallow tide pools teaming with marine life and steep underwater rock walls for freediving all just 5 miles from town. Because we are on the Inside Passage there are no waves to worry about. ITS FREAKING COLD ! Ketchikan Alaska. Transportation is provided by the dive shop nearby.

BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
No photos yet
5

Whittier Cessna

No reviews yetUSA, Alaska

Sunken aircraft(cessna), Train from the 1964 earthquake. guide strings lead from boat ramp to specific areas. Arrive by train or plane

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
Numbers match the ranked list of Alaska dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Alaska

All 5
Dive Alaska
4.8 (41) · Anchorage
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Test The Waters Dive Center
4.8 (12) · North Pole
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Wind & Water Charters
4.3 (16) · Ketchikan
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Alaska diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Alaska for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 5 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

Are there dive shops in Alaska?

Zentacle lists 5 dive shops in Alaska. The top-rated are Dive Alaska (4.8 from 41 reviews) and Test The Waters Dive Center (4.8 from 12 reviews).