Ketchikan Snorkeling Reviews or Tips

[AngelDisney]

Last night I received an email from DCL informing us that our Skagway Dogsledding tour had been cancelled. Trying to rebook all my excursions in order to do dogsledding in Juneau. Dogsledding is what I really want to do and I have been saving that for Alaska (we can do that in Ontario). I was trying to book the Bear excursion in Ketchikan which has good reviews but it did not have enough space to accommodate two more people (I guess probably it has only one space left). I was considering the Ketchikan snorkeling excursion before but decided to do ziplining instead. Now I have switched ziplining for Skagway and booked dogledding for Juneau. The only interesting thing I would like to do in Ketchikan is snorkelling. Has anyone been on the snorkeling excursion? Any reviews or tips would be extremely helpful to my last minute prep for the cruise. I am leaving next Tuesday and will be sailing on August 24. Thanks in advance!

 

[Quellman]

I looked it up on trip advisor and the pictures people posted were pretty nifty, but perhaps not so eco-friendly if that bothers you. Looks like you get to snorkey some cool areas, there were photos of jelly Fish, regular fish, sea stars, and other sea critters. The eco-friednly portion is that there are pictures of folks holding sea stars etc with gloved hands out of the water. I'm not smart enough to know if it damages the environment or stresses the critters in a detrimental way. But I did want to point that out. It also looks like they use wet suits instead of dry suits. The water will be cold so you will certainly feel it around your face and mouth which is exposed.

Other than that, I can see it being a pretty neat excursion, one that not many people can say they have done. Hope to hear about it when you get back. Happy cruising!

 

[AngelDisney]

I looked it up on trip advisor and the pictures people posted were pretty nifty, but perhaps not so eco-friendly if that bothers you. Looks like you get to snorkey some cool areas, there were photos of jelly Fish, regular fish, sea stars, and other sea critters. The eco-friednly portion is that there are pictures of folks holding sea stars etc with gloved hands out of the water. I'm not smart enough to know if it damages the environment or stresses the critters in a detrimental way. But I did want to point that out. It also looks like they use wet suits instead of dry suits. The water will be cold so you will certainly feel it around your face and mouth which is exposed.

Other than that, I can see it being a pretty neat excursion, one that not many people can say they have done. Hope to hear about it when you get back. Happy cruising!

Thanks for the tips! I am also wondering about handling the sea creatures part, but my daughter told me they did the same thing in Ecuador as well on an eco tour. Maybe some creatures are ok with human handling. I remember the Seaworld in San Diego has pools of sea urchins and starfish for people to handle and touch. But they must be returned to their original locations. Probably it is ok as long as the sea creatures are being returned to their original habitats.

I have read over some tripadvisors reviews but without much detailed info regarding the whole process. Dis'ers always do a better job in reporting their experiences with tips. Now all I have gathered is:
- wear swimsuits underneath clothing for easier change
- bring towels for use afterwards (they provide warm showers at the end of the tour)
- bring underwater camera (I do have one handy)
- it's a strenuous activity (swimming in thick wet suit for an hour)

DD18 has asthma and is not a strong swimmer though she is active with land sports. Chlorine in swimming pool is an asthma trigger for her. She used to be a very good swimmer at 7 before she had pneumonia (causing her asthma). I am wondering whether this excursion is ok for her since some reviews state it is hard to swim and breathe with the wet suit. This is my main concern because safety and health are always my top priorities! Hope someone can provide some insights about this issue. Thanks in advance again!!

 

[touchstone74]

I will check with my brother and his wife... they did this excursion last week and loved it! They did see an eel and I know they took some Go Pro footage. I will report back with what I find!

 

[touchstone74]

Here is his response:


If her asthma will act up from physical compression (i.e. weight or force being applied) it's probably not a good idea as the wet suits are a little tight (they have to be to keep you warm), otherwise she should be fine (so long as breathing through a snorkel isn't an issue.) I don't remember laboring to breathe or anything though. There was a mild current, but nothing that was hard to work against. I don't remember breathing hard at all during the snorkel (except after doing a few surface dives which aren't anything she would have to do.) We had four guides with us keeping us safe throughout the trip, each of which had a rescue tube of their own and one of which brought extras in case anyone wanted/needed the additional flotation to feel comfortable (one lady asked for one upon entering the water and used it for the hour or so we were in the water.)

Hope this helps!

 

[AngelDisney]

Here is his response:


If her asthma will act up from physical compression (i.e. weight or force being applied) it's probably not a good idea as the wet suits are a little tight (they have to be to keep you warm), otherwise she should be fine (so long as breathing through a snorkel isn't an issue.) I don't remember laboring to breathe or anything though. There was a mild current, but nothing that was hard to work against. I don't remember breathing hard at all during the snorkel (except after doing a few surface dives which aren't anything she would have to do.) We had four guides with us keeping us safe throughout the trip, each of which had a rescue tube of their own and one of which brought extras in case anyone wanted/needed the additional flotation to feel comfortable (one lady asked for one upon entering the water and used it for the hour or so we were in the water.)

Hope this helps!

This is extremely helpful!

 

[Aby]

My hubby and I snorkeled in Ketchikan through DCL and we loved it! It was a very unique experience and I thought the guides were very respectful to the creatures and the environment. We snorkeled for about an hour, and I didn't start getting cold until the last 15 minutes thanks to the great wetsuits. Since the excursion was fairly short - I believe about 2-2.5 hours total - we had lots of time to explore the port as well.

Hope this helps!

Aby

 

[erk711]

Did this with DD last week of August 2013. We loved it. Definitely wear your bathing suit and bring towels. An underwater camera is great but I would avoid the cheap disposable ones. I didn't find it very strenuous as we stopped at several spots to see the animals, and we all had pfds.

However...my DD is all skin and bones and although she was provided an extra vest to wear under her suit she got quite cold. I didn't feel it too much (with my extra layer of fat ) but definitely did start to feel it closer to the end. They bring big buckets of warm water to rinse off with when you first get out of the water. Then you bus back to the office and get your warm shower. After her shower, DD bought a cute hoody at their little store which made her happy.

I was also impressed that they had some prescription masks available! This was a big plus for me!!

Is DCL still using Snorkel Alaska? If so, check out their website as they have good info on what to expect. You could also probably contact them directly about your concerns regarding the asthma.

We were impressed with the staff and organization. Plus, how many can say the snorkels in Alaska! Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy when I tell them!!

 

[AngelDisney]

My hubby and I snorkeled in Ketchikan through DCL and we loved it! It was a very unique experience and I thought the guides were very respectful to the creatures and the environment. We snorkeled for about an hour, and I didn't start getting cold until the last 15 minutes thanks to the great wetsuits. Since the excursion was fairly short - I believe about 2-2.5 hours total - we had lots of time to explore the port as well.

Hope this helps!

Aby

Thanks for sharing your experience! It brings in more insights!

Did this with DD last week of August 2013. We loved it. Definitely wear your bathing suit and bring towels. An underwater camera is great but I would avoid the cheap disposable ones. I didn't find it very strenuous as we stopped at several spots to see the animals, and we all had pfds.

However...my DD is all skin and bones and although she was provided an extra vest to wear under her suit she got quite cold. I didn't feel it too much (with my extra layer of fat ) but definitely did start to feel it closer to the end. They bring big buckets of warm water to rinse off with when you first get out of the water. Then you bus back to the office and get your warm shower. After her shower, DD bought a cute hoody at their little store which made her happy.

I was also impressed that they had some prescription masks available! This was a big plus for me!!

Is DCL still using Snorkel Alaska? If so, check out their website as they have good info on what to expect. You could also probably contact them directly about your concerns regarding the asthma.

We were impressed with the staff and organization. Plus, how many can say the snorkels in Alaska! Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy when I tell them!!

DD and I do have an extra layer of fat! Lol!! Guess we would be fine to hold up till the end!! I have a Pentax waterproof camera which is not the greatest but should be better than the disposable ones. Thanks for the tip about calling Snorkel Alaska. I think DCL is still doing the excursion with them and I may call to ask more questions.

Thanks for everyone's invaluable insights and tips. I went to MEC yesterday and bought the 2TOMS Sportshield for putting on the wetsuit. I think I am all set for the excursion and can't wait to see the sea creatures in Alaska.