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(Photo By National Park Service)
The Land of the Midnight Sun occupies the northwest corner of the North American continent. With calving glaciers, vast mountain ranges that seem to rise straight up from the ocean, emerald islands, and an abundance of marine life, it is a completely different kind of wonderland – and a place where scuba diving is becoming more popular.
The best time to visit Alaska is from late spring until early autumn from the end of May through the beginning of October, depending on the weather. As this is a very popular destination during the warmer months, it is advisable to make hotel reservations well in advance of your actual travel dates.
To the east of Alaska lies Canada’s Yukon Territory; British Columbia borders it to the South and southeast. To the north is the Arctic Ocean, to the south and west lie the Pacific Ocean. The Bering Strait and Bering Sea extend further west, and the Bering Islands curve upward reaching toward Asia from the southern portion of Bristol Bay.
The largest state in the United States and the least densely populated of all, Alaska is largely uninhabited, partly because its position along the Arctic Circle ensures that its weather remains brisk, if not downright unhospitable, for much of the year. About half of the state’s residents live near the Anchorage metropolitan area.
Alaska has been inhabited for thousands of years. Many descendants of the indigenous people who first colonized the state live there to this day. During the 18th century, European explorers focused on the vast territory. In 1867 the United States purchased the territory from Russia for just two cents per acre or $7.2 million, which equates to about $120 million in today’s economy. Alaska gained recognition as a U.S. territory on May 11th of 1912, and was admitted as the 49th state in the union on January 3rd of 1959.
Alaska’s economy was once dominated by gold and fur; mining is still an important part of the Alaskan economy. Oil and natural gas are important to the state’s economy, as is fishing. Today, tourism is a rapidly growing part of Alaska’s economy, and preserving natural spaces is viewed as a priority.
American citizens traveling to Alaska by air do not need passports as long as the flight won’t be stopping in Canada. If you’re an American driving to Alaska, you will need a passport to drive through Canada. Americans visiting via cruise ship will need to carry passports since most Alaska-bound cruises either stop in or originate in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Visitors from Canada and other countries must also possess passports to visit Alaska, regardless of how they are getting there. Those from Australia, England, and other EU member nations must also have return tickets in possession. Canadians do not need return tickets to travel to and from Alaska.
Citizens of many nations must apply for travel visas to visit any part of the United States, including Alaska. Since immigration policies change frequently and without prior notice, all travelers are advised to verify the current requirements for visiting Alaska with US authorities prior to leaving home. For more information and updates regarding US immigration policies and procedures, be sure to visit the nation’s tourism page. Plan to pay all departure taxes on all domestic and international flights.
Alaska’s customs regulations are quite strict, and several items are prohibited. These include:
Some items are restricted, and all items brought into the US, including Alaska, are subject to inspection. These include:
Live animals – Must have health certificate to import. Proof of rabies vaccination must accompany all pets.
Birds – A health certificate must be issued immediately prior to shipment and must state that the bird has been found free of ornithosis or psittacosis. Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for details.
Seafood – Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for details.
Medication – Must be labeled and is preferred to be in original packaging. Quantity should not be more than required for the duration of your visit. It is strongly advised that you bring a prescription or a written note from your physician along with medication.
Arms and ammunition - In order to import firearms, ammunition and/or implements of war into the US, you must have an approved ATF Form 6-Part I. The ATF Form 6 should be submitted approximately 60 days prior to the intended importation. This applies to non-US citizens only. Contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives for more information.
Failure to declare items or fill out paperwork correctly can result in fines. For more information regarding the customs requirements of Alaska and the United States of America, please visit the nation’s customs page or call the US Customs department at 877-227-5511.
There are no vaccine requirements for visitors to the United States, however it is advisable to prevent illness by keeping your routine vaccines are up to date. These vaccines include:
All travelers are advised to check with their doctors to determine if there are any additional vaccines which may help protect health while traveling to Alaska.
Tap water is considered to be safe to drink in developed areas, and water in less-developed parts of Alaska normally comes from wells and is considered safe. Drink bottled water if in doubt, or filter, boil, or disinfect stream, river, or lake water before drinking it or using it to wash fresh produce.
Alaska’s cities and towns are home to many health care facilities; even small communities normally have small clinics and family doctors. As most scuba diving is conducted near populated areas, getting medical aid in an emergency should not prove problematic.
United States laws prevent emergency rooms from refusing care to anyone. While travel medical insurance is recommended, most common health insurance plans are accepted by most medical facilities in Alaska. In the event you do not have proper insurance, you will be billed for medical care if it is needed.
It is recommended that all tourists purchase a travel insurance policy that will cover theft, loss, accidents, and medical emergencies. If you plan to participate in adventure sports while on vacation, please verify that your policy will cover you for these events. All necessary prescriptions along with a letter from your physician detailing your medical condition and the medication being carried with you should accompany all visitors to Alaska.
Anchorage is served by most major airlines, as is Fairbanks. Wrangell, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Petersburg are served by daily flights, mostly through Alaska Airlines with most flights originating in Seattle and landing in Anchorage before connections are made. An extensive network of local and regional air services connect smaller communities such as Kodiak with Alaska’s four largest cities – Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Travelers should consider the length of the flight, mandatory stopovers, and price when selecting an airline carrier.
If you’d like to drive to Alaska, you can do so by taking the famous Alaskan-Canadian highway, which is popularly referred to as the AlCan. Originating at the junction of several highways located in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, it runs a distance of 1,387 miles to Delta Junction, Alaska. Constructed in 1942, this highway was only recently paved over its entire length. It is advisable to carry spare tires, extra gasoline, and other emergency supplies if you travel this route, as communities and gas stations are few and far between. Expect to see herds of caribou, bears, mountain goats, and other wildlife along the way.
One of the best ways to travel to Alaska is by sea. Cruises are very popular, and it’s not at all uncommon for travelers to witness pods of orcas, groups of bow-riding porpoises, enormous bald eagles, and many other creatures along the way. There are a number of cruise lines offering trips up the Inside Passage, with departure from Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco in most cases.
The Alaska Marine Highway System offers a car ferry from Bellingham, Washington to Haines; this service is popular and fills up fast so be sure to plan in advance if you’d like to take advantage of it. While it’s not necessary to have your own car while visiting Alaska, you’ll find that having access to a vehicle is convenient.
Domestic air travel is abundant in Alaska, with most communities offering daily flights on small propeller-driven passenger planes. Private pilots are also available, offering trips to backcountry destinations, small offshore islands, and other locations not served by commercial flights. Helicopters, single engine aircraft, and seaplanes are all common modes of transportation.
Taxis are available in larger communities, and there are numerous bus and shuttle services available, depending on your destination. Most bus and shuttle services also offer tours. Rental cars from major companies are available; if you’d like to rent a car, check rates and policies well in advance so you can reserve the vehicle that suits your needs best. Car rental kiosks are available at airports, and rental offices can also be found in large communities.
Alaska’s roads and highways are typically well-maintained, and in some cases, you can drive from one place to another. As communities are few and far between, most Alaskans prefer to take advantage of the Alaska Marine Highway, which offers car ferries on a regular schedule, to and from many destinations. Ferries fill up fast, so be sure to arrive well before departure time to ensure that you and your vehicle are able to cross. Secure parking lots are available at ferry terminals, so you can simply go as a passenger if you don’t want to bring your car with you.
Alaska offers a vast array of accommodations, from rustic wilderness lodges to luxury hotels with complete spa service. Beautiful bed and breakfast style inns are common, as are small “mom and pop” motels that are usually basic but comfortable. As scuba diving season in Alaska coincides with tourist season and fishing season, it is very important to research accommodations in advance and make reservations.
Alaska’s attractions are many, and the majority of them are centered on the state’s vast wealth of natural resources. Glacier Bay National Park is an excellent place for a day cruise, as are the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound. Seals and sea lions, orcas, whales, sea otters, puffins, and bears are just a few of the creatures commonly seen from the decks of the well-maintained boats, which are staffed by naturalists who are more than happy to answer questions.
If Alaska’s history intrigues you, consider taking a trip back in time and step aboard a sternwheeler riverboat for a trip into the state’s interior. Along the way, you’ll be able to tour Alaska Native villages, interact with iconic Iditarod mushers, and view wildlife in varied abundance.
In the event inclement weather strikes, you can always spend some time touring one of the many museums and art galleries, which showcase a wide range of Russian iconography, vibrant Native Alaskan artwork, traditional crafts, and contemporary works of art. Art festivals, heritage days, and other outdoor events are commonly held throughout the summer, with food, beverages, and live entertainment.
Life in Alaska is relaxed and causal, with activities such as camping, fishing, and horseback riding taking center stage in many areas. Kayaking in Prince William Sound, hiking through verdant forests, and exploring tidepools are just a few fun activities to round out your vacation.
Catch a play or listen to Native music while dancers put on a stunning performance, or spend some time shopping in the lovely stores which are prevalent in Alaska’s cities and towns. Take a flight or drive out to see Mount McKinley, also known as Denali; this is the highest mountain in North America, and is third highest peak on the planet.
Alaskan cuisine is some of the best in America. Seafood including King and Dungeness crab takes center stage at many meals, as does fresh halibut, salmon, and cod. Local meats including caribou and venison are also available, and sourdough bread and pancakes are ubiquitous at most establishments.
Most restaurants are quite casual, serving up an astonishing array of fairly plain but delicious fare alongside local beers; meals here will fill you up and fuel your adventures. Dress is typically casual.
During the summer, much of Alaska’s nightlife moves outdoors, into the midnight sun. Breweries, outdoor bars, and clubs offering a wide range of live entertainment make it easy to stay up into the wee hours. Comedy shows, orchestral performances, and other diversions are available in cities, while smaller communities offer local bars with karaoke and the occasional band.
If you visit Alaska at the height of summer, do stay up and have fun under the seemingly endless sunset. Blackout curtains or a mask for your eyes will help you get to sleep once you’re ready.
Alaska offers plenty of shopping, with such delicacies as fireweed honey and homemade chocolates filled with huckleberries topping the list of must-haves. Native Alaskan artwork can be found at many venues, and clothing, hand-tied fishing flies, and original photographs make excellent mementos of your stay.
Scuba diving in Alaska is like nothing else – the state offers some of the best cold-water dives anywhere in the world. Though there are only a few dive operators, they are all extremely well-equipped, and all have favorite secret dive spots where visitors are treated to encounters with such creatures as wolf eels, sea lions, and salmon. Most of the diving takes place along rocky island shores, where marine life is abundant. Some inland lakes are also suitable for diving, and ice diving may be available. Alaska’s dive sites are suitable for all certified divers, from novice to expert, and at some sites, snorkeling is available.
Air temperatures here average 17C /62F during the summer months, with some days being hotter or cooler than most. Water temperature averages 11C/ 51F during the summer, with slight variations depending on where you are diving. A drysuit is a must, as are hoods, gloves, and other cold-water gear. If you are not a certified drysuit diver, you can obtain certification through one of Alaska’s dive operators while on holiday.
Although you are likely to encounter various marine life from one dive to the next, some of the most common animals include invertebrates such as colorful sea stars, big, beautiful anemones, tunicates, ascidians, and sponges, vibrant encrusting algae, and tons of sessile creatures such as sea pens and tubeworms. Rockfish, greenlins, loads of nudibranchs, and intriguing rock cod are common, as are stellar sea lions and grimacing wolf eels.
Although there aren’t many named dive sites in Alaska, there are plenty of spots where you’ll be able to stop and just hop into the water. Visibility averages 10 to 20 meters during the summer and increases to nearly 30 meters in spring and autum. Depth is generally shallow, with maximum depth at about 20 meters depending on the areas you visit. Currents are variable and can be challenging, and surge is greatly dependent on weather, sometimes nearly non-existent, and sometimes powerful.
Cold is the greatest danger associated with diving in Alaska, and boat traffic is another danger. Dive flags are required in areas with heavy boat traffic and are strongly recommended in other areas, particularly close to shore. Be on the lookout for entanglement hazards such as ghost nets and lost fishing filament with sharp hooks, as well.
Alaska has just a few named dive sites, but as the popularity of scuba diving increases here, the number of named dive sites is also likely to increase. Some of the most popular Alaskan dive sites include the following:
Smitty’s Cove – Smitty’s Cove is an interesting marine park near Whittier, with an artificial reef comprised of debris left over from the Second World War. This shore dive features entry from a concrete boat ramp. An abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the shallows here, and the artifacts which include a tanker, a crane, and an aircraft, are fun to see. Local ordinances require divers to display flags.
Mission Beach – One of the most popular shore dives in the Kodiak area, Mission Beach features a gradual slope with an abundance of rocks harboring decorator crabs and octopus, abandoned crab traps covered in anemones, and more. Watch for sand dollars here and at other dive sites around Alaska.
Sealife Center – Seward’s Sealife Center is an excellent place to dive, with sea lions, octopuses, and other animals in abundance being found along the edge of an old warehouse that was washed into the sea following the 1964 earthquake and tsunami.
Auke Rec Dive Park – Juneau’s Auke Rec Dive Park features a few wrecks connected by permanent lines. This is a fun site with maximum depth at just over 20 meters, and plenty of crabs and other critters to see. It’s a favorite with locals and tends to be busy on weekends.
Resurrection Bay – Resurrection bay has some of the best diving Alaska has to offer. Sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, nudibranchs, and other marine life can be encountered here. While other areas offer shore diving and boat diving, Resurrection Bay features mostly boat dives, with various dive operators offering trips to their favorite secret spots.
All divers are required to carry certification cards, and Alaska’s dive operators normally require checkout dives. Be sure to bring your c-card and your log book with you. Alaska’s dive operators do offer PADI courses, so if a friend or family member wants to learn to dive while visiting the state, arrangements may be made. If you want to take a specialty course, you can do so while on vacation in Alaska. Rental equipment is usually available – just be sure to check with your dive operator to see what you need to bring with you, if anything, and what you can rent once you get there.
Alaska has recompression chambers located in Anchorage, Juneau, and Wasilla. Divers are advised to discuss, finalize, and agree upon an emergency assistance plan, which includes obtaining all local medical emergency contact numbers, prior to beginning any dive. When a diving emergency arises, divers are strongly urged to follow any agreed upon Emergency Assistance Plan.
Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline, 365.5 million acres of land, and 28.8 million acres of fresh water streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. About 88 percent of these resources are publicly owned, and of that, much has been set aside for the express purpose of protecting vital habitats for fish and marine life, as well as for other wildlife. While some protected areas are closed to activity, many are open for recreation. Fishing and hunting are allowed on a limited basis in some areas, and Alaska’s department of Fish and Game is extremely vigilant in ensuring that ordinances are adhered to. If you hope to dive in a game refuge, critical habitat area, or wildlife sanctuary, check to see whether you need to obtain a special area permit before commencing.