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When most people think of Alaska they picture cruise ships, beautiful nature, glaciers, bears and snow covered mountains. I decided to go in stark contrast to this. I was given the opportunity to go dry suit snorkelling in the town of Sitka.

We met our guide on the pier in Sitka, where we were given the basic explanations about the tour, he even gave us high expectations by telling us that the morning group had seen both orcas and sea lions. We then went to this stereotypical ‘dive van’ and drove to their office to get fitted into our dry suits. On the way the guide pointed out various fun facts about Sitka, such as the fact that most families have at least 2 cars as they do not want to pay the ferry cost to get their old cars off the island.

Sitka - Mystery Island at low tide

Sitka – Mystery Island at low tide

Ay the office, we were given a safety briefing on the dry suits, which basically was that the dry suits are made to keep you floating so do not attempt to free dive as this will increase the risk of the suit filling with water and pulling you under the surface. We were each handed a full fleece onesize to keep us warm in the suits. The guides used our shoe size as a guide for the dry suits themselves and helped us all get into them. As to not overheat in the suits we kept the top part of them off until we got down to the water. We were also handed gloves, a hood, fins, mask and snorkel.

I look like something out of Star Trek

I look like something out of Star Trek

Once by the water we did a final briefing before we were all told to put on the top part of the suits, there was a bit of laughter as people managed to get their heads through the suit – it was sort of a mission. Once we were properly zipped in we were told to pull the collar away from our necks and crouch down, then to release the collar and stand up again. This emptied the air from the suits, and almost created a vacuum effect, it was really cool! After putting on all the other things except the fins we headed into the water. We were told to lay down on our backs and the guides put our fins on for us, and then we were sent off in more or less the same direction.

Ready to get in the water

Ready to get in the water

When I rolled over on my stomach I expected to get a cold shock from the water. My lips lost feeling for a little while, but I got used to it and was nice and warm in my suit. If I moved my head too much to the side I could feel cold water trickle into the hood, but it warmed up fast enough. Then I got so distracted by all the beauty of the underwater world that I completely forgot that I was swimming in 7C / 45 F water.

Everyone exploring their own piece of the beach

Everyone exploring their own piece of the beach

In the shallows there was mainly sea grass with various shells and some fish. A bit further out we started seeing kelp, and at one point we were completely surrounded by it. The only way not to get stuck was to push the kelp down as you swam over it. There was so much marine life living in the kelp, so many different types of crabs hiding. There was a really impressive yellow one which could have been a baby king crab, and the tiniest little snow crab! There were also small fish swimming around, and the guide even said he saw an octopus. There were also several starfish, my favourite was bright purple with white spots.

A small creature living in the kelp

A small creature living in the kelp

Who knew kelp could be this pretty

Who knew kelp could be this pretty

After what felt like 5 minutes but was actually 45 we had to swim back ashore. Only when we got out of the gloves and hoods did we realize how cold it really was, but again everyone was too excited to notice. Back at the office we were helped out of the suits and back into dryer clothing. One unlucky guy had a leak in the suit and was quite wet, but other than that we were all more or less dry.

Such a cool experience

Such a cool experience

I must say this was an incredible experience. I did not expect kelp to be this exciting, and so rich in marine life. Also, how many people can say that they have been snorkelling in Alaska ?