Scuba Adventures
Southeast Alaska has some of the best scuba diving in the United States. Below, a successful cold winter dive for king crab aboard the 25 foot M/V Ocean Runner one of several vessels available from SEAHOOK DIVING AND CHARTERS.
There are a number of dive options available including:
The average water temperature during the months of February and March is usually 38 degrees F. This definitely would be classed as drysuit temperature!
Scallop and Dungeness Crab Diving
King Crab Diving
Wreck Diving
Night Diving
SCALLOP AND DUNGENESS CRAB DIVING
Divers from outside Alaska my purchase 1-day, 3-day, or 14-day nonresident sport fishing license for $10, $15, or $30 respectively.
This will allow them to catch up to 5 dungeness crab and 5 sea bass (rockfish) per day. Scallops also can be harvested in limited quantities.
You may have noticed that king crab is not listed above. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, king crab season is closed to nonresident sport fishermen.
Scallops and dungeness crab are usually available year around. To the right, a fruitfull catch of scallops and king crab for some of our divers.
KING CRAB DIVING
On some occasions, divers descend watching the entire bottom move. As they swim closer, there are so many crabs literally piled on one another. At this point, you just pick out some of the big ones.
King crab is usually very abundant from January through March.
WRECK DIVING PRINCESS SOPHIA
Because the shipwreck is in the middle of Lynn Canal, it is sometimes difficult to find a good enough day to dive in that area. For this dive we recommend that you be a fairly experienced diver. During the winter, the winds can approach 75+ mph, the seas can reach well over 15 feet, and the current on the surface can run in excess of 4 knots (upper 20 feet). It's days like this that prevent us from diving here.
Even 2+ foot waves can be extremely treacherous for the average diver. Don't be discouraged! There are more than enough safety precautions in place. Some of these include a floating safety line running from the anchor line, along the boat, and off the stern approximately 200 feet. There is also a sizable manned skiff readily available for picking up anyone that is outside the safety line's reach. Additionally, there are standby divers trained in dive rescue, as well as Oxygen and first-aid onboard.
As you descend down the anchor line, you will notice that the water is unusually clear. The visibility can sometimes reach 100 feet.
Upon reaching the upper end of the captivating shipwreck at 65 feet, you can gaze upward to see the sea bass and pacific cod swimming like christmas tree ornaments above you. This provides spearfishermen with plenty of things to do.
Fish and plant life are abundant all around the wreck. You may opt to penetrate the open area, or swim along the top and sides. The stern of the ship sits in approximately 120 feet of water.
My favorite local wreck dive is the "Princess Sophia" (127 KB) that went up on Vanderbilt Reef one stormy night in late October, 1918 just 35 miles northwest of Juneau (left).
This is a popular site for divers as it is one of the closest shipwrecks available for diving. There is a permanent mooring tied to the ship's railing in approximately 40 feet of water, while the stern sits at about 160 feet.
Seventeen miles north of Juneau, just off Lena Point, the "Princess Kathleen" can be found! She went aground on September 7, 1952.
CLARA NEVADA
She is the oldest as well as the shallowest of the four wrecks.
Most of the wreckage lays in pieces on the bottom floor between 25 and 40 feet.
The "Clara Nevada" struck Eldred Rock on February 5, 1898, 60 miles north of Juneau.
It now sits on a steep incline starting in 70 feet down to 160 feet of water.
Her final resting place?
Gambier Bay, on the south end of 100-mile long Admiralty Island.
Seventy miles south of Juneau, the "State of California" hit a pinnacle reef in 1913.
NIGHT DIVING
This beautiful and colorful wall dive has an enourmous amount of sealife to offer.
We often run into curious and playful sealions looking for handouts.
King crab is just one of the reasons to make a night dive at the World Famous "Shrine of St. Therese."
| Photo Essay | Brown Bear Stalk
PO Box 32644
Juneau, AK 99803-2644
(907) 723-9242
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