Alaska

Hi all,

Just got back from a 10 day trip on the Nautilus Explorer in Alaska. Areas covered included Ketchikan, Juneau, Wooden Island and Inian Island. I think the latter two (near Port Alexander and in Icy Strait respectively) have some of the best diving in the world.

Here are some samples (Link to full gallery below)

Full gallery here: Alaska Gallery

Clinton

Hey Clinton,

Very nice images. I've heard many good things about the Alaskan coastline, but have yet to have made the trip up there. What were the water temperatures like and how about the visibility?

Mike

Hey Clinton,

 

Very nice images. I've heard many good things about the Alaskan coastline, but have yet to have made the trip up there. What were the water temperatures like and how about the visibility?

 

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks!

Vis was around 50 feet near Ketchikan though the reef there wasn't all that interesting. Partly that was due to using the area for warmup dives for people not used to this kind of diving.

Gambier Bay (where the wreck of the State of California is) had warm (49F) water on the surface with very bad vis opening to probably 50 foot vis below 70 feet but cooling off to 43F.

Wooden Island was about 40 feet at depth with a murky layer on top above 40 feet. Probably 45F.

Inian Island had a consistent 25-30 foot vis all through the water column and was about 44-45F.

In Juneau on both wrecks there was a warm layer and very cold, clear water on the bottom.

Clinton

Waaaaaay too cold for me, but you did very well!

Waaaaaay too cold for me, but you did very well!

Hi Jim,

Thanks!

Actually the water temperatures aren't so bad with a drysuit and some nice warm undergarments. It's a lot like skiing - yes it's cold out but if you you have the right exposure protection it's not a problem. Certainly nothing a nice cup of hot cocoa or cider can't fix after the dive.

Clinton

beautiful photos Clinton, thanks for posting...I really like #2 & #3.. I guess monterey water isn't cold enough for you?

let me know when you're ready for a drip down to so-cal.

scott

Clinton,

I wouldn't have stumbled across your pictures had someone else not posted today, so I'll chime in, too.

Excellent shots...

I bought a drysuit expressly to go on a trip with Nautilus Explorer, but haven't booked it yet. What was your experience with them like?

Thanks,

Mark, the weenie diver from Florida.

Clinton,

I bought a drysuit expressly to go on a trip with Nautilus Explorer, but haven't booked it yet. What was your experience with them like?

Well.... This was trip number 10 for me on the boat!

I'm rather sad to see so much emphasis on the Mexico trips now since I love the PNW diving so much but at least for the time being the business realities mean there will be more trips down south than up north. Oh well.

Anyway I'd make sure you're comfortable in the drysuit before you go so you don't use the trip to learn but the diving is great and I highly recommend it.

Clinton

As a travel weary californian,I have also considered the trips up north on that boat. Can you give some details of the boat, rooms, staff, etc? much appreciated

Beautiful. I've saving some $ for a dry suit. I want to dive there, and the Great Lakes and the Channel Islands one day.

Very nice Images, and i believe the diving is great, but i am same than Jim, way too cold for me!!!

Anyway I'd make sure you're comfortable in the drysuit before you go so you don't use the trip to learn

Excellent advice Clinton, and I've been doing just that.

I've been on the Peace boat to the Channel Islands, and we've got a bunch of springs here in Florida that are great when the weather's too rotten to go offshore.

Best fishes,

Mark

As a travel weary californian,I have also considered the trips up north on that boat. Can you give some details of the boat, rooms, staff, etc? much appreciated

Vazuw,

The Nautilus is a very nice platform to dive from. The boat is big and it's all steel construction so it rides nice in rough waters. The staff is very friendly and they're always trying to help you out. They'll be there when you get off the skiff with hot Choc and treats as well as a bucket of hot water to warm cold hands in. Mike is extremely safety conscious and he does everything with this first and foremost in his decisions.

If you're used to diving aboard the Channel Island boats, then the Nautilus Explorer is outright opulent. But, the diving style will be different than what you're used too. Everything is live tendered which means that when you enter the water, you go with the flow (current) and ascend where ever you finish you dive. No need to swim back to the boat... they will pick you up.

If you'd like more testaments for the boat, do a search for Nautilus on wetpixel. You'll find a number of trip reports that will give you a feel for the boat.

Cheers,

Mike

PS... The food is excellent which is critical cause we all know how divers like their food!