The Aleutian Islands sit in the cold North Pacific, and the water here remains cold throughout the year, rising only slightly in summer. Sites span both ocean and brackish environments, ranging from shallow kelp-fringed beaches to deeper harbour and reef systems reaching forty metres. Kelp forests, artificial reef structures built on industrial remnants, and submerged reefs host species including giant Pacific octopus, king crab, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, sea otters, and a range of nudibranchs. Access to most sites is remote, with the nearest services centred on Dutch Harbor and Adak. Drysuits are essential year-round, and conditions at exposed sites demand experience with cold water and strong currents.
Monthly water temperature across Aleutian Islands's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures remain low year-round, climbing only marginally in summer. Exposed sites such as Morris Cove and Iliuliuk Reef see strong currents that require careful timing, while more sheltered locations like Finger Bay offer calmer conditions for those still building cold-water experience.
Water temperature around Aleutian Islands ranges from about 4°C in January to 9°C in July, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 4–9°C, a drysuit works in Aleutian Islands year-round.
Fin maps 8 sites in Aleutian Islands (4 scuba diving sites and 5 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
8 more sites to explore
