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If Alaska is on your travel bucket list, you’re not alone. While a majority of the state’s tourists visit on a cruise ship, Alaska offers a wealth of one-of-a-kind experiences that can be

reached by plane, train, automobile, or a group tour. And as the largest state in the United States — at 663,300 square miles — there’s a lot of crowd-free ground to cover. According to the

Alaska Travel Industry Association’s Alaska 2022-2023 Visitor Profile Report, 38 percent of visitors to Alaska are boomers or older.  From relaxing hot springs to stunning snorkeling spots

(You read that correctly.) to yoga practice with reindeer, here are some of our favorite and arguably unexpected Alaskan adventures to inspire you to get that trip to The Last Frontier on

the calendar. You may encounter orcas while snorkeling in Ketchikan, Alaska. Frederick Drake KETCHIKAN Snorkeling is a favorite vacation activity, so why not Alaska? Brrr, we know what

you’re thinking. The average summer water temperature in Ketchikan is 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but wiggling into a thick 7mm wetsuit is the hardest part for many. Fred Drake, owner of Snorkel

Alaska, has taken more than 50,000 people snorkeling in Alaska. Outdoor enthusiasts walk into the water from the shoreline; what’s waiting includes a colorful lineup of sea stars, urchins,

sea cucumbers, and jellies. “Some of our amazing encounters have included harbor seals, sea lions, and even orcas and humpback whales,” says Drake. “While those big marine life encounters

are somewhat rare, they could happen on any tour. While we can never guarantee such an encounter, I can guarantee you won’t have one if you don’t join us.” The day I took the plunge, a bald

eagle snagged a fish out of the water in front of me and then enjoyed its feast on a nearby rock. Tours typically operate May through September. You can expect to see sea stars and anemones

while snorkeling in Sitka, Alaska, but there’s also a chance to see octopus, above. Selkie Snorkels SITKA If you don’t dive in while in Ketchikan, you’ve got another chance in Sitka. Selkie

Snorkels guides tours off the shores of Magic Island. The summer season water temperature is similar to Ketchikan, and just like Snorkel Alaska, all of the gear you’ll need to stay warm is

provided. Expected wildlife sightings include sea stars, anemones, and abalone, but there’s also the possibility of octopus, sea lions, schools of salmon, and maybe even a passing humpback

whale in the distance.