What To Pack For An Alaska Cruise

Dave and I have been adventuring in southeast Alaska for over a decade. We’ve learned how to stay comfortable in all kinds of weather, and most importantly, we’ve learned how to stay dry on the soggiest of days.

So, whether you’re visiting southeast Alaska on a big boat or taking one of our private cruises, this post is for you! Keep reading for links and details about our top recommended gear, or download Adventure Fishing Tours' Suggested Packing List.

Recommended Gear

• Non-Cotton Base Layers

  • Our Favorite Base Layers

• Wool (or Hybrid Wool) Socks

• Warm Layers

• Waterproof Outer Layers

  • Our Favorite Grundéns Apparel

• Footwear

  • Rubber Boots

  • Hiking Boots

  • Boat Shoes

    • Our Favorite Boat Shoe Brands

• Gloves or Mittens

• Beanie and a Baseball Cap

• Sun Protection

  • Our Favorite Sunglasses For Marine Environments

• Small Backpack or Dry Bag

  • Our Favorite Day Packs

• Extras

• Final Thoughts

Non-Cotton Base Layers

Non-cotton base layers are arguably the most essential layer for any Alaskan adventure — both for comfort and safety. Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest, which means that the average temperature is around the mid-60s. In the summer, humidity averages around 87%.

The best way to stay warm is to avoid fibers like cotton, which tend to hold moisture close to the skin. While this cooling effect of cotton can be desirable in a place like the desert, it’s not so great in southeast Alaska and can even lead to hypothermia.

For base layers, we recommend a long-sleeve shirt and long pants made from thin merino or alpaca wool. Layering is key to being cozy while adventuring in Alaska. The best part is that you can wear whatever you’d like over these base layers, no matter what fiber it’s made from!

Our Favorite Base Layers

• Merino Wool Clothing from Merino.Tech

• Alpaca Wool Clothing from PAKA

• Made In Alaska Merino Wool Clothes for Kids by Wildhaven Wools

Wool (or Hybrid Wool) Socks

Alright, we’ve already talked about why wool is superior as a base layer. But that goes double for your socks! One huge benefit of wool over cotton is that it retains its insulative properties when it gets wet. And in Alaska, especially when you’re fishing or kayaking, you’re bound to get a little wet!

Even though we have a washer/dryer about Sir Reel, we recommend bringing at least an extra pair or two so that you have warm, dry socks at the ready when you’re done adventuring. Our favorite wool socks are the tried-and-true Merino wool socks from Smartwool. They last forever, come in all sorts of delightful patterns, and they’re not itchy like the thick wool socks of yesteryear.

Warm Layers

In addition to base layers, we recommend packing a sweatshirt or two and a fleece vest or pullover. Insulated jeans or thick leggings are a favorite amongst locals. If you’re visiting Alaska in April or October, we recommend a down or faux down vest over fleece.

Waterproof Outer Layers

The most hotly contested layer amongst outdoor enthusiasts is perhaps the all-important waterproof outer layer. From Gore-Tex to Frogg Toggs, there’s a huge variety of options at a wide range of cost and reliability. But to stay dry in the heavy southeast Alaskan rainstorm, there’s truly only one option: rubberized raingear.

Enter Grundéns Fishing Apparel. This company has specialized in oilskins and commercial fishing gear for over 100 years. In fact, their Herkules bibs have remained unchanged since 1954 and are worn by commercial fishermen all over the world. Captain Dave’s Herkules bibs have lasted him over 10 years! We don’t recommend bibs for our guests, but if you’re coming up to be a deckhand, they’re basically required.

Our Favorite Grundéns Apparel

• Fleece-lined Rubberized Pullover (Dave and Jojo’s favorite)

• Rubberized Zip-up Jacket (Great for guests who are fishing)

• Non-rubberized Waterproof Jacket (Good hiking and all-around jacket)

• Rubberized Rainpants (Great for guests who are fishing and kayaking)

• Water-resistant, Breathable Rainpants (Good for hiking)

There is one other company that we’d like to highlight in this section, and that’s Sitka Gear. Known for their high-quality hunting attire, they have a wide variety of water-resistant and waterproof gear. Dave swears by the _______ hoodie, another piece of gear that’s lasted him around a decade.

Footwear

Second only to non-cotton base layers is having the appropriate footwear for adventuring in Alaska. And while we know that packing three different pairs may seem like a lot, you’ll be happy you did! At the very least, we recommend packing the boat shoes and either rubber or waterproof hiking boots.

Rubber Boots

Born in Rock Island, Illinois, XtraTufs boots have been the choice of fishermen and dock workers in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for the last 50 years. Dave and I both swear by their tall boots, but their ankle boots suffice for most visitors.

Grundéns also has an excellent selection of rubber footwear. Some of our closest friends prefer their boots. We recommend finding a place with a variety of options and finding the right rubber footwear for you.

Hiking Boots

Although rubber boots are great for fishing, they may not be the most comfortable for hiking. As we mentioned above, southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest. Hiking trails and beachlines can be muddy, slick, or covered in boulders and large roots. We’re big fans of shoes with Vibram soles when it comes to being surefooted in this environment. Waterproof is best, though water-resistant works well for most guests.

Boat Shoes

If you only bring two pairs of shoes, make sure you include boat shoes. We suggest anything with a sticky rubber sole. Boat shoes should be comfortable enough to lounge in but not loose or poor-fitting (e.g., Crocs, clogs, etc.). We’ve included a few of our favorite brands but even a pair of basic tennis shoes make great boat shoes!

Our Favorite Boat Shoe Brands

• OluKai

• Sanuk

• Sebago

• Chacos

• TOMS

Gloves or Mittens

A basic pair of lightweight, cold-weather gloves or mittens can be a great item to pack, especially if you tend to have cold hands. Look for waterproof or non-cotton options. If you’re traveling to Alaska in early May or late August, consider bringing slightly thicker gloves or using glove liners.

Occasionally, guests who are joining us for multiple days of fishing bring a pair of fishing gloves, too. We recommend checking out AFTCO or Pelagic Gear. Both companies have fishing-focused options for sport fishing for many hours at a time.

Beanie and a Baseball Cap

These are likely items we don’t have to remind you to bring, but they’re important to remember, especially when packing for an Alaskan cruise. A wool beanie is ideal, but any non-cotton fiber is fine.

Sun Protection

Another essential item when cruising Alaska’s fjords is a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses. Dave and I both wear polarized and shatterproof sunglasses. We highly recommend having some type of eye protection when fishing. Keep them on your face and out of the water with an eyeglass retainer from Chums or Croakies!

Our Favorite Sunglasses For Marine Environments

• Costa

• Blenders

• Smith

• Maui Jim’s

We also recommend bringing your preferred sunscreen, but we strongly prefer that you do not use spray-on sunscreen, especially if you’re fishing with us. Sunscreen makes gear slick, and the scent can be off-putting to fish. In fact, it’s likely that one of us will remind you to wash your hands after applying sunscreen so that we don’t miss any bites! But sunscreen is important, especially in July, so remember to pack some or use other methods to block SPFs throughout your time on the water.

Small Backpack or Dry Bag

Dave and I both have 30L dry bag backpacks that we use when we go adventuring. We use them to carry water, extra layers, snacks, VHF radio…you get the idea. A small backpack with a rainfly will also work, but if you’re interested in kayaking, a dry bag is a better option.

Our Favorite Day Packs

• Deuter Durascent 30L

• Grundén’s Rumrunner 30L

• Alaskan-Made Fishe Dry Bags

• Osprey Tempest 33L w/Rainfly

Extras

We think a few other essentials are crucial when it comes to packing for Alaska. It’s important to remember that you’ll be adventuring in remote locations. Even if you’re on a large cruise ship, you’re still essentially in the middle of nowhere. When it comes to some conveniences, Alaska may not have what you’re used to having at home.

Lounge Wear

Changing into comfy, warm, dry clothes at the end of a day of adventuring is the best thing ever. And they can double as pajamas if you’re tight on space!

Insect Repellent

Luckily, mosquitos aren’t quite as prevalent in southeast Alaska as they are in other parts of Alaska. However, they’re still common and larger than most mosquitos found in the continental US. A good insect repellent can make life more comfortable, especially when enjoying a beach bonfire.

We recommend a product, such as this repellant from Sawyer, that contains 20% Picaridin. This chemical has proven to be as effective as DEET without the drawbacks. If you’re joining us for a trip, we ask that you leave repellant with DEET at home. The chemical is known to harm sensitive animals, such as rabbits, like Mr B.

For travelers who prefer all-natural alternatives, we recommend reading this article from Healthline. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, hats, and scarves are also effective for repelling most insects here in southeast Alaska.

Personal Medications and Supplements

Weather conditions in southeast Alaska can occasionally impact travel plans. We recommend bringing a few extra days' worth of necessary prescriptions and/or supplements. Juneau, though a “big” city by Southeast standards, has been known not to have certain prescriptions and/or supplements available.

Camera with Charging Cord or Batteries and Extra Memory Cards

Whether it’s your phone or a fancier camera, take the time to make sure it’s ready to capture all the exciting sights you’ll see on your cruise!

Reusable Water Bottle

A 16 or 32-ounce water bottle is an important addition to any adventure. We have Adventure Fishing Tours water bottles and other swag available on our online store!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you’ve gotten a feel for the type of conditions you’ll be subjected to during your Alaskan cruise. We suggest checking the weather for Juneau a few days before your departure and then finalizing your packing decisions. But regardless of what you end up bringing with you, we know you’ll leave Alaska with some incredible memories!

Want More Insights About Adventuring In Alaska?

Drop us a comment with what interests you, and we’ll likely write a post about it!

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