Kingston shore dives

[simcoediver]

I know theres probably lots of threads on this,,,but thought I would ask anyways. I am planninig a trip out to Kingston and possibly Rockport for the easter weekend and am wondering if some of you could give me the best 3 or 4 shore dives to do while there? I know the names of most of them and have read up on them but just wondered of your opinions on some of your best dives..

 

[FreeFloat]

Well I'd suppose it all depends on what you're looking for.

A very popular one is the Marine Museum - there's a couple of anchors and the reamins of a barge, along with muchos bottles and other junk to look at - depths to 40' or so.

There's also Morton's Wharf, a personal favorite of mine, although entry/exit can be a little tricky. It's a submerged L shaped wharf with lots of timbers, fish and other stuff to look at - and being at the site of a former distillery loads of bottles hiding in teh silt as well. Top of wharf at 6', depths to 30'.

Just outside of Kingston, off Howe Island, lies the Cora W Post, an old barge that sank carrying a load of bricks, most of which can still be seen lying neatly stacked in her hold. Another fish mecca during certain times of the year, I'm not sure about this early. Depths to 40 - 45'.

There's also the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour which has two anchors, including one rumored to have come from a German U boat (you decide), as well as the ribs and keel of some unidentified wooden vessel only 50' from shore in 20' of water. Further out, there's a line to another wreck. The Stacked Hulls are also diveable from this site; I have not yet personally visited them, and I have been advised to either carry LOTS of gas or prepare for a lengthy swim one way or another, and diving the Stacked Hulls during boating season is ill advised due to their location in the middle of the approach channel to the harbor.

So , yes, sure, there's lots of available shore sites in Kingston. If you want site sketches of anything I've named, or advice, please let me know!

 

[simcoediver]

Thank you very much Freefloat for your answers. But would you have added the Contestoga and Rockport Wall to your shore dive list? The recent thread on the boat ramp situation seems to indicate it is a very popular dive, Why is it popular? Sorry I,ve not been there , also how far out are the stacked hulls? , I am asking these questions because this board has been an incredible source of information for me !!!

 

[Tom R]

Have a look here

 

[d33ps1x]

Doesn't seem to be that long of a swim to the stacked hulls.

From the concrete block on shore to the bow of the J.C. Morrison is 459 feet. What's an extra 140 feet.

 

[simcoediver]

That puts thing into perspective,, Thanks d33px1x, The Morrison is an easy swim out , so an extra 140 feet will be nothing to worry about. Tom R ,,I tried your website under shore dives and it tells me that page is not found,,, can anyone tell me a little more about Rockport Wall? Is it worth trying out on a long weekend? [Easter]

 

[Tom R]

That puts thing into perspective,, Thanks d33px1x, The Morrison is an easy swim out , so an extra 140 feet will be nothing to worry about. Tom R ,,I tried your website under shore dives and it tells me that page is not found,,, can anyone tell me a little more about Rockport Wall? Is it worth trying out on a long weekend? [Easter]

Ahh the Rockport wall starts at the top and goes all the way to the bottom :sharks:

I just check the link is working, any dive is worth doing at least once

 

[artw]

Isn't the stacked hulls directly in the shipping channel approach to Portsmoth Harbour?
(ie - virtual overhead during the summer just like Kinghorn) ?

 

[FreeFloat]

Thank you very much Freefloat for your answers. But would you have added the Contestoga and Rockport Wall to your shore dive list?

You asked specifically about Kingston shore dives - so I haven't added anything further out than the Cora W Post. The Conestoga is approximately an hour East of Kingston, and Rockport is a good forty minutes at least. That is, if you're driving according to the posted speed limits.......

 

[Diver Rick]

Well I'd suppose it all depends on what you're looking for.

A very popular one is the Marine Museum - there's a couple of anchors and the reamins of a barge, along with muchos bottles and other junk to look at - depths to 40' or so.

There's also Morton's Wharf, a personal favorite of mine, although entry/exit can be a little tricky. It's a submerged L shaped wharf with lots of timbers, fish and other stuff to look at - and being at the site of a former distillery loads of bottles hiding in teh silt as well. Top of wharf at 6', depths to 30'.

Just outside of Kingston, off Howe Island, lies the Cora W Post, an old barge that sank carrying a load of bricks, most of which can still be seen lying neatly stacked in her hold. Another fish mecca during certain times of the year, I'm not sure about this early. Depths to 40 - 45'.

There's also the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour which has two anchors, including one rumored to have come from a German U boat (you decide), as well as the ribs and keel of some unidentified wooden vessel only 50' from shore in 20' of water. Further out, there's a line to another wreck. The Stacked Hulls are also diveable from this site; I have not yet personally visited them, and I have been advised to either carry LOTS of gas or prepare for a lengthy swim one way or another, and diving the Stacked Hulls during boating season is ill advised due to their location in the middle of the approach channel to the harbor.

So , yes, sure, there's lots of available shore sites in Kingston. If you want site sketches of anything I've named, or advice, please let me know!

Any maps of the shore dive sites in Kingston. Coming up with a group of beginner divers in early July, and looking for as much info as possible to brief them!
I've heard that there are great beginner entry points (and free parking) with some wrecks, somewhere in the area of the Maritime Museum.
Any help would be appreciated.
TIA
Rick