Anyone ever dive Minot Beach in Scituate/Cohasset?

[scubastew]

I was curious if anyone here has dove off Minot Beach on the South Shore in Cohasset/Scituate. Any idea what it's like?
>>Whats the max and average Depth?
>>Which direction to head off the beach?
>>Which Rock formation is better to dive?
>>Any hazards? Looks like a few small boats are in the area.
>>What type of Marine Life?
>>Parking issues? Doesn't look it's too good.

Thanks folks!!
~scubastew

 

[MSilvia]

I haven't, but I'd like to check it out!

 

[MASS-Diver]

I was curious if anyone here has dove off Minot Beach on the South Shore in Cohasset/Scituate. Any idea what it's like?
>>Whats the max and average Depth?
>>Which direction to head off the beach?
>>Which Rock formation is better to dive?
>>Any hazards? Looks like a few small boats are in the area.
>>What type of Marine Life?
>>Parking issues? Doesn't look it's too good.

Thanks folks!!
~scubastew

Drop off your gear at the stairs near the end of the breakwater, then drive back to the parking lot (on your right). I like to work left in between the outer rocks and the Glades. Good bug spot, flounder, cod, stripers - the usual lot.

Av. depth 25' (although you can see more if you kick out for a while).

Watch out for boats and fisherman (shore or from boat).

Good night dive spot.

 

[joecad]

I was curious if anyone here has dove off Minot Beach on the South Shore in Cohasset/Scituate. Any idea what it's like?
>>Whats the max and average Depth?
>>Which direction to head off the beach?
>>Which Rock formation is better to dive?
>>Any hazards? Looks like a few small boats are in the area.
>>What type of Marine Life?
>>Parking issues? Doesn't look it's too good.

Thanks folks!!
~scubastew

Check the book "Beneath the Waters of Massachusetts Bay, Wrecks, Rocks, & Dive Sites" by Donald l. Ferris. I found it on line, I think it cost $18. It covers many dive sites (shore and boat) between Cape Ann and Plymouth. He also wrote a book "Exploring the Waters of Cape Cod."
I haven't gotten around to Minot Beach yet, but used it to boat dive at Minot Light.
For Minot Beach, it suggests diving along and between the rock islands at the North end of the beach, and says that depths can run to 50', which, having snorkeled there as a kid, I find hard to believe.

 

[scubastew]

I actually have both those books (and I recommend them as well). I was shocked to read it said "up to 50ft" deep at Minot Beach. Must be a big hole or something out there, lol.
~thanks for the heads up
scubastew

 

[yak]

I actually have both those books (and I recommend them as well). I was shocked to read it said "up to 50ft" deep at Minot Beach. Must be a big hole or something out there, lol.
~thanks for the heads up
scubastew

I think it's fathoms, which are about 5.99 feet . If you look at this map
http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepa...maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS

Just south of Smiths, it says 9 - 10 fathoms. I was in 50 feet of water last summer in that very spot, so that's about right.

 

[MSilvia]

I think it's fathoms, which are about 5.99 feet .

I hope you're right... it'll make for a much better dive, and will help explain how 50' is possible.

 

[MASS-Diver]

If you swim far enough you can see 50' but it would be a long swim. For example, the water off the "Stick" - Tobias Ledge off the tip of the Glades is 50' deep. Another way to get to 50' would be to kick striagt out and then turn north and follow the outer edges of Ledges that come before (but outside) Tobias - such as Chest Ledge - you'll see 50' that way. I would guess that a 10min kick-out followed by a some underwater swimming would give you a good shot at 50'.

 

[whitelief]

Scituate always seems so inaccessible to all but the annually stickered residents of Scituate. Is there really public parking for the unwashed masses from out of town?

 

[MASS-Diver]

Scituate always seems so inaccessible to all but the annually stickered residents of Scituate. Is there really public parking for the unwashed masses from out of town?

Yup, at that small lot before the beach starts you can park (it's at the turnaround). It's a still a decent walk back to your gear. This is not a very popular beach for bathers and the like as Scituate has several other really nice beaches.