Camping on Hermits Island, ME

[Randy g]

What kind of diving is there at HI? We have been to reefs in florida, hawaii, and mexico and this weekend is our first wreck dives off Hatteras.

What can we expect to see from a beach dive at Hermits Island?

 

[spectrum]

I haven't been from Hermit Island but I would expect no less than the typical Maine shore dive. Scope things out at low tide and go where the ledges are. You are apt to see lobster crabs, starfish, assorted fish depending on what's running. The docile sculpin / sea ravens are fun to find. They blend in well so keep your eyes open. Colorful sponges and bottom growth that is more colorful than you might expect. You might come across a colony of recovering sea urchins, the fisher has been decimated but it's beginning to recover. You might even sneak up on the nude beach and get an eyeful. All in all there is plenty to see and just getting neutral is a hoot.

Pete

 

[dave4868]

What kind of diving is there at HI? We have been to reefs in florida, hawaii, and mexico and this weekend is our first wreck dives off Hatteras.

What can we expect to see from a beach dive at Hermits Island?

I've done some dives from Hermit Island between the areas called "Ocean Sweep" and "Joe's Head". There were some craggy areas with lots of schooling stripers when I went in August of the year, as you will be. An occasional big striper may check you out if you have some flounder in your catch bag. I saw one about 4 feet long. You may see some seals, as they frequent the rocks just off shore.

Off of Joe's Head, there's a shoal heading in a southerly direction. It was interesting to follow it a hundred yards to 25' depths.

Have fun!

Dave C

 

[Darlene in Maine]

You should bring along your dive gear and enjoy the all the Maine coast has to offer...from diving to local seafood, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and dont forget to check out all the historic Forts along the coast!!! So much to see and do and taste!!

 

[N.E.Diver]

We are going up for 10 days next month and camping on hermits Island. We were wondering if there is any possiblity for picking up lobster off the bottom around the campgrounds at night. We are taking the kayaks and thinking about taking the dive gear as well.

Good idea or bad?

TIA!

Randy...as everyone stated its a bad idea. When I was up there I visited the SDI/TDI headquarters and they put it to me like this...your gear gets inpounded until fines are levyed and paid for. Thats if your lucky. If you unlucky you will get dropped off at a lobstermans house.

I just wanted to add since I didnt see it on the thread anywhere that I got Lobster for 3.50 a LB when I was up there last month.

 

[under water]

..It's important to understand that lobsters are essentially fed by lobstermen (and women) until they are large enough to harvest. So the lobsterfolks have a substantial financial investment in the lobster population.... Jeff

Jeff, Can you please elobarate on that? How do the lobsterpeople feed the lobsters? I am having a hard time envisioning how this is done. Do you mean by the bait that they have in the traps?
Thanks
Just curious.

 

[Damselfish]

Jeff, Can you please elobarate on that? How do the lobsterpeople feed the lobsters? I am having a hard time envisioning how this is done. Do you mean by the bait that they have in the traps?

pretty much. I've heard most lobsters that go in the traps get back out, so they're like little lobster restaurants. Think I've seen video someplace.

 

[spectrum]

pretty much. I've heard most lobsters that go in the traps get back out, so they're like little lobster restaurants. Think I've seen video someplace.

True, The lobster fishery also takes good care of the crab population. While diving it's not uncommon to see the bait bag in a lobster pot (trap) swarming with crabs.

Pete