Diving "the Spit" - South Shore, MA

[okiscub]

Hi - I'm relatively new to diving. I fish and hang out a lot with my boat near "the spit", an area where the north and south river empty into the ocean just south of Boston harbor. Has anyone dived this area? If so, where are the better dive sites? Also, anyone catch any bugs at the spit and if so, where?

Thanks

 

[yak]

Hi - I'm relatively new to diving. I fish and hang out a lot with my boat near "the spit", an area where the north and south river empty into the ocean just south of Boston harbor. Has anyone dived this area? If so, where are the better dive sites? Also, anyone catch any bugs at the spit and if so, where?

Thanks

Between the ton of boats there every weekend and the currents in the new inlet, I wouldn't advise diving there. Head over to Smith Rocks or Collamore Ledge, it's about 15 minutes from there by boat. Or head South to Beedle Rock off Fieldston.

 

[Rafael]

If you have a boat and dive the Boston Harbor, i will recomend you the graves light, that dive is easy, is shallow but it will help you to build confidence, and is plenty of bugs down there. make sure you check the currents and tide and plan your dives around that, currents could be strong.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[scubastew]

From what I understand "The Spit" is all sand anyway so likely not worth diving especially for bugs. Yak is "right-on" with the weekend boat traffic as well. Plenty of other locations worth diving though, especially if you have a friend with a boat!

also when looking on a map anything with "Rock" in the name should be worth a lobster dive. "Ledge" as well...

for a "raw" fairly well known list of dive sites checkout this link
---> http://www.scuba-newengland.com/DiveSiteList.asp?StateID=MA

also dont forget to talk to your local dive shop, that's (part of) what they are there for!

 

[okiscub]

Thanks - Graves Light sounds like fun. I'll have to try it out. My only two prior diving experiences have been in Okinawa, Japan and St. John, so it will be interesting contrast those waters to the cool waters of New England.

 

[LobstaMan]

I'd second the Graves area, especially the Zoo ship. Lots of ship debris, interesting u/w topography and a decent amount of fish, lobster and crabs. You also can be as shallow as 20 fsw, but as deep as 85fsw.

IMHO, for starters, since you haven't done anything cold and low viz yet, you might want to start with an easier shore dive near the SS, including Sandwich Town Beach(STB), Brant Rock(BR), Gun Rock(GR) or easier boat sites like Hardings Ledge or the Brewsters. Good luck and have fun diving this area. But, don't bother getting a lobster permit...there's no bugs around here anyway.

LobstaMan

 

[okiscub]

But, don't bother getting a lobster permit...there's no bugs around here anyway.

LobstaMan

haaa OK - I won't bother

How do I locate these sites? I looked for Graves Light on a nautical map but couldn't find it.

 

[LobstaMan]

Graves Light is in the Outer Boston Harbor area kind of east of Hull. I have luck with the maptech.com site.

LobstaMan

 

[okiscub]

I found a place on the map called "The Graves", and to the left, the word "Lighthouse". Is this the Graves Light site that you are referring to?

 

[LobstaMan]

Yes, that's it. It can also be seen from shore from old Fort Revere in Hull. The views of the Outer Harbor from the Fort are excellent. On a day like today, the ride would be worth it for the view. It would be the gray/concrete colored lighthouse. The white one closer to shore is Boston Light.

LobstaMan