wardric:
What about in Maine? I go twice a year near Saco/Biddeford and never got a chance to dive there (no diving center and no buddy). Where do you dive in Maine?
Been diving mostly in Southern Maine. I only got certified 20 dives ago so I am by no means well versed in dive sites. I find that my favorite Site is St. Ann's in Kennebunkport. (down near Bush's home) The site always seems to offer something different depending on the tide. not very deep there...I have only found about 33 feet offshore.. Others with whom i dive venture out of the cove and get into the 40's. usually there is plenty of life at any depth.
Biddeford Pool. The Old coast guard station is supposed to be a nice dive. I went on a short dive there in adverse conditions (extreme fog) and stayed near shore. Had potential.
Nubble Light in Cape Neddick near York Village seems to be a prime site for many. Need to be careful that you can't dive there on Sundays or holidays during the summer season. Should be dived at high tide and because of it's scenery, parking can be a problem. I haven't been there myself....yet.
Colony Beach in Kennebunkport.....nice easy dive...lots of critters.
Depending on your ability or interests: The wreck of the Wanby is supposed to be nice...Should be guided the first time. ..quite a surface swim if you opt to take off from shore. Is advertised as an experienced wreck divers dive.This is also in Kennebunkport.
In Cape Elizabeth, right down the street from Biddeford, I have done Kettle Cove. This is a beautiful park. An easy beach entry, easy dive. 20-30 ft. Vis. when I went wasn't great but depending on the conditions it gets better. Need to see the warden to get a permit at no charge but he is usually around. Just be sure you have your c-card.
Two Lights next to Kettle cove is also a very nice dive. It is a bit deeper and offers a variety of sea life along the seawall, plenty of lobsters, crabs, wolffish, rays, stipers, etc.
Ships Cove...again near Kettle is supposed to be a nice dive...sort of a cave in one spot. Vis. isn't always the greatest.
That's a good start on Salt water. As far as freah water is concerned....pick a lake and jump in !.....with a flag of course. could be a lot of traffic depending on the time of year...and not everyone knows or cares that you are under them.
We did Sebago lake State Park this Summer in Naples, about 30 miles outside of Saco. Nice park...need c-card. Withing a short distance from shore the water drops to about 200 feet.
Trickey Pond in Naples is potentially a nice dive. It boasts crystal clear water to 70 feet I believe...maybe shallower. When I went there seemed to be a bloom going on so vis wasn't crystal clear, but it wasn't bad.
Kennebunk pond is a nice easy after work type dive. Beach entry, vis. not bad. been down 40 feet there, not sure how deep the deepest is. It is also a spot frequented for ice diving.
For the most part, southern Maine, or the coast of Maine in general , with all of it's little coves seem to offer quite an abundance of dive sites as you can see from the few that i have listed in the Biddeford/Saco area.
I have been diving since April 29 and became associated with a few divers of my
same ability. As the summer passed on, the circle increased in size and experience levels and is still growing. As noted, I have only logged 20 dives since april, but some of these folks have logged as many as 60-70 dives I imagine by now.
Give me a call if you are in town..maybe we can either hook up or i can get you in touch with someone that will be glad to go "blow some bubbles"
....bob
