Down East Maine area

[highvoltagegr]

I am traveling to Maine this summer, and was wondering where are the good places to dive? Good dive shops? etc. I will be in the Bangor/Ellsworth area. Any good ideas?

 

[MSilvia]

Eastport harbor has a reputation for being an excellent site if you dive at slack tide (it's getting close to the 28' tide change at the Bay of Fundy, so there can be quite a rip). I've never done it myself though... my only Maine diving was a beach dive off Bass Harbor, and it wasn't anything to write home about.

 

[shellbird]

AKA Nubble Light is a real nice cove dive, nice light house, near York Beach. One of my favorite sites so far. Clear, cold, quite a bit of marinelife.

 

[large_diver]

If you are headed Downeast, then Eastport is the place to go. As quoted in the trip report below, "Comparing Eastport to Folly Cove [a popular scenic dive site in Gloucester, MA] is like comparing Folly Cove to a swimming pool." As mentioned above, the tidal flows are huge -- the result is some of the most beautiful, vibrant marine life on the east coast. The downsides are: (1) little, if any, dive charter activity; (2) limited dive times (slack tide only); and remoteness. Regardless, it is on my list of "must do" sites. Water is cold -- often not much above 50, but with those long SITs...perhaps not a problem...;-)

Anyway, below are links to a trip report on Eastport (2 parts -- 2nd part is about the continuation of his trip to Nova Scotia). As you can see from the pics -- very scenic.

http://www.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=1625

http://www.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=1650

Enjoy!

 

[MSilvia]

Nubble's a good site, but it's at least several hours away from the Downeast Maine/Bangor area... almost at the New Hampshire border.

shellbird once bubbled...
AKA Nubble Light is a real nice cove dive, nice light house, near York Beach. One of my favorite sites so far. Clear, cold, quite a bit of marinelife.

 

[shellbird]

I lived in Maine, sister still there. He will be IN Maine... Maybe he has to drive by York...


MSILVIA, quit being such a nit picker... geesh

 

[highvoltagegr]

Actually, I am from Michigan, but have been spending my last 22 summers in Bucksport ME. I have spent most of my time in Maine hiking, sailing, and land activities due to the family. Now my kids are old enough to dive, and would like to take the kids salt water diving. I am new to this site, and will continue my seach for a good place in Maine.
Great infomative (and sarcastic) site. Thanks for the help help so far.....

 

[shellbird]

Hey, we are New Englander's, that passes for humor...