Florida Diver Looking for Possible Dive Sites

[RIOceanographer]

In addition to the MA options, it isn't far to drive to RI. Jamestown RI has some nice shore dives like Beavertail Point, Bull Point and Ft Wetherill. Great rocky shores with quick depth just off the beach and interesting terrain. A bonus of diving in October is that the vis is usually better in the fall as long as there are no big storms.

Also the water on the south coast of New England is warmer than it is on the north side of Cape Cod. Expect water temps in the mid to upper 50s in late October.

If you choose to stay in MA, Cape Ann (Gloucester and Rockport) diving is practically legendary. A bit chilly by comparison (I dove it last week and it was 52 at the bottom even this time of year). RI won't get that cold until November.

 

[OrlandoRogue]

In addition to the MA options, it isn't far to drive to RI. Jamestown RI has some nice shore dives like Beavertail Point, Bull Point and Ft Wetherill. Great rocky shores with quick depth just off the beach and interesting terrain. A bonus of diving in October is that the vis is usually better in the fall as long as there are no big storms.

Also the water on the south coast of New England is warmer than it is on the north side of Cape Cod. Expect water temps in the mid to upper 50s in late October.

If you choose to stay in MA, Cape Ann (Gloucester and Rockport) diving is practically legendary. A bit chilly by comparison (I dove it last week and it was 52 at the bottom even this time of year). RI won't get that cold until November.

Well...I might be flying into Providence, then driving to Mansfield for the day, so I guess Jamestown is an option. How far is it from Providence? I went to the cape last time I was in New England, and had a blast just driving around the different towns and walking the beaches. I made a promise to myself that I would go back there to do some diving when the weather was warmer. So many choices, so little time!

 

[RIOceanographer]

Well...I might be flying into Providence, then driving to Mansfield for the day, so I guess Jamestown is an option. How far is it from Providence? I went to the cape last time I was in New England, and had a blast just driving around the different towns and walking the beaches. I made a promise to myself that I would go back there to do some diving when the weather was warmer. So many choices, so little time!

Jamestown is probably about 30 minutes from the airport. Actually, given the size of the state, nothing is much more than 30 minutes away. It is nearly all highway driving so it is pretty easy to get to. The dives I mentioned range from anywhere from about 20ft to 80ft depending on the site. Some of them have nice shear rock walls with lots of nice growth. Others are more like boulder piles with all sorts of crevices etc. Maybe the cold has affected my brain, but I lived in Florida for 4 years and I like the diving up here just as much. Actually, I think it is better in terms of shore diving because of the rocky coasts.

If you end up heading down that way and are looking for a local dive buddy I am sure I'll be around.

Cape Cod is a nice place for beaches and such but the diving there isn't all that interesting, especially if you want to go from the shore. If you dive in MA your best bet is Gloucester and Rockport on Cape Ann.

 

[ScubaNorth]

If you have limited dive time skip right to Gloucester or Rockport. RI is nice but nice dives finish last. You wll need 7 mm of Neoprene head to toe, a thermos of hot (well real warm) water and only one tank and a good attitude about cold water. It is not bone chilling but real close in October, I dive wet thru October but it's over after that for wet diving unless you are a super hero. Just throw a thread on this board when you are closer to your trip and you'll find plenty of groups still going out in October. :loki3:

 

[OrlandoRogue]

If you have limited dive time skip right to Gloucester or Rockport. RI is nice but nice dives finish last. You wll need 7 mm of Neoprene head to toe, a thermos of hot (well real warm) water and only one tank and a good attitude about cold water. It is not bone chilling but real close in October, I dive wet thru October but it's over after that for wet diving unless you are a super hero. Just throw a thread on this board when you are closer to your trip and you'll find plenty of groups still going out in October. :loki3:

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I am cutting it close at the end of October, but that is just the way the dice rolls with my work schedule. Oh, well...I am definitely willing to give it a shot and see how long I can tolerate the cold before turning blue. I'm just going to cut back from a 5mm to a 3mm in the caverns down here, so I'll slowly train my body to tolerate the temperature. And, I do have a utility belt, similar to that of Bat Girl, which holds my reels, etc. when I go cavern diving, so doesn't that count towards superhero status?

 

[RIOceanographer]

If you have limited dive time skip right to Gloucester or Rockport. RI is nice but nice dives finish last. You wll need 7 mm of Neoprene head to toe, a thermos of hot (well real warm) water and only one tank and a good attitude about cold water. It is not bone chilling but real close in October, I dive wet thru October but it's over after that for wet diving unless you are a super hero. Just throw a thread on this board when you are closer to your trip and you'll find plenty of groups still going out in October. :loki3:

Cape Ann diving is great. Better than RI, I will give you that. But RI is definitely warmer! Even in late october it will be 55-59 or so at the bottom. Cape Ann is already colder than that, I hit 52 at Cathedral rocks a couple weeks ago.

 

[warpig]

Frizz and I dove Cape Ann today (cape ann divers) and it was amazing. we did egg rock, and kettle rock/island(?). vis was great at 20-25 ft.

tons of ocean life, stripped bass, and lobsters... if you look for them.

i have nothing to compare them to, but cape ann divers was a great outfit. i'd go diving with them again anytime.

Cape Ann diving is great. Better than RI, I will give you that. But RI is definitely warmer! Even in late october it will be 55-59 or so at the bottom. Cape Ann is already colder than that, I hit 52 at Cathedral rocks a couple weeks ago.