reefseal
Contributor
Did 3 fabulous dives yesterday PM off Cape Ann. High tide was at 5:35. Foretasted winds were light and variable from South, South West, seas 1 to 2 feet. Temps in upper 60's.
When arrived, seas were dead calm. Chose to do one long dive at Folly on doubles and a and depending on how felt, 1 to 2 at Cath rocks when tide was higher.
For dive 1, I arrived as two others were suiting up. I managed to quickly get suited up and in before them. The vis looked great topside but as descended, a bit murky along the wall (5-10 feet) but it improved much better beyond the point to 20-25 feet. On way out to point, I passed the resident Northern Red Anemone and it was closed up so I guess it was full from a previous feeding. Did manage to come across a lot of Winter Flounder. I really cruised out far beyond the point following the edge of rocks and sand. Followed impressive pink granite boulders and checked out crevices, overhangs. Definitely chilly beyond the point and temp drop very noticeable immediately. It was nice returning to the wall to warm up on leisure return back to entry point. Bonus was finding a 5 lb weight someone dropped.
Stats: In at 2:22, 99 min BT. Max depth 74.
Temps 51 degrees surface temp, (39-41 at depth)
Dives 2 & 3 - Cath Rocks
By time arrived as tide was coming on high tide so able to do easy giant stride in. The entry point was very slippery and mossy so had to tread carefully. Upon entry, my flag fell apart. I managed to gather all the parts except the yellow float which quickly drifted away and I wasn't about to go after it. Nothing I could do so I planted the flag on a rock near the entry point hoping environmental police/Gloucester PD wouldn't come. I figured could explain flag broke apart?
I headed in usual NE direction and dropped down to a line of pots. I made note of one of the pots so would know point entered and followed the chain of pots counting the pots along the way Came across good critters, winter flounder, a giant yellow Sea Raven and cool Red Anemone's. I fed one of the ones as found a nearby small urchin.
The vis was murky as descended (15 feet?) but improved beyond 30 feet to 30-35 feet plus. It was a fabulous dive diving among the huge ledges, pink granite formations. I would have loved to have done this as first dive with doubles but didn't want to enter/exit mid tide.
Stats on Dives 2 and 3
In at 4:57, 53 min bottom time, 58 max depth 53 surface temp, 39-41 at depth
in at 6:23 43 min bottom time, 58 max depth
A good way to spend almost 3 1/2 hours underwater
Topped off great day w/ Kelly's roast beef and Choc Frappe on way home.
When arrived, seas were dead calm. Chose to do one long dive at Folly on doubles and a and depending on how felt, 1 to 2 at Cath rocks when tide was higher.
For dive 1, I arrived as two others were suiting up. I managed to quickly get suited up and in before them. The vis looked great topside but as descended, a bit murky along the wall (5-10 feet) but it improved much better beyond the point to 20-25 feet. On way out to point, I passed the resident Northern Red Anemone and it was closed up so I guess it was full from a previous feeding. Did manage to come across a lot of Winter Flounder. I really cruised out far beyond the point following the edge of rocks and sand. Followed impressive pink granite boulders and checked out crevices, overhangs. Definitely chilly beyond the point and temp drop very noticeable immediately. It was nice returning to the wall to warm up on leisure return back to entry point. Bonus was finding a 5 lb weight someone dropped.
Stats: In at 2:22, 99 min BT. Max depth 74.
Temps 51 degrees surface temp, (39-41 at depth)
Dives 2 & 3 - Cath Rocks
By time arrived as tide was coming on high tide so able to do easy giant stride in. The entry point was very slippery and mossy so had to tread carefully. Upon entry, my flag fell apart. I managed to gather all the parts except the yellow float which quickly drifted away and I wasn't about to go after it. Nothing I could do so I planted the flag on a rock near the entry point hoping environmental police/Gloucester PD wouldn't come. I figured could explain flag broke apart?
I headed in usual NE direction and dropped down to a line of pots. I made note of one of the pots so would know point entered and followed the chain of pots counting the pots along the way Came across good critters, winter flounder, a giant yellow Sea Raven and cool Red Anemone's. I fed one of the ones as found a nearby small urchin.
The vis was murky as descended (15 feet?) but improved beyond 30 feet to 30-35 feet plus. It was a fabulous dive diving among the huge ledges, pink granite formations. I would have loved to have done this as first dive with doubles but didn't want to enter/exit mid tide.
Stats on Dives 2 and 3
In at 4:57, 53 min bottom time, 58 max depth 53 surface temp, 39-41 at depth
in at 6:23 43 min bottom time, 58 max depth
A good way to spend almost 3 1/2 hours underwater
Topped off great day w/ Kelly's roast beef and Choc Frappe on way home.
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The rock just below the surface covered with seaweed, was bare then but VERY slippery. My buddy almost fell and he was forewarned. Great spot to dive in spite of the rocks.
