Folly dusk/night dive 8/13

[reefseal]

Fencingfish and I did an after work dusk/night dive at Folly. We initially sought out Old Garden Beach. When we got there, the waves had slight ripple and looking at the water, the vis topside didn't look too encouraging, everything seemed stirred up. So we checked out Folly. Folly too looked the same from where you park. There were two divers that had just exited from bug hunting and said the vis was OK. Sure enough once we got in, it was so we probably would have been fine diving OGB.

We dove the west side. Upon entry, the water was very warm. low 60s. Vis about 20 feet except when we came across several noticable thermoclines. Really obstructed the views. Great critter sightings. The coolest were two HUGE lobzillas. One, I noticed out of corner of my eye was about 15 pounds. I was wondering why that big rock was moving and realized it was a big bug strolling amongst the kelp right in the open. I literally couldn't pick it up with one hand and needed the other hand for the light. Wanted to turn over to see if FM or Male. The other one we saw later in the dive was not as big but had some impressively huge claws. We had a couple vibrant Sea Anemones, one of which we fed an urchin to. Saw a Sea Raven, lots of Cod, Pollak and had great squid sightings on way back. On our return back, we passed two other divers heading out.

We did an 85 min dive, pretty much kept it shallow (above 30 fsw) just crusing up and down along the wall, venturing into the little coves, alcoves making good time to the point before heading back.

Fencingfish had dove Folly a lot lately and we were initially looking to give other sites a try. Coming back from the dive, we both commented how great a dive it was and I reallized you can never dive Folly at night too much.

 

[fencingfish]

Definitely one of the better night dives I've been on! Turned off my light on the way back for a few minutes to play with the bioluminescence. We saw two good sized squid in the shallows as we were heading in. As we were coming back in about 13 feet of water (we are usually looking at the sand and the bugs and skates) there was a great moment when reefseal looked up and came face to face with a small school of tiny squid. Reefseal wasn't shocked enough to ink, but the entire school inked and jetted away at once, except for one little guy who didn't get the message hanging out in my light. Once he saw me, though, he was gone in a little cloud.

 

[Cecil]

Very cool, is the diving ever bad at Folly? Very cool about the squid, I've only seen them once in New England and it was the west side of Folly.

 

[Mike W]

Great report on Folly. I have a few questions. Are there any problems with the dive flag situation at Folly Cove? I haven't been up to Cape Ann in awhile and was thinking of doing a night dive at Folly. Has anyone seen any blue spotted coronetfish at Folly?
I've heard of some seen there and would love to see some.

 

[reefseal]

I have yet to be hassled about not having 1 flag per diver. I'll fight it and refer to Mass state law. Never have seen that fish anywhere diving in New England.