NELD Maine Chapter Night Dive

[spectrum]

I'm pleased to report that the entire Maine chapter of the NELD (a 2 of us) enjoyed a night dive last evening at Colony Beach in Kennebunkport. We were joined by an additional SB Menber who has not yet enroled in the NELD forum.

We were coming towards low tide so the depth maxed out at 17 feet but the 66 minute dive was very relaxing. Everyone was diving wet and exited the 51F water comfortable. Changing back to street clothes was something of an adventure but all survived.

Spotted were lots of little "6" lobster, I saw one big one but not quite a lobzilla, moon snails in full bloom, a few living sand dollars, some small slender nearly clear 3" fish about 3/8 in diameter (any ideas?) they were everywhere and seemed to like the lights. Sea ravens (some plump) and several little baby sculpin, 2-3 inches long, little shrimp like things and all the little tiny critters that flock to the lights.

When we popped up for a bearings check at the turn point we were beyond the mouth of the cove and the water was flat. Visibility as very good, I'd say I could look ahead a good 15 feet with my PT Shockwave LED. Everyone exited with plenty of air. All in all it was an excellent late season night dive. I'm sure it will inspire all of us to make time for many more next season. Maybe even 1 more this year!

Pete

 

[Jeff Toorish]

I'm sure it will inspire all of us to make time for many more next season. Maybe even 1 more this year!

Pete

As soon as I warm up!

It is always remarkable how much more you can sometimes see at night, and the variety of animals! It was a great dive.

Jeff

 

[texdiveguy]

So you guys diving shore line or do you get off shore to the islands? I have heard/read some good diving is around Maines various islands? Do you dive thru the winter and are you diving dry suits? Sorry for all the questions,,,,,just someday would like to get back downeast and dive. Been 22 years since I was in Maine (as a visitor)--way to long.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

So you guys diving shore line or do you get off shore to the islands? I have heard/read some good diving is around Maines various islands? Do you dive thru the winter and are you diving dry suits? Sorry for all the questions,,,,,just someday would like to get back downeast and dive. Been 22 years since I was in Maine (as a visitor)--way to long.

Tex,

This was a shoreline dive. Although I know divers who go offshore to the islands. They seem to like the islands. I believe we were all in wetsuits last night, although there are certainly a lot of dry suit divers around here...some dive dry all year long. For me, to dive much longer this year will require a wetsuit which I am planning to buy.

Jeff

 

[texdiveguy]

Tex,

This was a shoreline dive. Although I know divers who go offshore to the islands. They seem to like the islands. I believe we were all in wetsuits last night, although there are certainly a lot of dry suit divers around here...some dive dry all year long. For me, to dive much longer this year will require a wetsuit which I am planning to buy.

Jeff

Jeff,,, sounds good.....have a question.....how are the water conditions on your typ. shore diver in terms of vis/depth/temp........what part of the coastline do you mostly dive? If you ever make it to north Texas would be happy to show you are watering holes.

 

[spectrum]

Jeff,,, sounds good.....have a question.....how are the water conditions on your typ. shore diver in terms of vis/depth/temp........what part of the coastline do you mostly dive? If you ever make it to north Texas would be happy to show you are watering holes.

I've been divinq w/Jeff so here my take....

The basic Maine shore dive usually has visiblity in the 15 foot range give or take 5 feet, it can exceed that according to some. I have been in water where my console was hard to read, with a light!

It's unusual to get deeper than 40 feet on a high tide dive though there are some sites that can go very deep. Points of entry are often over rocky surfeaces and are best made near high tide to avoid traversing slippery tidal rocks and to enjoy a little extra depth. Many of the sites can be enjoyed by following or keeping close to the rocky shoreline so the depth of high tide lets you stay below most of the surge. The night dive we made was done at a sand beach because the tides was low at exit time.

Our warmest water arrives in late and July and degrades very slowly until October first, then cools a little faster. My warmest (ocean) dive held in the low 60s out to a 30 foot depth. Upper 50s were more common. After some of last weeks high seas we have a pretty consistent 51F top to bottom. By the dead of winter the seawater will flirt with 32F

Dives are made from public beaches some of which have limited access during peak tourist season. They range from secluded rocky places to sand "tourists" beaches that are home to many underwater ledges. The available guide books only scratch the surface in my opinion. There are also state park facillities.

My diving so far has been mostly in the southern counties, near Portland. From skin-diving experince you can shave 10 degrees F (or more) of these temperatures by venturing up the coast to Acadia National Park. The colder water seems to harbor bigger and more intersting critters.

We also do some freshwater diving. Surface temps can reach the low 80sF. We actually did a swimsuit dive in late July at a local pond and enjoyed 76F water down to the thermocline around 20 feet. At the best of times a 40' freshwater dive can be enjoyed in a 5mm fullsuit and beanie.

Please consider the invitation mutual should you visit Vacationland.

Pete

 

[texdiveguy]

I've been divinq w/Jeff so here my take....

The basic Maine shore dive usually has visiblity in the 15 foot range give or take 5 feet, it can exceed that according to some. I have been in water where my console was hard to read, with a light!

It's unusual to get deeper than 40 feet on a high tide dive though there are some sites that can go very deep. Points of entry are often over rocky surfeaces and are best made near high tide to avoid traversing slippery tidal rocks and to enjoy a little extra depth. Many of the sites can be enjoyed by following or keeping close to the rocky shoreline so the depth of high tide lets you stay below most of the surge. The night dive we made was done at a sand beach because the tides was low at exit time.

Our warmest water arrives in late and July and degrades very slowly until October first, then cools a little faster. My warmest (ocean) dive held in the low 60s out to a 30 foot depth. Upper 50s were more common. After some of last weeks high seas we have a pretty consistent 51F top to bottom. By the dead of winter the seawater will flirt with 32F

Dives are made from public beaches some of which have limited access during peak tourist season. They range from secluded rocky places to sand "tourists" beaches that are home to many underwater ledges. The available guide books only scratch the surface in my opinion. There are also state park facillities.

My diving so far has been mostly in the southern counties, near Portland. From skin-diving experince you can shave 10 degrees F (or more) of these temperatures by venturing up the coast to Acadia National Park. The colder water seems to harbor bigger and more intersting critters.

We also do some freshwater diving. Surface temps can reach the low 80sF. We actually did a swimsuit dive in late July at a local pond and enjoyed 76F water down to the thermocline around 20 feet. At the best of times a 40' freshwater dive can be enjoyed in a 5mm fullsuit and beanie.

Please consider the invitation mutual should you visit Vacationland.
Pete

Thanks Pete for ALL the great info. on diving the wonderful state of Maine. Really sounds sweet,,,, I am a dry suit diver and in early 06' will complete my Ice Diver course at 9000ft. in Colorado. Safe diving you guys!! Alan