Nice Dive at Folly

[Rainer]

cap_bert and I did a nice 80 minute dive at Folly last night (east wall). Amazing amount of sea life out. Before we even dropped in, from the surface we saw a few skates, a bass, and a 4.5'-5' Atlantic torpedo ray (largest one I've seen; this thing was huge!). Rest of the dive brought more lobsters than I've ever seen (there was never a minute of the dive we weren't seeing at least one), plus large numbers of fish, including a small school of bass. Tons or skates (40+) and flounder (30+). Water at the end of the wall was cold (46F at 50'), but was much warmer closer to the beach (57F). Overall, a great full moon dive, and one of the best shore dives I've done on Cape Ann.

 

[ClamBake]

Thanks for the great post!! Sounds like it was an awesome night at Folly - still my favorite CA site.

I am sure there is more diving going on by baord members than is being reported. It would be nice to get more reports from more divers up on line. I'm guilty of not reporting dives myself, mainly because I figure everyone has "been there done that" and knows what the conditions generally are. However, I recently traded emails with a new board member living in Boston who had never heard of Folly Cove (got certified on the South Shore) and this week I was talking with someone about diving Canoe Beach in Nahant - a site I hadn't thought of in years.

So let's get more dive reports posted. A good way to share what some may take for granted and maybe prompt thoughts about local sites that we haven't been to in years.

- Rob

PS: I'm at the Topsfield Fair with the family this weekend, so my report will have to wait until next weekend!

 

[MASS-Diver]

Always wanted to be try Folly Cove as everyone seems to love it. What's the parking like? Is the entry tricky?

Thanks!

 

[Rainer]

For night dives and during the winter, we park right there. The parking is marked for residents only. During the busier months and for days, I drop off gear, then park over by the lobster restaurant (name?) that's 1/4 mile away (plenty of parking). Entry is variable. Last night was the lowest tide I've ever seen there and we had a bit of a trek over the large ankle breakers. If we could get in with doubles and a stage, though, I'm sure anyone can manage.

 

[pgdive]

Are you sure 1 stage was enough? What if you ran low on air in your doubles and had to surface from 25 feet. Man that was risky!

Paul

 

[Rainer]

Funny man. Bert had the stage, I had the doubles. Given Robyn stole my singles reg, I'm too lazy to change back and forth for shore dives, so just dive the doubles for everything. In any case, an 80 minute dive, with much of it spent around 50' does eat up a fair amount of gas. That said, this dive could have easily been done on singles (100cf or greater). If it hadn't been so cold (I tore my left dry glove awhile ago, so was diving wet gloves), we would have gone further around the left corner, so indeed, the extra gas would have been needed. Well, that was the plan at least.

 

[pdive]

park over by the lobster restaurant (name?) that's 1/4 mile away (plenty of parking).

Lobster Pool

 

[pgdive]

No Trimix??

 

[Rainer]

Whoa, slow down there. Who said no trimix? I mean, you've got to keep an EAD of <10'. You're just not safe, Paul.

 

[pgdive]

Phewww.That's more like it.