Recs for Woods Hole in July

[large_diver]

Luis,

Alan will probably have some more details since he dives there more often than I do.....

Yes -- the place you described is Garbage beach.

The 4-5 times I've been there, we've done a few different dives. The easiest is the one you described -- following the jetty that borders the right side of the beach. We usually gear up at our cars, and sit down on the little concrete "seat" at the base of the wall on the left side of the beach to get our fins on. We head straight out on the surface about 25 yards or so, then drop down and head to the right until we hit the jetty...then follow the jetty striaght out and back. Depths along the jetty stay < 30 feet until you get beyond the jetty, when things start to drop off. One thing to keep in mind about the jetty is that there are often people fishing from it during the summer....and also there is quite a bit of monofilament/lures/hooks, etc. on the rocks out there....

I've also dived more on the left side, out along the pier that borders the left side of the beach. Very pretty as you pass under the pier pilings. Things do tend to drop off more steeply here after you pass the end of the pier...reaching depths of 50-70 feet. You definitely want to pay attention to the tide/current....outgoing tide can start pulling at you if you get too far out.

-Chris

Alan,

Was driving through Woods hole yesterday and wanted to check out Garbage beach which you and others talk a lot about. I found a very small beach. (near MBL) and wondered if this was it. There was a small pier to left and Rocks to right
Also to left, was dock where the Ocean quest boat docks. (which kids love to go on)

If this is in fact the beach you dive from, do you go in on right side of beach and follow along rock wall/jetty?

Also, does it drop down fast? Just curious how far out you go to get to any depth. What is depth?

Regards,

Luis

 

[reefseal]

THANKS. Seems like more of a dive off season site when less boat traffic. Also, one to dive when slack.. Early AM or late in day probably better so can get parking spot by entry point?? Also curious if would ever get hassled by any authorities for diving there. (Hazard to boating..)

 

[adshepard]

Alan,

Was driving through Woods hole yesterday and wanted to check out Garbage beach which you and others talk a lot about. I found a very small beach. (near MBL) and wondered if this was it. There was a small pier to left and Rocks to right
Also to left, was dock where the Ocean quest boat docks. (which kids love to go on)

If this is in fact the beach you dive from, do you go in on right side of beach and follow along rock wall/jetty?

Also, does it drop down fast? Just curious how far out you go to get to any depth. What is depth?

Regards,

Luis

Luis -

Yes that is the beach. It does not drop down too fast. It slopes down fairly gently. At the end of the MBL pier you are looking at 20' or so of water, a bit deeper at the end of the rocky jetty. I usually do one dive under the pier pilings and down a bit following soome rock rubble and then do a second dive along the rock jetty. You can actually hit depths of 70' or so if you head further out but there are a couple of things to be aware of. First, as you noticed, there is heavy boat traffic once you are past the pier and rock jetty. Secondly currents can be very strong and unless you are very careful you can be swept off fairly easily.

I actually do not usually dive Garbage Beach in the summer because of the boat traffic, not to mention the crowds going to Cape Cod at that time too.

Nobody but the meter maids hassle you and they just want to make sure you've filled the meters with quarters.

DSDO

Alan

 

[large_diver]

I haven't been diving there in the mid-late summer, so can't answer about boat traffic. Most of my dives there have been in April-May.

I guess first thing in the morning would be better to get parking (bring quarters for the meters). Again, no "high summer" experience there to know whether parking at that end of town gets tight or not.

No hassle from the local authorities -- just lots of curious tourists ;-) The police usually drive by at least once when we're there and they are usually very friendly, just asking how we're doing.

-Chris