Somes sound Maine anyone?

[costi]

In 2004 my wife and I were big into skindiving and did a week of camping and skin diving from Schoodic to Deere Isle. We did not get into Somes Sound. It was on the list but we didn't find a good access point.

I can say without a doubt that in simple skin dives of 60-120 minutes we were seeing more amazing sea life than I can find in most hour long scuba dives in the southern part of the state. We're planning a scuba trip for this summer.

I love beach diving here in Southern Maine but the sea life is certainly turned up a notch down east. I will also say that while Nubble is a nice site there are plenty of hidden jewels that I enjoy sharing.

Pete

Pete,
I did notice on the map that there is a boat launch at one end of the Sound.....don't know if it is available for diver access or how much boater action it gets.
Give me a call if you plan on doing a trip to there.....if I have any vacation time left after this Northeaster gets done with us!
Bob

 

[spectrum]

Pete,
I did notice on the map that there is a boat launch at one end of the Sound.....don't know if it is available for diver access or how much boater action it gets.
Give me a call if you plan on doing a trip to there.....if I have any vacation time left after this Northeaster gets done with us!
Bob

That was my plan Bob. I'd like to catch some of the freshwater you were trying to get us to last summer. Years ago we stayed at a campground in Orland that would be e decent base of operations. Nice and quiet and probably worth a few dives right from there!

 

[spectrum]

Hidden jewels? Which hidden jewels? Care to share?

St. Ann's Beach in Kennebunkport for openers....

Complete your profile and I'll add to the list, I don't tell this stuff to just anyone you know.

Pete

 

[costi]

Hidden Jewels? Can I point you to the Portland Quarry. I get first dibs as soon as it opens in May

ScubaSarus,
I haven't heard of a Portland Quarry used for diving. I'd be interested to know more about it as I'm always looking for a new site. Thanks,
Bob

 

[spectrum]

ScubaSarus,
I haven't heard of a Portland Quarry used for diving. I'd be interested to know more about it as I'm always looking for a new site. Thanks,
Bob

It's in Portland CT. I dove there one evening last summer with dbg40.

 

[costi]

It's in Portland CT. I dove there one evening last summer with dbg40.

Ah, the light comes on. The only quarry I could think of in Portland,Maine that is open to the public is (or was) used mostly by rock climbers...and there was no water at the bottom!
By the way, speaking of diving in Maine, Kettle cove had 25 -30 ft of vis. on Sunday just before the storm hit.
I didn't want to solo so I just did a snorkel. A group of students were out near the point. They appreciated the van with the hot shower after!
Thanks, Bob

 

[spectrum]

There had been a nice spell of calm seas going into the weekend so I don't doubt it. You should have called me, I might just have made a dive. I had some stuff to do but was open to persuasion

Pete

 

[spectrum]

I just wanted to kick this thread back into life in hopes of getting info on shore diving in Somes Sound, we're heading up in a week for a week of diving.

Pete

 

[ScubaSarus]

LOOks like your it. You'll be the one to dive it a report back topside pics and all. Just be careful as its deep and a very busy place.

The centermost valley on Mount Desert Island is connected to the sea. This deep valley, known as Somes Sound, represents the only fjord-like feature on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. The unique features of Somes Sound include its extreme depth (50 m/150 ft.), a shallow sill at its entrance (10 m/30 ft deep), and a hanging valley waterfall on the west shore (Man o' War Brook).

Misc. Exerpt:

Another geologically fascinating site that I wish to explore more is Somes Sound. It is the only true fiord in
America. It is located off Route 198 on Sargent Drive. There is another entrance off of Route 102 but it is at
least a half- mile or more of a trek on a rough dirt path though the woods. The fiord goes down a couple of hundred
feet and offers some neat wall diving. Currents can be strong depending upon where you enter, best to
dive at slack tide.

This guy dove it - pics

http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5019884/posts/default

Looks exciting though and sure enoug Ide take te pluge in a drysuit though.

I hope you have a nice safe dive. Dont dive Thunder Hole by accident.

 

[spectrum]

The old town dump on Sargent drive seems like the ticket.

Thunder hole, now that would be some surge!

Pete