Suggestions for new sites in MA and RI

[matt_unique]

I have my own boat moored in Salem Harbor Mass. My favorite boat dive sites in this area are the Poling, Halfway Rock, and Saturday Night Ledge. I just dove Paddock Rock mid December with Cape Anne Divers. For some reason I have never been to that site before or even heard much about it. We had 4-5' vis this day but the topography looked interesting. I look forward to exploring that site more this next season. I have had my boat/access to these sites for 4 years.

I'm looking for suggestions for other boat dive sites in this area that you enjoy.

I also trailer my boat down to Point Judith RI to go over to Block Island and to dive the U-853. I was able to make 8 dives on the U-853 last summer which was great. I know there are tons more sites in the Block Island Sound so I would appreciate your suggestions for your favorite sites.

I can share information on the above listed sites if you are interested as well.

Thanks

--Matt

 

[PeaceDog]

Matt:

There is no better overall dive site in New England than Halfway Rock. The reason it's probably remained so excellent is its offshore access. I know I may sound a bit unthawed by making such a bold statement, but I'll put it up against any temperate-water wall dive in the world. It's a long haul diving it with Cape Ann Divers, but I'd imagine it's a short run from where you're docked.

Someone else could help you with GPS numbers - I'd like to get them myself.
Me and my dive buddy - who just bought a 30' SIlverton - are planning on doing a lot of multi-day trips to those sites.

 

[Tall Tails]

Try the following:

1. Great Egg Rock in Manchester
2. Kettle Island
3. Outside of Bakers Island

I keep my boat in Beverly, dive these sites and more. North shore has unlimited amount of awesome sites. I also agree with Halfway Rock.

Good luck!

Jon

I have my own boat moored in Salem Harbor Mass. My favorite boat dive sites in this area are the Poling, Halfway Rock, and Saturday Night Ledge. I just dove Paddock Rock mid December with Cape Anne Divers. For some reason I have never been to that site before or even heard much about it. We had 4-5' vis this day but the topography looked interesting. I look forward to exploring that site more this next season. I have had my boat/access to these sites for 4 years.

I'm looking for suggestions for other boat dive sites in this area that you enjoy.

I also trailer my boat down to Point Judith RI to go over to Block Island and to dive the U-853. I was able to make 8 dives on the U-853 last summer which was great. I know there are tons more sites in the Block Island Sound so I would appreciate your suggestions for your favorite sites.

I can share information on the above listed sites if you are interested as well.

Thanks

--Matt

 

[large_diver]

One site I've been to a few times with CAD is Pickett's Ledge. You head south along the coast from the CAD marina -- I would guess the site is a mile or less off-shore.

Not an incredibly deep site (60 foot max), but great underwater topography with all kinds of rocky peaks and valleys, mini drop-offs, etc.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Matt,

Have you checked out www.wreckhunter.net? Lots of wrecks with the numbers to find them.

Also, how do like SNL? How are the conditions in general? Max depth is around 150' right? I've been meaning to get out there. I love Paddock rock and often do it as a second dive after the Poling with CAD. I've only dove 1/2way a few times, but, I thought it was great.


For non-wrecks, I hear 3 and 1/2 Fathom Ledge off Boston is a great spot that might be worth the trip.

 

[matt_unique]

Matt,

Have you checked out www.wreckhunter.net? Lots of wrecks with the numbers to find them.

Also, how do like SNL? How are the conditions in general? Max depth is around 150' right? I've been meaning to get out there. I love Paddock rock and often do it as a second dive after the Poling with CAD. I've only dove 1/2way a few times, but, I thought it was great.


For non-wrecks, I hear 3 and 1/2 Fathom Ledge off Boston is a great spot that might be worth the trip.

Wreck Hunter is a great site. I plan to check out and research some of these sites.

SNL is a good site. I would recommend you dive with a reel the first several times. The topography can be confusing. I had others tell me the same before my first dive. I am usually quite good with uw nav but I did miss the mooring line once. I have never seen depths more than 120' at SNL but others have said you can reach 150. There is usually a mooring line at the ledge. I had to drive about 80 yards away from this mooring to find depths of 140-150' around this area. Perhaps there is a deep crevice or such that I have not yet found.

Yeah I was on CAD for the first time last month and they stopped at Paddock after the Poling. I love finding new sites to explore.

Thanks for the reply.

--Matt

 

[reefseal]

All you folks with boats! So tired of shore diving.. If ever need a buddy.. (hint, hint..) I'll be dive your dive sherpa and help schlep gear, pay for gas and won't be an jerk and ditch you as you clean up boat..

Some day will get me own boat. Not in cards right now as too many weekend activities with kids. Would be hard to justify. It's charters for now when you can get on them (popular sites fill up quick)

One site would love to try from boat is Halibut point. The granite walls must be awesome but not looking forward to hauling gear to and from the site from parking lot. (Wicked long walk) Cathedral rock is also nice from boat.

Love Paddock & 1/2 way rock. Anything like it is awesome.

If ever go out of Boston, I've dove the Eastern end of outer Brewster island. Neat terrain.

Luis

 

[Murphdog]

Hi, I grew up in Massachusetts but have been living in Southern California for 14 years. I have a question for you New Englander's about lobster hunting. In California we can take Spiny Lobsters from the end of Sept. to the end of March. They have to be a certain size and can only be taken by hand. The limit is 7 per day. You can get them during the day but they come out at night which is when we generally go.

I was talking to a guy out here from Newport, Rhode island who said that you can only take lobsters in New Endgland during the day. I found this hard to believe. Could someone please tell me what the rules are in New England for taking bugs. Thanks
Tim

 

[Tall Tails]

Yes, you can only take during the day. They must be a certain size, and you can keep as many as you want for consumption only. You need a non-commercial lobster permit which is only $35. It is usually not too hard to come home with dinner during the day if you know where to go. Sometimes it is slim pickins though. Ifyou have the permit, you caan also fissh 10 trapss .

Jon

Hi, I grew up in Massachusetts but have been living in Southern California for 14 years. I have a question for you New Englander's about lobster hunting. In California we can take Spiny Lobsters from the end of Sept. to the end of March. They have to be a certain size and can only be taken by hand. The limit is 7 per day. You can get them during the day but they come out at night which is when we generally go.

I was talking to a guy out here from Newport, Rhode island who said that you can only take lobsters in New Endgland during the day. I found this hard to believe. Could someone please tell me what the rules are in New England for taking bugs. Thanks
Tim

 

[adshepard]

Matt:

There is no better overall dive site in New England than Halfway Rock. The reason it's probably remained so excellent is its offshore access. I know I may sound a bit unthawed by making such a bold statement, but I'll put it up against any temperate-water wall dive in the world...

I've done Halfway Rock and I've done the Old Steamship Pier in Eastport, Maine and there is absolutely no comparison between the two sites. Eastport's marine life is more abundant and twice the size of any site in the Cape Ann area. Don't get me wrong Halfway Rock is nice but maybe a quote from Andy Martinez, author of "Marine Life of the North Atlantic", can sum it up best. A few years a go I was diving with Andy up in Cape Ann and told him I was heading for Eastport to dive and asked him what to expect. He said, "Comparing marine life in Eastport to Cape Ann is like comparing Cape Ann to diving in a swimming pool."


He was so right. The 20 foot plus tides and high nutrient flow from the Bay of Fundy make Eastport and the surrounding area the premier dive area for New England. Only problem is Eastport is a six hour drive from Boston. However in my opinion well worth the time and effort to get there. In fact the area is so good for diving that we are purchasing a summer/retirement home in the area.

Another local professional underwater photographer, Jonathan Bird, thinks so much of diving in Eastport that he owns a home right on the water there. His book of North Atlantic marine life contains photos that are over 75% from the Eastport area.

DSDO

Alan