the seals of Isles of Shoals....

[Gidds]

Another way to see seals up close and personal: my first ever ocean kayaking experience in ME involved some "gastric turbulence" which in turn caused a seal to pop up right near my kayak to investigate all the noise and ensuing grossness. Ok kidding aside the NEADC does seal charters to the Isles of Shoals sometimes and there is a meeting tonight so I shall see if I can dig up some details about seal diving there.

Have you read the story of Andre the seal? Don't watch the film, they used a SEA LION to play Andre Anyway if I remember correctly seals sometimes find divers so interesting that they feel compelled to "hug" them. I really don't find the idea of a 200lb seal hugging me and knocking off my mask or stealing my reg or something very enchanting but seeing them swim underwater might be worth it.

 

[Dragon2115]

Why are the seals up on the rocks, to sun themselves. It's what they do. As for Great Whites in the waters of the Isles of Shoals, possible but not very likely. The reason they're spotted so regularly on the south side of Cape Cod is because of the Gulf Stream. You will find tropicals in RI waters starting around now but you won't find them at the Isles of Shoals for the same reason.

On divers approaching seals, from what I can gather from the regulations you are not supposed to approach them, but interaction is ok if they approach you. It seems very similar to the rules on encountering a Whale Shark in the Caribbean.

My wife and I are scheduled for a seal dive to the Isles of Shoals through PG Dive with Capt. Rob's out of Rye, NH on 9/11. We're looking forward to it very much. I just hope we aren't too early in the season for them. I know they're around in the winter, but not sure this boy's going to be in the water then.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

I've done many dives out at the Isle of Shoals. The last one being just two weeks ago. It was a morning dive at low-ish tide. There were many seals for both dives. Seal dives are and have been my favorite dives. It's not unusual to have seals tug at your fins and stay close. Best thing to do is get into an area with seals and just settle down. Let the seals come to you.

 

[Gidds]

The skinny on seals from the NEADC meeting: some folks who've gone on these seal dives recommend the low tide dives because apparently the seals prefer to fish at high tide and will be less visible. They also recommended getting in the water as quickly as possible and said the seals were around most of the time. And really I was kidding about the sharks!!!

 

[Scuba-QC]

Well Thanks for all these good informations but I couldn't find a charter from Rye NH to Newport RI that want to go out during the week...How sad is that!

Captain Rob...nope!
Cape Ann Divers...nope!
Ocean state...nope!

They only using their charter for the w-e only....

If you guys have any idea...this is the time!

Thanks

 

[Mark_N]

Well Thanks for all these good informations but I couldn't find a charter from Rye NH to Newport RI that want to go out during the week...How sad is that!

Captain Rob...nope!
Cape Ann Divers...nope!
Ocean state...nope!

They only using their charter for the w-e only....

If you guys have any idea...this is the time!

Thanks

Give Seafari a call, they are out of Kittery, ME
207-439-5068

 

[spectrum]

Have you read the story of Andre the seal?

No but I did make it up to Rockport one evening just in time to see Andre and Harry (?) Goodrich finish up thir show for the onlooklers. I also remember the anual new coverage of his tavels from Rockport to Boston.

This spring I had one check me out while skin diving at Middle Beach in Kennebunk, maybe 10 yards away.

Pete

 

[ScubaSarus]

Well Gidds the sharks were mentioned on my trip to the Ilse of Shoals by the Crew. I don't know what to make of it. Always knew odds were not great to confront a shark but I only see films of Great Whites eating seals.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Would the boat crew require a bigger tip if you guys did encounter sharks because now its a combo shark/seal dive.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Well Thanks for all these good informations but I couldn't find a charter from Rye NH to Newport RI that want to go out during the week...How sad is that!

Captain Rob...nope!
Cape Ann Divers...nope!
Ocean state...nope!

They only using their charter for the w-e only....

If you guys have any idea...this is the time!

Thanks

Can't comment about the MA/Seal charters, but since you were looking for charters in RI too try calling this guy:

http://www.oceanadventuresdivecharter.com/

He has a smaller boat and he might be willing to do a private charter for you on a weekday.