Tips for diving Magnolia Rocks

[Lursxt]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning on diving Magnolia Rocks for the first time this weekend (with my buddy who's experience is equal to mine). This will be my first more difficult (not a sandy shore) entry. I have 25 dives under my belt and usually dive Pebble, Folly or OGB. Looking at the tides for this weekend, mid-tide (going up) will be around 8am which is when I'm planning on splashing. Any tips on what to expect (current), how to enter the water, parking, etc, would be greatly appreciated. I will not dive the site if the wind is from the east and/or waves are too high. Thanks!

 

[lord1234]

first tip...don't piss off the guy who "owns" part of the rocks supposedly...

 

[bobby-in-mass]

great first tip...
the guy in the nice house is a awesome guy..just keep the noise down...remove all rubbish and be nice...
there is off street parking on the side street across from the rocks..
entry and exit is best to the left side ( my opinion)
some what rough with the waves...just take your time...
the boats come within 200-300' of shore..
and dont forget The Catch bag and Liscense .....plenty of Bugs there
good luck dive safe...
p.s
I will also be there sat 8 am
Bob

 

[dave4868]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning on diving Magnolia Rocks for the first time this weekend (with my buddy who's experience is equal to mine). This will be my first more difficult (not a sandy shore) entry. I have 25 dives under my belt and usually dive Pebble, Folly or OGB. Looking at the tides for this weekend, mid-tide (going up) will be around 8am which is when I'm planning on splashing. Any tips on what to expect (current), how to enter the water, parking, etc, would be greatly appreciated. I will not dive the site if the wind is from the east and/or waves are too high. Thanks!

If you're going in the morning, it looks like the tide will be ebbing, since high tide is around 4:40am on the 21st.

http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi?site=Rockport%2C+Massachusetts

I've been there once, but I remember the popular entry/exit was a sloping rock which was very slippery near low tide. Maybe there are better spots.

Since you've traversed the greased bowling balls at Folly, you'll know how to handle it.... I use my flounder spear as a cane.

Marine report:

http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/coastal/an/anz250.txt

Looks like the predicted moderate south winds all week will possibly create some residual swell to deal with on Saturday, when the wind direction is predicted to change to NW.

Good advice from the others about not being a nuisance to the residents. Applies everywhere, of course, but especially true at Magnolia since the homes are so close.

Enjoy!

Dave C

 

[Homunculus]

park on lexington street or road, enter on the left side at high tide. if you need to go to the bathroom, just drive up on Lexington and you'll see Dunkin Donut on the right side - they have nice and clean bathroom.
it's not as difficult as you think.

 

[Lursxt]

When entering, do you just kind of walk in and swim out a few feet and then don your fins or do you put them on before and giant stride in?

 

[lord1234]

walk in and put on your fins.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Thats intersting. My suggestion is after the dive, take a plastic bag and go around picking up any near by litter even if its not yours. The locals may appreciate that and warm up to the visitors there for diving.

I used to do that while bodyboarding at a private beach (near the old Atlantis) in Misquamicut only to have the owner allow me to park next to the beach and not move my car after 9am and have his lot attendent charge me less when going there after 9am. What goes around comes around. My jaw dropped when he told me not to move my car once.

Actually that may be a good MO for all future diving in Cape Anne; its hard to get mad at someone who cleans up the environment.

 

[dave4868]

Thats intersting. My suggestion is after the dive, take a plastic bag and go around picking up any near by litter even if its not yours. The locals may appreciate that and warm up to the visitors there for diving.

I used to do that while bodyboarding at a private beach (near the old Atlantis) in Misquamicut only to have the owner allow me to park next to the beach and not move my car after 9am and have his lot attendent charge me less when going there after 9am. What goes around comes around. My jaw dropped when he told me not to move my car once.

Actually that may be a good MO for all future diving in Cape Anne; its hard to get mad at someone who cleans up the environment.

Excellent advice to be a good ambassador. I do the same thing.

It may be particularly helpful in mending relations in Rockport, where parking and trash and noise have become a real nuisance for locals.

Dave C

 

[jerry_h]

go by boat