Directions to Cape Ann Dive Sites

Please use good etiquette when visiting the dive sits of Cape Ann. Be considerate of the nearby private property and follow posted parking signs. The saying: take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles applies. Respect the underwater environment and attain the correct permits for lobstering. Try and keep your noise level down in the early hours and don't leave any trash on the beach. Enjoy it! Cape Ann is our version of Bonaire. Don't forget your dive flag and float.

Click a dive flag for directions to your next dive site.

 

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Plum Cove

Directions: Follow Rt. 93 N or Rt. 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Follow the signs to Rt. 126 S as you go through the first rotary (Grant Rotary) on Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 127 S for approximately 5 miles. Plum Cove will be on your left hand side opposite a baseball field.

Parking: Parking is permitted until 11AM. After that it is resident parking only.

Exposure: Northwest

Depth: Up to 20 feet at high tide.

Features: Plum Cove is a shallow dive with an easy sandy entry/exit. Large lobsters have been seen here. 

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Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. Stay on Rt. 127 N for approximately 6.2 miles. Folly Cove will be on your right hand side, just past two restaurants (one on the water and one on the road).

Parking: Resident parking only.

Exposure: Northeast.

Depth: Up to 60 feet towards the outsides of the cove.

Features: One of the best shore diving sites on Cape Ann; great for lobstering and underwater photography. Entry/Exit is over many small, moveable rocks that may be slippery – high tide and calm seas are your best bet. 

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Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. Stay on Rt. 127 N for approximately 5 miles. Take a right onto Philips Avenue (sign for R.W. Emerson Inn) and follow road right to the end of public access.

Parking: There is space for a few cars on the right. Because this is such a popular site it is best to car pool.

Exposure: East

Depth: Up to 80 ft deep.

Features: The depth and rocky entry/exit makes this dive an advanced site and it is therefore best dived during calm seas and high tide.  

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Back Beach

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. Stay on Rt. 127 N for approximately 3.7 miles. Take a right onto Beach Street; Back Beach will be on your left.

Parking: Metered parking. This is a very popular training site and can be very busy on weekends.

Exposure: East/Northeast

Depth: Up to 35 feet.

Features: Bathrooms, restaurants and plenty of parking make this site a great place to spend the day. The diving is good. Avoid climbing over the rocks on the beach by using the ramp on the far left.   

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Front Beach

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. Stay on Rt. 127 N for approximately 3.7 miles. Take a right onto Beach Street, pass Back Beach on your left and continue over the hill. Front Beach is on your left hand side.

Parking: Several metered parking spots available.

Exposure: East/Northeast

Depth: Up to 30 feet.

Features: Restrooms, snack bar and proximity to town makes this a great place for divers traveling with non-divers. Dive the left side of Front Beach (right side of Back Beach.)

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Old Garden Beach

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. Stay on Rt. 127 N until you come to a five way intersection. Follow Broadway Street until the end. Take a right, and then take your second left onto Norwood Ave (sign not clearly visible). Follow the road to the coast; Old Garden Beach will be on your left.

Parking: Don’t be tempted to park in the resident-only lot. Unload your gear and park along the side street a blocks or two up. Parking opposite the ramp is allowed during weekdays only.

Exposure: Northeast

Depth: Up to 35 feet.

Features: A really great dive! Sandy beach, with a few scattered rocks; makes for an easy entry/exit. Excellent site for lobstering. Often used as a training site and can be busy on the weekends. Watch out for boat traffic as you get further out. No night diving allowed and please, keep off the grass.  

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Loblolly Cove

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. You will see the Cape Ann Market parking lot (Star Market) on your right hand side (about a quarter mile down the road). Take the first right immediately after the parking lot. Take a left at the bottom of that road onto Rt.127A. Stay on Rt. 127A for approximately 2.8 miles till you see the Turks Head Inn. – take a right onto South Street. Take the very last left turn onto Penzance Road. Pebble Beach will be on your right hand side. Pass Pebble Beach and go straight until the road ends – about 0.5 miles.

Parking: Unfortunately the best place to park is at Pebble Beach.

Exposure: East

Depth: Up to 40 feet.

Features: A sandy entry from the center of the cove is a better option than over the rocky entry from the point. The drop-offs and crevices make a beautiful dive.  

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Pebble Beach

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 N. You will see the Cape Ann Market parking lot (Star Market) on your right hand side, about a quarter mile down the road. Take the first right immediately after the parking lot. Take a left at the bottom of that road onto Rt.127A. Stay on Rt. 127A for approximately 2.8 miles till you see the Turks Head Inn. – take a right onto South Street. Take the very last left turn onto Penzance Road. Pebble Beach will be on your right hand side.

Parking: Plenty of free parking available. Be careful not to get your car stuck in the sand on the shoulder of the road. 

Exposure: Southeast

Depth: Up to 35 feet.

Features: An easy entry/exit along the beach. Watch out for long shore currents. This is a great dive; starts off sandy, great lobstering over reef.

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Niles Beach

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Go straight through the first two sets of lights (East Main Street). Stay on this road for approximately 1.6 miles until you see Niles Beach on your right hand side. You can’t get lost!

Parking: Off-season parking OK for non-residents. In-season parking for residents only.

Exposure: West

Depth: Up to 25 feet.

Features: May be the only dive-able site during bad weather. A shallow, easy entry site with plenty of skates and moon snails.   

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Stage Fort Park

Directions:  Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 S. Stay on Rt. 127 S, pass over the drawbridge and take the next left into the park.

Parking: Free parking off-season. Small fee during the summer months.

Exposure: South

Depth: Up to 20 feet.

Features: Bathrooms, snack bar and other amenities during the in-season and the chance to see harbor seals on the rocks during the off-season.  

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Norman's Woe

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a right at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 S. Stay on Rt. 127 S for approximately 3.5 miles. Take a left onto Hesperus Avenue and continue for 1.3 miles passing Hammond Castle. After #134 you’ll find a small parking area with a fence on your left.

Parking: Space for a few cars.

Exposure: Southeast

Depth: Up to 35 feet.

Features: Lots of rocks, some slippery, makes this a tough entry/exit. The long walk from the parking lot may be worth it as the lobsters are plentiful down under.         

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Magnolia Rocks

Directions: Follow 93 N or 95 N to Rt. 128 N. Stay on Rt. 128 N as you go through the Grant and Blackburn rotaries. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Rt. 127 S. Stay on Rt. 127 S for approximately 3.5 miles. Take a left onto Hesperus Avenue and continue for 2.3 miles to the intersection with Lexington Avenue. Take a left onto Lexington Avenue, keep going till the end. Magnolia Rocks will be in front of you.

Parking: Resident only. Park on side-streets.

Exposure: Southeast

Depth: Up to 35 feet.

Features: This rocky entry/exit should be avoided during rough seas. A very popular lobstering site, but be careful of boat traffic. A wonderful dive! 

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