Boston area dive conditions?

[battles2a5]

Hi all, I'm contemplating a move back up to Boston (originally from Braintree). I've been trying to find an idea of what conditions to expect year-round. Can anyone give me a breakdown of water temps in the North Shore, Bay, Cape, and Nantucket Sound by season or maybe just point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!
Ryan

 

[reefseal]

Most of us pretty much dive dry most of the year. The waters are warmer further south on Cape Cod, RI. In summer, can get upper 60s there. The warmest on Cape Ann is upper 50s. Can get by diving with a good wetsuit through Sept/October. Water doesn't really warm up until late may. Right now, temps in Cape ann are upper 40s. The best shore diving is North shore (Cape Ann) and RI (Jamestown area) Great dive sites in islands outside of Boston harbor but by boat.

 

[battles2a5]

Ok, that sounds bearable. I dive dry year-round for freshwater (caves, lakes, etc.) and most of the year offshore. I'm more a wreck junkie but it would be nice to have some good shore dives instead of having to hit a quarry

Thanks for the info.

 

[reefseal]

Not much for wreck's here like you have down there There is the poling off Cape Ann and U Boat off RI.. you'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the good shore dives off here. All within an hour, hour and 1/2 drive of Boston. Cape Nedick (Nubble Light house) in ME and Ft. Weatheril in Jamestown RI are the furthest. There are a couple sites worth diving on Cape (Sandwich Town Beach and Garbage beach) Definately check out Cape Ann Divers website for descriptions on shore dives, info on charters.

 

[Maine Diver]

Maine has some very nice shore dives. The temps are similar to Cape Ann. Check out Pete's site for great details.

SCUBA Knowtes, Southern Maine Shore Dive Site Guide

 

[Rainer]

Ryan, see my post on divematrix about Boston/MA diving (I dived there for a few years in grad school).

Diving around Boston? - The Dive Matrix Forums

 

[battles2a5]

Thanks, M8. That's what I was looking for. I thought there was a lot more wreck diving around Boston? Did you ever make it up to the St. Lawrence?

 

[Rainer]

Tons of wrecks in MA. For some info, see:

Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions - SHIPWRECKS
shipwreck list massachusetts bay
Hunting New England Shipwrecks

Gentile also did a recent book on the (Northern) MA wrecks that is worth a look.

I did my Tech 1 with Bob Sherwood in the St. Lawrence. Amazing diving there as well (with better vis and warmer water than MA!).

If you have any specific questions, just let me know.

 

[Gilldiver]

Things to keep in mind.

1) Just about every boat North of NY/NJ will be a 6-Pack. They are Taxi's only, Don't expect showers, toliets, lunch, compressors, lots of space, etc.
2) With very few exceptions, The Dive boat season is from Mid-late May through late October. Heather and Dave's boat the Gauntlet in MA and the Atlantis out of New London are the only two boats that come to mind running this winter. Cape Ann Divers may also have one running.
3) Most of the boats have a fairly standard set of wrecks which are within 20 miles of port. If you want to branch out expect to have to do your own charter, or find frineds with a good boat.
4)In the summer, Expect to loose 1/3-1/2 of your weekends to weather. In the winter expect it to be a crap shoot every dive day.
5) Northeast boats anchor, don't expect to do any drift diving. This means jon lines for the up line when the current is running. Remember, FOG happends, don't be a search target in a 50 foot Nantucket Fog.
6) The water temp is colder North of the elbow of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Bay is always cold
7) Good vis is anything over 15 feet.

 

[battles2a5]

Things to keep in mind.

1) Just about every boat North of NY/NJ will be a 6-Pack. They are Taxi's only, Don't expect showers, toliets, lunch, compressors, lots of space, etc.
2) With very few exceptions, The Dive boat season is from Mid-late May through late October. Heather and Dave's boat the Gauntlet in MA and the Atlantis out of New London are the only two boats that come to mind running this winter. Cape Ann Divers may also have one running.
3) Most of the boats have a fairly standard set of wrecks which are within 20 miles of port. If you want to branch out expect to have to do your own charter, or find frineds with a good boat.
4)In the summer, Expect to loose 1/3-1/2 of your weekends to weather. In the winter expect it to be a crap shoot every dive day.
5) Northeast boats anchor, don't expect to do any drift diving. This means jon lines for the up line when the current is running. Remember, FOG happends, don't be a search target in a 50 foot Nantucket Fog.
6) The water temp is colder North of the elbow of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Bay is always cold
7) Good vis is anything over 15 feet.

Thanks Gilldiver. Sounds like your odds of diving are about the same as ours. It will be nice to be driving distance from a boat and knowing the dive got canned before I leave the house as opposed to driving 4 hours and checking into the hotel before I find out! Everything in NC is anchored as well, so that's easy.

Thanks again for the info....