More Diving Locations - Local Dive Sites in NH & Maine

All Dive Sites marked with an asterisk (*) are Seafari Dive sites

*The Wall & Lovers Leap - Isles of Shoals
Location: South East side of Star Island
Special features: Rock wall with a number of interesting formations, overhangs, crevices and large boulders.
Access: only by boat. - Do not leave boat unattended.
Hazards: Lobster boats & fishing boats trolling lines to the bottom. from Depth: 20+' to 100'
Currents: Some tidal current and sea surge in shallows.
Restrictions: None.

*Memorial Cove (Powerhouse Cove) - Isles of Shoals
Location: off Star Island
Special features: Varied bottom from sandy to large rocks. Underwater memorial to diver Jay Lewis, diver who lost his life to a boating accident.
Access: only by boat.
Hazards: Lobster and fishing boats.
Depth: 20 - 60'.
Currents: Sea surge at times, some tidal current.
Restrictions: None.

*Seal Cove and Mingo Rock - Isles of Shoals
Location: Southeast side of Duck Island.
Special Features: In the spring and early summer, many seals visit the area. They sunbathe on the rocks and occasionally will swim with divers. (The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits anyone from approaching seals.)
Access: only by boat.
Hazards: Lobster boats. Do not leave boat unattended. The area was once a military target range and divers have found unexploded shells in the area. This dive and all of the other Isles of Shoals dives are recommended for experienced divers.
Depth: To 40 feet in Seal Cove, to 90 feet around Mingo Rock.
Currents: Slight current in the cove, tidal as well as wind current around Mingo Rock.
Restrictions: None

*Jimmies Ledge - Isles of Shoals
Location: Northeast side of Duck Island.
Special Features: The area is all ledges and the bottom is very clear. There is occasional seal activity.
Access: only by boat
Hazards: Lobster boats.
Depth: To 50 feet.
Currents: Tidal and wind currents.
Restrictions: None.

*Devils Gorge - Isles of Shoals
Location: Southeast side of Appledore Island.
Special Features: The gorge contains plenty of sea life and vegetation, and is ideal for photography.
Access is only by boat.
Hazards: Heavy boat traffic.
Depth: To 35 feet.
Currents: Slight, occasional surge from sea and swell.
Restrictions: None.

*Appledore Cove - Isles of Shoals
Location: Northeast side of Appledore Island.
Special Features: Also known as Broad Cove, this area is well protected and contains a variety of sea life as well as ledges and a sandy bottom.
Access is only by boat.
Hazards: Lobster boats.
Depth: To 70 feet.
Currents: Slight
Restrictions: None.

*Babbs Rock - Isles of Shoals 
Location: In a small bay on the west side of Appledore Island, near the Shoals Marine Laboratory.
Special Features: The shore line is made up of ledge, which descends to a sand and gravel bottom with occasional protruding ledges. On the north side of the area, the remains of a World War II pier provide a spectacular view of flora and fauna. Only a snorkel is needed here. Access is only by boat
Hazards: Westerly winds can cause serious sea conditions. The area is frequented by lobster, recreational and research boats. Depth: Generally less than 50 feet, but can go to 90 feet further off shore.
Currents: Not a problem except that surge can occur from the sea and swell in shallow areas.
Restrictions: Vessels must anchor. Moorings here are the property of the Shoals Marine Laboratory and they are heavily used. The small cove between Appledore and Babbs Rock is off limits to divers and snorkelers. It is possible, with permission, to visit the laboratory during the summer, when personnel are on the island. No trespassing is allowed at other times of the year.

*Cedar Island - Isles of Shoals 
Location: Southeast side of Cedar Island. Special Features: Beautiful plant life that is ideal for photography. Bottom is a mixture of rocks and sand. Access is only by boat Hazards: Lobster boats and, during the summer months, fishermen trolling with plugs. Depth: To 60 feet. Currents: Slight tidal current as well as wind current on the surface. Restrictions: None.

*Pyramid Valley - Isles of Shoals 
Location: Southeast side of Cedar and Smuttynose islands. Special Features: The cove contains rocks, crevices and small rock formations that resemble pyramids, as well as a great deal of sea life. Access is only by boat Hazards: Lobster boats. Depth: To 25 feet in the cove, to 60 feet at the mouth of the cove. Currents: Occasional wind current on the surface. Restrictions: None.

*Cedar Island Ledge - Isles of Shoals
Location: Approximately 700 yards southeast of Cedar Island. Special Features: The depth drops dramatically to well over 100 feet. The bottom consists of an interesting grouping of ledge, boulders and large granite slabs, which form caves. Flora and fauna abound. Access is only by boat. Hazards: This site is exposed to weather from the north, east and south. The ledge rises to the surface, so the site must be approached with caution. Lobster and recreational boats frequent the area. Boats should not be left unattended. A heavy anchor is needed. Depth: To 140 feet. Currents: The surge from sea and swell in shallow areas and the tidal currents can be moderately strong. Restrictions: None.

*Gosport Harbor - Isles of Shoals 
Location: Northeast side of Star Island. Special Features: The bottom is mud and gravel, but the area is noted for clay pipes, bottles and other artifacts. Access is only by boat Hazards: Lobster buoys and extremely heavy boat traffic. Depth: To 60 feet. Currents: Slight. Restrictions: Do not dive in main part of channel.

*Boon Island - 3 miles off York, Maine
Special Features: In the spring and early summer, many seals visit the area. They sunbathe on the rocks and occasionally will swim with divers. (The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits anyone from approaching seals.) Island is home of automated light house and novel by Ken Roberts "Boon Island" was written about a wreck in which the survivors turned cannibalistic. 
Access is only by boat. 
Hazards: Lobster and fishing boats. Keep a constant eye on weather as conditions can make diving hazardous if you get caught on the wrong side of the island where you are exposed to the open ocean. 
Depth: 20 - 120'. 
Currents: Sea surge in shallows, some tidal and wind current.

*Boone Island Ledge - ' Empire Knight'
Special features: A wreckage field of the vessel 'Empire Knight'. Lots or marine growth and fish life. Visibility can vary and is best in the spring before too much algea gets in the water. Access is only by boat - do not leave boat unattended. Hazards: A small swell can make up on the ledge into huge breakers. ONLY dive this spot when conditions are ideal and if you are a strong swimmer. Depth: 0 - 120'. Currents: Can have strong tidal or wind currents and the sea surge can be treacherous. Large steel plates can foul your air hoses. Live ordinance on bottom with dangerous detonators - LEAVE ALONE. Also found are beer bottles, grinding wheels, locomotive parts, truck parts. Use extreme care in approach to ledge as you can go aground very easily and fishing boats troll this area. Restrictions: Only strong swimmers and experienced divers should dive this site.


Other local dive sites - (accessible from shore)

Plaice Cove - Hampton, N.H. 
Location: Intersection of Route 1A and High St. (Route 101C) Special Features: The rocky substrate near shore contains a variety of marine life, including sea stars, crabs, shrimp, seaweeds and pink coralline algae. Immediately off shore, the bottom turns to sand and flounder are common. Access: Walk across beach. Hazards: Rough surf during big storms. Depth: To 25 feet. Currents: None to slight. Parking: Use beach lot. Restrictions: None.

Fox Hill Point - North Hampton, N.H. 
Location: Off Route 1A at Rye town line. Special Features: Variety of marine life. Access: Walk across beach. Hazards: Low visibility after storms. Depth: To 20 feet. Currents: None. Restrictions: None.

Ragged Neck/Foss Beach - Rye, N.H.
Location: Off Route 1A just north of Ragged Neck State Park. Special Features: Area contains a variety of sea life, including flounder, crabs, Pollock and, in summer, striped bass and mackerel. Access: Beach entry. Hazards: None. Depth: To 20 feet at high tide. Currents: None to slight. Parking: Ample, either at the state park or along Route 1A.Restrictions: None.

Seal Rocks - Rye. N.H. 
Location: Off Route 1A just north of Wallis Sands State Park. Special Features: Sandy bottom toward shore, then rocky ridges containing a variety of marine life, including schools of fish. Visibility is best during an incoming tide. Access: Down a small rocky ledge and across a sandy beach. Hazards: Rough surf during storms. Depth: To 30 feet. Currents: None to slight. Parking: Limited. Restrictions: None.

Pulpit Rock - Rye, N.H. 
Location: Off Route 1A one mile north of Wallis Sands State Park, across the road from the cement lookout tower. Special Features: Several species of seaweed and clusters of pink coralline algae cover the rocks. Crabs, sea stars, shrimp, sculpins and schools of Pollock are common sights. Access: Walk across rocks and small boulders to edge of water. Rocks are very slippery, so it is best to do this dive at mid to high tide. Hazards: Rough surf during storms. Depth: To 30 feet. Currents: None to slight. Parking: Plenty. Restrictions: None.

Sunken Forest - Odiorne State Park, Rye, N.H. 
Location: Off Route 1A. Look for a cove at the southern edge of the park. Special Features: The ancient stumps of many large trees are visible in an area reclaimed by the ocean. In addition, many marine animals and plants are common to the area. Odiorne Point State Park is the site of the Russell B. Tobey Visitor Center, a facility well worth a visit. Access: Walk in across a gravel beach. Hazards: Rough water during storms. Depth: To 18 feet at high tide. Currents: None. Parking: Plenty. Restrictions: None.

Great Island Commons - New Castle N.H 
Location: Off Route 1B (Wentworth Road). Special Features: Sandy bottom with lots of hermit and green crabs and some moon snails. Cove contains lush seaweed and sea grass. Boulders make up the bottom near the cement pier, providing an alternate substrate to explore. Access: Walk in across beach. Hazards: Boat traffic. Depth: To 25 feet. Currents: Mild in the cove, but strong outside when the tides are running. Parking: Plentiful, but there is a small fee during the summer. Restrictions: None.

Fort McClary - Kittery, Me. 
Location: Off Route 103 just north of Kittery. Special Features: There is a great deal of marine life, especially eelgrass and flounder, and some historical artifacts have been found here. Access: Walk in across beach on ocean side of fort. Hazards: Lobster traps and boats. Depth: To 40 feet. Currents: Potentially strong outside cove. Parking: Ample. Restrictions: None.

Fort Foster - Kittery, Me.
Location: There is a designated diving area in the town park on Gerrish Island. Off Route 103, take Gerrish Island Lane and then turn right on Pocahontas Road and follow it to the fort. Special Features: Good dive at high or low tide. Bottom ranges from white sand with eelgrass to ledges with abundant sea life. Access: Walk in across rocky beach. Hazards: None. Depth: To 30 feet. Currents: None to slight. Parking: Plentiful, but there is a slight fee. Restrictions: Stay in the designated diving area.

*Nubble Light - York, Me. 
Location: On Cape Neddick between Long Sands and Short Sands beaches. Take Nubble Road off Route 1A.Special Features: A small cove on the northeast side is suitable for novice divers. The bottom is a mixture of rock, sand and cobble. Sea life is abundant and varies with the season. Access: Down a rocky slope to the water. Hazards: Storms from the northeast produce high surf. Lobster boats working in the cove can be dangerous to divers on or near the surface. Depth: To 40 feet near shore, to 80 feet seaward of the island. Currents: Low except between shore and the island at mid tide. Parking: Large lot, no charge. Restrictions: Permit required. It is available at the York police station (located north of town on Route 1A) at no charge. No diving on Sundays from April 1 to Oct. 31 or on any holidays between those dates.

Elkins Cove - Pleasant Lake, NH 
Location: Three miles east of New London, N.H., on Route 11. Look for the Elkins Cove sign. Special Features: This is a small, clean, attractive lake with plenty of fish and patches of rock. Divers often find anchors and fishing gear. Access: Walk down boat ramp. Hazards: None. Depth: To 50 feet. Currents: None. Parking: Beside the ramp. Restrictions: Do not cut across the town beach located next to the ramp.

Blodgett's Landing - Lake Sunapee 
Location: Four miles north of Newbury, NH, on Route 103A. Watch for a sign marking the left-hand turn to the landing. Special Features: The 90-foot steamship Edmund Burke burned to the waterline and sank here in the 1930's. Its remains lie in shallow water in front of the only cottage located between the road and the lake. Divers occasionally find anchors and fishing tackle at this site as well as old bottles from the settlement's early days. Access: Walk across beach or down boat ramp. Hazards: None. Depth: To 25 feet near shore, to 100 feet further out in the lake. Currents: None. Parking: Small lot on the left at the bottom of the hill. Restrictions: None.

Herrick Cove - Lake Sunapee 
Location: Six miles north of Newbury on Route 103A. Look for public boat ramp just before Lakeside Lodge. Special Features: This site includes two small wrecks, plenty of fish and rocks, and one of Lake Sunapee's lighthouses. Access: Down the cement boat ramp. Hazards: Boat traffic. Depth: To 35 feet. Currents: None. Parking: Across the street from the ramp. Restrictions: Use the ramp, do not cut across Private property.

Newbury Harbor - Lake Sunapee 
Location: Behind Newbury information booth on Route 103.Special Features: The west side of the harbor includes several rocky areas that are usually inhabited by large fish. Access: Short climb down rocky bank. Hazards: Heavy boat traffic in the center of the harbor. Depth: To 30 feet. Currents: None. Parking: Beside information booth. Restrictions: No overnight parking.

Lady of the Lake - Lake Winnipesaukee 
Location: Between Glendale and Pig Island in Smith Cove. Pig Island is a small island between Varney Point and Lockes Island. The site is directly in front of the N.H. Department of Safety. Special Features: The Lady of the Lake, a 120-foot steamship that once carried passengers on the lake, sank here in 1895.Access: By boat. Hazards: Heavy boat traffic. Depth: To 30 feet. Currents: None. Parking: Municipal parking lots are located in all the major towns and cities around the lake. Restrictions: None.