Pebble Beach

A look from left to right. Its not a difficult entry if the weather is favorable. For the best diving area, surface swim a 100 yards out, then descend. If you have a choice, start your dive from the right side of the beach, as it closer to the rocky reef.

My brother and I did two nice long shallow dives at Pebble Beach recently. Found the parking to be easy and abundant, as far as Cape Ann goes. It was a sunny warm day with a small amount of wave activity, and we dove at low tide and just after. There were lots of other divers in the water or getting ready to go in. However, we met only three or four u/w. We were lobstering and did surprising well for the popularity of the site. It's easy access and, with the amount of other divers who were also hunting, divers on both sides of us came back with 4 or 5 in their catch bag each. Viz was good with small surge. It's a long, but not impossible swim to the rocky reefs. I recommend this site for beginner and intermediate divers as well as advanced divers trying out new equipment.

Brought two friends who had never been diving in New England. Parking and entry simple and straightforward. Swam out to first reef line and dropped down. Saw a few lobsters, plenty of crabs, flounder of every size, and a sea raven. Lots of plant life. Visibility was good at about 25 ft, but the surge was obviously kicking some Ohio ass, and my partners decided to head back in after 30 minutes. Egress was interesting since none of us had ever experienced the combination of strong surf AND an uneven, rocky beach. No broken bones, though. Due to lack of fish life, we decided to make our second dive at Folly Cove despite the wind direction.

Finally managed to splash. Chased a ray into deeper water "25 feet….so deep ;) " saw what I'm almost sure was a pout lying motionless on the bottom (mean looking thing, whatever it was) several hiding lobsters, and numerous crabs. Good dive all in all Can anyone help me explain my 30 minute at 25 ft air consumption?!

I happen to love this beach, mostly due to the nostalgia of having done my Rescue Course here years ago. I have seen 20 lb. lobsters here- illegal, of course- and moon snails the size of watermelons. The reefs and the point are fun to poke around on, but that's about all the excitement. Careful on the entry!

Holy Smokes. HEED THE WARNINGS ABOUT SOFT SAND. I got stuck. Fortunately found a person with an AAA card to have me towed. (No pay for tow people who answer on the 4th of July weekend). After 2 hours in the 80 degree heat, I geared up in 7mm farmer john, a steel 80 and about 45 lbs of weight (about 110 lbs total). As I stumbled towards the entrance I became violently overheated and called the solo dive... STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE SOFT SAND!!!

Not a very interesting dive. Come here only if all other sites fail and you absolutely have to dive! A thin strip of rock reef runs parallel to the shore quite a way out. Not a lot to see. Lots of sand. Easy parking and easy entry. Might be an ok night dive, but I think other sites might be better.

Free, easy parking marks this spot! This site has a couple of really nice reefs, but they both require a decent surface swim (> 100 kick cycles) to reach them. The large round pebbles for which this beach is named have claimed many an ankle ... be cautious. Also, exits when the tide is coming in can cause one to be turned turtle and pounded by the surf. Time your exit with the waves, and keep an eye out for the occasional rogue. This spot really comes alive at night, but the length of the beach and long shore current could leave a non-attentive diver lost - something to keep in mind.

Nice easy dive with decent temperature, but skin suit, wet suit, hood and thick gloves are strongly advised. Large amounts of flounder and striped bass had been seen several times. Crabs inhabit the majority of the shallower bottoms.

Pebble Beach is another area dive site with easy entry. There are no facilities other than parking at this site. You must swim over a great expanse of sand to reach the outer reefs. Marine life is not as prolific here as some other sites but you can encounter more pipefish here than any other site I know. Lobstering is only okay here.

Free parking in Rockport says it all! We call this site the "supermarket" for it's abundance of lobster and flounder. There are a series of three reefs parallel to shore each progressively farther offshore with stretches of sand in between. Maximum depth at the outermost reef is approximately 40 ft. Navigation is easy, follow a course perpendicular to shore until you reach your desired reef then follow the reciprocal course back to the beach. Hunt lobster on the reefs and flounder in the sand. I've seen the odd Goosefish here in the sand zones. The beach consists of cobble sized stones (pebbles!?) so be careful on entry/exit. Best viz in the fall.

Beach is mostly pebbles, some big. Good beginner's spot.