Halibut Point

This is a view from the Overlook. The dive entry is the small cove in the rocky coast line. Once you get to the Scenic Overlook, you see this fork in the trail. Guess which way to go. This picture was taken on a calm day. The entry can be very hazardous even with mild swells. You'll see a couple of protected channels that will help you get out to sea. We recommend going with a guide your first time to make your adventure as safe as possible. Click the picture for a larger version. You would be standing at the 'P', and will need to hike to the area of the Scenic Overlook. Parking for this site excellent, and easy to find. The trail head is to the left of this picture. This during off-season; it would be best to arrive early to find a spot.

This was actually my first dive after getting certified. I went on this one with the reviewer above, Mr. Jurcszak. We had an awesome time. I will begin with saying that the entry point is a nightmare. You CAN get a rock shelf that will help you like we did but it's tough. Since Halibut Point is a beautiful park, Jake got friends of his to come by and hang out on the beach. This was very helpful. My gear was wrong and I had to swim in to be fitted properly. You DON'T want this to happen to you. You should have a perfect load-out when you do this dive. It's almost like a space capsule. You find a rock crevice with waves crashing in, you assemble your gear, and then wait for a wave and push out into the Atlantic. Of course, being my first REAL dive, I was messed up with my gear. I returned to my rock nook. Thank God Jake's friends were there to help me out because I didn't have the strength to climb out with the wetsuit and change it personally. He is right, you need shore folks here. It's a fun park though so it shouldn't be a problem. As for underwater, Jake has nailed it. Weird stone slabs are everywhere. Stripers were all around us and I was awed. It was the last run of the Stripers and what a place to see it in! Being in the last point of Cape Ann, it seems like you're at the end of the world. Very cool. The lobster he is talking about is called in our circles "The Great Lobster". It scared the hell out of me! Imagine, being scared by a lobster? LOL! I will cut it short, but Jake caught it barehanded and brought it to the surface. Many adventures followed, but I remember watching it fall in twenty feet of water when he let it go. We New England Divers know how Lobsters act but this one just dropped down like a meteorite. I think it was to heavy to swim backwards. It looked like something out of Alien, LOL! Watch for our new dive log on Halibut Point. I am going there very soon. Beginners should not attempt this one. It was my first dive but it was not easy. It was the worst dive I have had and also the best dive I have had. Luckily, I like mistakes and errors as they help you learn and train. So this was a win-win dive for me. It might not be that for a more casual diver. My two cents.

A good hike along a narrow trail, but if you stick it out you'll be rewarded with some fabulous diving. I suggest bringing only the gear you'll use on the one dive, and using the current to float you back to the restaurant where you can hike up and back to the car (which avoids the hike back down the trail.) Take a guide with you if this is your first time on this dive. Definitely don't miss this dive though, the animals are spectacular!

This dive is a long walk from the parking lot, but worth every step. I recommend using a two wheeler to hump the gear, you can make it within 150 yards of shore, then carry it the remaining distance. I had my non-diving buddies help with the long haul and a promise of lobster. Plan your entry carefully as well as your dive plan. I saw many types of marine life, crabs, stripers, starfish as well as many lobsters. The bottom was really cool with many types of rock formations and granite piles litter the bottom. In 25 feet, I caught an extremely massive lobster, we estimated 20 lbs plus, we all agreed it was the largest we ever saw. This is an exciting site; watch the current and make reference points on the shore. Take the scenic hike slow, and I hope to see you there!!!