Massachusetts provides a variety of diving locations and exploration possibilities. Cape Ann affords numerous shore-diving locations, with countless varieties of fish (tautog, flounder, skate, striped bass, and squid, to name but a few!) In addition, lobster and crab can also be found in most rocky areas. An abundance of interesting wrecks can also be accessed from shore.

Massachusetts

Barnstable County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

This freshwater pond covers 20 acres, and is a popular OW training site for local dive shops.  Maximum depth is 57', and usual visibility is 5'-25'.  Temperatures range from about 40 degrees in the winter, to low-80's in the summer.  Over the years a variety of things have been sunk in the pond, including a Saab, a cabin cruiser and a couple of tire piles and a training platform.  All diving is accessible from shore, and visitors are able to park near the water.  This pond has a variety of fish, including perch, trout, bass and freshwater eels.  There is a $7.00 parking fee for non-residents in the summer.  There are no public restrooms.



Barnstable

Hathaway's Pond

This is a VERY shallow dive – at high tide max depth is 15'.  There is a good deal of marine life here, including lobsters.  Parking is around $10 for the day, and there are accessible restrooms at the beach.  This site does have an easy entry/exit.  Try to stay straight or west off of the breakwater.  There is a rumor circulating that there is a WWII aircraft in the vicinity, but you'll need a boat/kayak to find it.  This site has Northern exposure.



Corporation Beach

The max depth is approx. 25', and this site has easy shore entry via the beach.  This is a sheltered cove with Northern exposure, so surf and tides are milder than other dive areas.  However, if there is a strong north wind, the conditions can get challenging.  The bottom is covered in seaweed making it a good spot for lobster and flounder.  Visibility is usually around 15'.  Parking is $10, and free after 4 pm.  There are bathrooms and a snack bar here.  This is a very popular spot, so expect to see a lot of other divers.  



Sandwich Town Beach

Small, secluded, spring fed, public pond. The south eastern side of the pond is a huge natural spring. This spring comes up through a cavern approximately thirty feet accross. I attempted to explore this gaping hole and as I approached the 40 foot mark I was unable to continue without a wetsuit. I could see no evidence of the cavern bottoming out at that depth and was intrigued as to just how deep it was. Other interesting sites at this location are trout, bass, turtles, including at least one Alligator Snapping turtle the size of my truck tire. This is a great spot for gaining a little experience and becoming more comfortable in the water. My last dive there was in 1996. 

Foot. Beach is located on the south western side.

Mares Pond

This site seems to be known as Garbage Beach only to divers.  It has an easy entry, and easy metered parking (so you will need quarters).  Max depth at this site is 70', visibility is 5'-15'.  This site has Southwesterly exposure.  There have been tropical fish sightings here in the summer, and a variety of nudibranchs in the winter.  This can be a hazardous dive, challenges include strong currents, fishing line (make sure you have a knife/line cutter) and considerable boat traffic.  Divers have found old bottles and tea cups at this site, so keep your eyes open for artifacts!  Stay away from the Vineyard Ferry dock, it is best for divers to stay near the jetty or the pier.



Garbage Beach is also known as Marine Park on Water Street.

Garbage Beach





Brant Rock is also known as Brant Rock.

Brant Rock

The Josephine Marie was a steel-hulled stern trawler that now lies in 100 feet of water on top of Stellwagen Bank in NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 

The red-hulled Josephine Marie lies upside down with its bow facing roughly northwest. Divers are free to visit the site, but should be aware of hazards such as strong currents and fishing gear.



Josephine Marie Shipwreck is also known as Fishing Vessel Josephine Marie.

Josephine Marie Shipwreck

An unidentified trawler shipwreck rests on Stellwagen Bank in 105-110 feet of water in NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off Massachusetts.  The trawler is broken into four pieces; its pilothouse, hull, stern, and net reel.  Smaller hull fragments surround the site.  As the shipwreck sits on a mostly featureless sand bottom, it attracts schools of cod and pollock that hide within its structure.  The identity of this trawler has not been determined and the sanctuary is seeking help from anyone who might know its name.  The trawler lies within the Outbound Lane of the Port of Boston's Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).  Vessel operators should follow all regulations pertaining to the safe operation of vessels in a TSS.

The sanctuary offers SCUBA divers a chance to explore an offshore environment at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay.  Exposed waters create challenging dive conditions, but offer rewarding experiences.  Surprisingly, fifteen percent of the sanctuary, or 126 square miles, is shallower than 130 feet at low tide.  Much of this area lies atop Stellwagen Bank, but also includes southern Jeffreys Ledge and the top of Sanctuary Hill. Diving offshore is unlike diving at a similar depth inshore. In addition to the deep water, you will likely experience strong currents at the surface and the bottom, especially if the wind and tide are moving in the same direction. Plan your dive around slack tide for the best underwater and surface conditions.

NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off Massachusetts

Unidentified Trawler Shipwreck is also known as Unidentified Fishing Vessel.

Unidentified Trawler Shipwreck

Sponge Forest encompasses areas ontop of Stellwagen Bank in NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with cobble and scattered boulders that provide hard substrate for encrusting marine invertebrates.  The area is named after the large finger sponges found growing on the seafloor.  Sponge Forest lies within the Traffic Separation Zone of the Port of Boston's Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).  Dive vessels must be on the lookout for large cargo vessels transiting the area and must not impede the passage of these vessels.  Vessel operators should follow all regulations pertaining to the safe operation of vessels in a TSS.



Sponge Forest



Sponge Forest - Big Boulders dive site is an area on top of Stellwagen Bank with cobble and boulders that provide hard substrate for the finger sponges after which it was named. Codfish and other fish hide amongst the larger boulders that are also home to large northern red anemones.

Sponge Forest - Big Boulders is also known as Big Boulders.

Sponge Forest - Big Boulders

Great spot for clams!  Usually spot striped bass under the bridge

Park along seawall on Washington St.  Enter water from beach or end of pier

Hathaway's Pond

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Hathaway's Pond