Name: Israel's Head Point
Rating: 4.5

The State of Maine includes 3,500 miles of indescribably beautiful coastline, comprised of bays, coves and similar indentations.  Over 60 lighthouses dot the craggy shore including the Portland Head Light, which was commissioned by George Washington.  Wreck diving (many accessible from shore) is available at many locations.  Check your tide tables and enjoy!<br><br>We would like to thank the kind assistance of Mike Bridges for helping us prepare this section for Maine. He and his wife provided guided shore diving tours in Maine for many years, but have since moved to the warmer climate of Panama City, Florida where he continues to shore dive and teach classes

Maine

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

Israel's Head is a convenient dive for those staying in Ogunquit.  This scenic coastal town offers good food, lodging, beach dwelling, and of course diving.  If you are visiting this area for the first time, plan on staying a few days since one of the premier beaches of Southern Maine is found here.

Located in Ogunquit off Route 1.  Turn Southeast onto Shore Rd for one half milie.  Turn right onto Israels Head Rd.  In about 500 yards, you'll see the site.

Israel's Head Point

Ships Cove is a great place for the kids to hang out while waiting for the divers to return.  With all this history this site has enjoyed, there is a possibility for you treasure hunters to bring something up from the bottom

Take a look at the previous site, Portland Head Light.  Ship's Cove is the first cove you come to on the left once you have entered Fort Williams Park.

Ship's Cove

This is an easy dive that is generally used for classes.  Currents and depth will not be a problem here, and you should have plenty of fun searching for critters and relics of days gone by.

Located in scenic Kennebunk Port, this site is directly across the road from the Colony Hotel.   Driving through Kennebunk Port on Rt. 9, turn South on Ocean Ave and drive for about 1.1 mile.  Turn right onto a small dirt road, where you'll find plenty of parking.

Colony Beach

During proper weather conditions, this is a pleasant area to dive and explore.  All the sea life you would expect should be here.  Beginners will enjoy the easy entry and relative shallows, while the advanced divers of your group will desire to explore beyond outer rocks.

From Kennybunk Port, you can take Rt. 9 North for about 9.3 miles.  Turn right onto Bridge Road, and then in another mile, left on Mile Stretch Rd, bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.   You can also take Rt. 208 East (Pool Road) out of Biddford for about 5.5 miles, bearing left onto Bridge Road, then left onto Mile Stretch Rd., bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.

Biddeford Pool

There are pieces of two wrecks at this site from the Empress and the Lively Lady.  There is also a diverse underwater landscape, as well.  We'd recommend a guide for your first visit here, as you will want to explore outside the cove and find the best places to search for 'treasure'.  The surge can be a problem here, so be careful with your entry and exit.

Located in scenic Kennebunk Port, this site is directly to the left of St. Ann's church.   Driving through Kennebunk Port on Rt. 9, turn South on Ocean Ave and drive for about 1.4 miles.  Turn right onto a small dirt road, where you'll find limited parking at the base of the cove.  There is also parking a bit further down the road.

St. Ann's Beach

This is another relatively shallow dive in the Biddeford area..  You will have more of a chance to see seals on this dive, since the rocks offer a good place for them to hang out and consume the abundant Striped Bass.<br><br>October 2004 - Received from Art Wallace:  This is just to thank you for the Biddeford, Maine former Coast Guard site page.  I remember many hours on watch in that tower (but I don't remember seeing any divers) from 1963-64, under Chief Boatswain's Mate Lee Merrick (d. Portland, Me. in the 1980's; he also had been keeper of nearby Wood Island Light).  The official name was Fletcher's Neck Lifeboat Station, from back in 19th century, and is included in the National Registry of Historic Places.  When I was there, lifeboats were no longer hauled out into the surf through those doors opening onto the road; the crew drove to the Pool Harbour to a 30 footer and a self-righting 36 footer; to maintain them, a 1st class Engineman was included in the station complement.  It's great to see how beautifully it's been restored after its closure in the early '70s and subsequent neglect for many years.  It's a long way from here on Lake Erie and hardly rates mention in the USCG's net files.  Thanks very much.

From Kennybunk Port, you can take Rt. 9 North for about 9.3 miles.  Turn right onto Bridge Road, and then in another mile, left on Mile Stretch Rd, bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.   You can also take Rt. 208 East (Pool Road) out of Biddford for about 5.5 miles, bearing left onto Bridge Road, then left onto Mile Stretch Rd., bear right on Orcutt Blvd, and go to the end.  The station is .3 miles further.

Biddeford Coast Guard Station

I dove this site on 9-4-2005 with Dave Peterson as my Dive buddy for the day.  We stayed in less than 50 feet of depth loved the abundant sea life. I've never seen so many sea urchins, plus a lot of lobster and crabs, star fish as well. Oh!, and some schools of polluck.

After Visiting Pemiquid Point Light house, travel north on route 130 to New Harbor Maine, turn right onto route 32 and follow until you see the signs for Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve.  This is one of my best dives ever in Maine. Tons of sea life. Lots of lobster, crabs, star fish, and sea urchins. It has a great variety of depth close to shore. You can stay on a shelf that is 40 feet and less or you can go a little deeper if you like. I bought a book called "Dive Maine" third edition by Steve Audet which is all about Maine Shore Dive sites by Steve Audet at Johnson's Sports in Brunswick Maine. I'm a Vermonter that Loves to dive Maine.

Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve

Fort McClary is an easily accessible dive site with a moderate hike from the parking area.  You should be able to park on the grounds between Memorial Day and September 30.  Call  (207) 384-5160 to be sure.  A small fee will be charged.  While you are there, take a look at the construction that took place over the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I.  Truly impressive!

At the Southeastern most point of Maine, you'll find Kittery.  From Route 1, head East on 103 for 2.5 miles.  Carefully follow the signs for 103, as Walker St. becomes Wentworth St. which becomes Whipple Rd. which becomes Pepperrell Rd. (you get the idea!)  Fort McClary will be on your right after winding around these roads.

Fort McClary

The premier shore dive site in Maine is the Old Steamship Pier in Eastport. The site is the remains of an old steamship pier used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and others.  Campobello Island, Canada can be seen right across the way.  Currents at this site can be strong due to tidal differences in excess of twenty feet, after all this is the Bay of Fundy area.  Marine life is prolific and immense due to high nutrient flow from the currents and tides.  Being the site of an old pier and fishing town there is ample opportunity to gather old medicine bottles, clay pipes and other antiquities long ago cast in to the sea.

The only down side of the site is that it is a long way from "civilization".  It is over a six hour drive from Boston.

Old Steamship Pier

For an easy sandy entry, try Wells Beach.  This intermediate  dive offers a view of the typical critters found in this area: lobster, crab, and flounder.  A dive flag is required in this area since boats are plentiful.

At about 4 miles North of Ogunquit on Route 1, turn right onto Mile Rd.  Go about 1 mile to the end, where you will find parking.  Park next to the benches, since that is the closest to the stairs to the beach.

Wells Beach

This picturesque area is the site of two wrecks: the Annie McGuire and the Lachinvar.  It is also great park for non-divers to hang out and explore, as well.  As you'll read below, getting to the water's edge can be a challenge, so we'd only recommend advanced divers in good physical shape attempt this dive.

Take a look at the previous site, Two Lights, to get your bearings.  At the intersection of 77 and East Point Road, head North for 1.5 miles, then make a right onto Shore Road.  In 2.5 miles you can take a right into Fort Williams Park.  Drive past Ships Cove, until you end up in the parking lot next to the light house.

Portland Headlight

This is the condition at low tide.  An easy hike down the sandy shoot, but a bit more difficult around the high tide since rocks and crevices are difficult to see.

You can see a high tide, the walk out to a diveable depth would difficult Take your time, and help your buddy in and out.

This is the best entry, but there are a couple of other spot that are more challenging.

This is an easy site to get into. Plan to dive at high tide, otherwise it will be shallow unless you go out about 200 feet.

Israel's Head Point

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Israel's Head Point