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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Essex County

The top 29 dive and snorkel sites in Essex County, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Essex County guide

dive sites
29
dive shops
2
reviews
91
AreasGloucester18Rockport14Manchester-by-the-Sea4Beverly1Salem1Nahant1
29 sites, ranked by diver reviews
Front Beach1

Front Beach

5.0(3 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Front Beach is best as a swimming beach for the kids. The area is mostly sandy and shallow, with a few patches of rocks. It is, however, an excellent starting point for those willing to make the swim around the point to the left and end up in the next cove over, Back Beach. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), turn South on SR 127A (Beach Street) to head into Rockport. In .3 miles, Front Beach will be on your left. You will pass Back Beach along the way.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
Plum Cove2

Plum Cove

4.8(6 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Plum Cove is a relatively easy entry and is generally shelter from ocean swell when other sites may be undivable. With a maximum depth of 35 feet, it is great for novices just wanting to get web for a couple of hours. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), continue North for 4.2 miles. The Cove will appear on your right.

BeginnerMax depth 9.8 ftShore entry
40 Steps3

40 Steps

4.8(5 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

This is fine cove for casual diving. Easy entry and mostly sheltered from the sea. Coming from Boston, take 1A North. It will become North Shore Road, and then Lynnway. Continue to stay on Lynnway, wrapping around the coast, bearing right onto Nahant Road. From that intersection, the site will be on your left in 3.25 miles.

Shore entry
Back Beach4

Back Beach

4.5(15 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Back Beach is a very easy site and should be interesting for all skill levels. Because of the easy of entry and proximity to parking, many come here watch the squid perform their antics during a night dive. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), turn South on SR 127A (Beach Street) to head into Rockport. In .2 miles, Back Beach will be on your left.

BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
Old Garden Beach5

Old Garden Beach

4.5(10 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Old Garden Beach is in a small and very scenic residential area of Rockport. It used by divers of all skill levels due to its ease of entry. This is a small, secluded beach with a sandy shore near Rockport Harbor. By swimming 100 yards or so straight out from the beach you can reach depths of 50', and the bottom topography includes huge boulders. Following the shoreline to the right, depths are considerably shallower – around 15-25 feet max – and the bottom is rocky. Both areas are home to many lobsters. This site has a very easy entry – there is a ramp from the street to the beach. There is a lot that is residents only during the summer, but parking is available on Old Garden Street during weekdays. On weekends, you can drop your gear off at the top of the ramp, and then park the car on adjacent streets (Atlantic Ave. is unrestricted). They will tow cars that are parked illegally. There is a "No Night Diving" sign posted – this contradicts MA state law and is unenforceable. At high tide the water level is right at the base of the ramp, and low tide reveals a stretch of sand. There are no restrooms or other amenities here. This site generally has very good visibility. Exposure is Northeast. At the end of SR 128 in Cape Ann, turn Left on SR 127A (Cross Street). In one half mile, turn left (following SR 127A) onto Thatcher Road. After 4.3 miles, turn right onto Calebs Lane, and travel almost to the end (.25 miles), turning left on Old Garden Rd. The Beach will be on your right.

BeginnerMax depth 20 ftShore entry
Folly Cove6

Folly Cove

4.4(21 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Folly Cove is one of the finer dives on this part of the peninsula due to the accessibility of a spectacular wall just outside the cove. Any life indigenous to the New England area can be found here. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), continue North for 2.3 miles, turn right onto Gott Ave. Parking will be on your right in about 200 yards.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
No photos yet
7

Pebble Beach

5.0(1 review)USA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann

Head northeast on MA-128 N At Grant Circle, take the 2nd exit onto MA-128 At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on MA-128 Turn left at Eastern Ave/MA-127 Turn right at Barn Ln Turn left at MA-127A/Thatcher Rd Turn right at Tregony Bow Turn right at South St Turn left at Old Penzance Rd Park along the pebbles (free).

BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
Halibut Point8

Halibut Point

4.5(4 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Halibut Cove is a fairly easy dive (if the conditions are right), but can be physical demanding to get the entry. You'll have almost a mile hike from the parking area, so you will definitely need a three or four wheeled equipment cart. Only do this dive if you are good shape. Remember that the effects of nitrogen are magnified by physical exertion. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), continue North for 1.8 miles, turn right onto Gott Ave. Parking will be on your right in about 200 yards.

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
Salt Island9

Salt Island

4.5(2 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Salt Island is an easy dive, however, the hike out is not! For the best diving you'll need to walk out to the far side of Salt Island during low tide, so make sure you are in shape! At the end of SR 128 in Cape Ann, turn Left on SR 127A (Cross Street). In one half mile, continue straight onto Nautilus Road for another quarter mile. Alternatively, in one half mile, turn left on Thatcher Road and turn right in .7 miles into the Good Harbor Beach Lot. The latter is closer to Salt Island.

BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
Cathedral Rocks10

Cathedral Rocks

4.1(11 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

One of the more popular dives in Cape Ann, Cathedral Rocks is known for its abundance of lobsters and for its deep dives. If you consider yourself an advanced diver, you'll feel at home here. At the intersection of SR 127 and SR127A in Rockport (NE Cape Ann), continue North for 1.2 miles, turn right onto Cathedral Ave, and continue further for another .1 mile.

AdvancedMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
Magnolia Rocks11

Magnolia Rocks

4.1(7 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Another good area for lobster, Magnolia Rocks can be a great dive once you get past the rocky entry. You can descend down to about 45 feet where you'll find boulders, sand and crevasses. Perfect for exploration! Lots of lobsters, too close to rocks for boats to drop their pots...large stripers, not afraid of you...easy to spear..delicious..cold and when algae bloom, no vis..but can get dinner there in 15 minutes At the end of SR 128 in Cape Ann, turn right on SR 127A (Cross Street), and then bear left onto SR 127 South. In 1.3 miles, you will cross a bridge. In another 2.3 miles, turn left onto Magnolia Ave. In .6 miles, turn left onto Raymond/Norman. In 300 yards, turn right onto Lexington Ave. and go to the end.

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftShore or Boat entry
Stage Fort Park12

Stage Fort Park

4.2(6 reviews)Massachusetts, USA East

Stage Fort Park offers an easy entry and a shallow dive. Mostly sandy throughout the center of the cove, the edges offer more exciting exploration. Diving is only permitted here during the off-season, so call ahead to get the exact dates. At the end of SR 128 in Cape Ann, turn right on SR 127A (Cross Street), and then bear left onto SR 127 South. In 1.3 miles, you will cross a bridge. The park will be your first left after the bridge (.22 miles). The dive site is .36 miles further.

BeginnerMax depth 20 ftShore entry
No photos yet
13

Burnham Rocks

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann

Burnham Rocks is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

BeginnerMax depth 49.9 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
14

Halfway Rock

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann

Wall dive with lots of marine life. Can have stronger currents than most dives in the area. Boat access by Cape Anne Divers boat charter.

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
15

City of Rockland Wreck

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts

Launched in 1901 by the Eastern Steamship Company to ferry passangers between Boston and Maine. In 1923 she ran aground in the Kennebec River. Coupled with a decline is passenger service the company sold her. When the new owner couldn't find a buyer he had the ship stripped of its fixtures and towed to Misery Island and set on fire to salvage any remaining items. Today all that remains are some ribs and parts of the boilers. Source:wreckhunter.net This wreck is located in Manchester Bay between Misery Island and Little Misery. A boat is needed to access the main island. The wreck is an easy shore dive, once you have reached Misery Island. City of Rockland Wreck is also known as Misery Island.

BeginnerMax depth 6.6 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
16

White Beach

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts

Parking is restricted to residents only for the summer months, although groups can check with the local police dept. for a permit. This is a sandy beach with an easy entry, and a short walk from the parking lot. This site is a small cove with rocky walls bordering both sides and a sandy center, with Southwesterly exposure. A reef can be found a few hundred yards offshore. Depth is approx. 25'. Typical marine life includes lobster, flounder, moonsnails, etc. A resident sticker is required to park here in the summer months

BeginnerMax depth 24.9 ftShore entry
No photos yet
17

Brace Cove

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann

This site is excellent as a second dive especially because it is shallow and the visibility is usually excellent for the NE(20 - 30ft). Enter Brace Cove, Brace rock will be to your left (south). Motor in and look to anchor yourself about 100 feet beyond Brace Rock on the south western end. I would usually dropped anchor in about 13 ft. of water just as I could start making out the rocky bottom. The bottom is a mix of large smooth flat rock with lots of rocks with sparse vegetation mixed in and sea life of all descriptions. I have never been disappointed with this dive especially on sunny days. I have dived the other side of the cove also which is less spectacular. I am only familiar with this dive site by boat and dove primarily the south west side. Most of the time this was in the lee of Brace Rock some 100 feet away.I would anchor my inflatable in about 13 feet of water.

BeginnerMax depth 18 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
18

Jeffreys Ledge

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts, Stellwagen Bank

On the northern edge of NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, rocky ridges on the southern edge of Jeffreys Ledge rise to within 115 feet of the surface. The shallowest portion of the ledge is comprised of piled cobble and boulders. Anemones, stalked tunicates, and coralline algae reside on the rocks making for a colorful landscape when illuminated with a dive light. The ledge's piled boulders create a complex structure with many crevices for marine fishes like cusk and wolffish. For more information visit: http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/visit/diving/diving.html Jeffreys Ledge is a large glacially-created feature, stretching 33 miles from offshore of Rockport, MA to Cape Elizabeth, ME. Dive charters departing from Gloucester run special trips upon request.

IntermediateMax depth 120.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
19

Niles Beach

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts

This is the spare tire of dive sites - when everything else is blown out, Niles is often okay to dive. This is a great back up site for instructors with classes. There is not a lot to see, although photographers claim the eel grass offers a lot of small marine life. The bottom is a combination of sand and mud. The long sandy beach offers easy entry and depths can reach up to about 20-25 feet. This site is very sheltered and has Western exposure. Parking is restricted to residents, but this is only (usually) enforced during the summer. There are no public facilities at or near the beach. You may want to lock up any valuables as it is quite an isolated area.

BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftShore entry
No photos yet
20

Chester E. Poling Wreck

No reviews yetUSA, Massachusetts, Cape Ann

Stern of the Chester Poling sits upright in about 28m / 90ft. Broken in half, it makes for an awesome dive around the perimeter and over the deck. Can also be penetrated, but sediment settling in the boat could be stirred and obscure visibility. Boat access by Cape Anne Divers boat charter.

IntermediateMax depth 91.9 ftBoat entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of Essex County: numbered map of the top 20 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
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Numbers match the ranked list of Essex County dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Essex County

All 2
Undersea Divers, Inc.
4.9 (83) · Danvers
Book
DiVE KS
5.0 (33) · Salem
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Essex County diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Essex County for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 29 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dive and snorkel sites in Essex County?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Essex County are Front Beach (5.0 from 3 reviews), Plum Cove (4.8 from 6 reviews) and 40 Steps (4.8 from 5 reviews).

Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in Essex County?

The top-rated beginner sites are Front Beach (5.0 from 3 reviews), Plum Cove (4.8 from 6 reviews) and Back Beach (4.5 from 15 reviews).

Where can I shore dive in Essex County?

Front Beach, Plum Cove, 40 Steps and Back Beach are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.

What is the best advanced dive in Essex County?

Cathedral Rocks (4.1 from 11 reviews), with a maximum depth of 15.1 ft.

Are there dive shops in Essex County?

Zentacle lists 2 dive shops in Essex County. The top-rated are Undersea Divers, Inc. (4.9 from 83 reviews) and DiVE KS (5.0 from 33 reviews).