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Isles
of Shoals Diving
Seal Cove & Mingo Rock:
Location: Southeast side of
Duck Island.
Special Features: In spring & early summer, many seals visit
the area and will swim with divers.
Hazards: Lobster boats. Area was once military target area.
Divers have found unexploded shells.
Depth: To 40 feet in Seal Cove, to 90 feet around Mingo Rock
Currents: Slight in the cove, tidal as well as wind current
around Mingo Rock.
Jimmies Ledge:
Location: Northeast side of
Duck Island
Special Features: All ledge and very clear bottom.
Occasional seal activity.
Hazards: Lobster boats
Depth: To 50 feet
Currents: Tidal and wind currents
Devils Gorge:
Location: Southeast side of
Appledore Island
Special Features: Plenty of sea life and vegetation. Ideal for
photography.
Hazards: Heavy boat traffic
Depth: To 35 feet
Currents: Slight. Occasional surge from sea and swell.
Appledore Cove:
Location: Northeast side of
Appledore Island
Special Features; Also known as Broad Cove. Area is well
protected and contains a variety of sea life as well as ledges and sandy
bottom.
Hazards: Lobster boats
Depth; To 70 feet
Currents: Slight
Babbs Rock:
Location: In a small bay on
the west side of Appledore Island, near the Shoals Marine Laboratory.
Special Features: Shore line is ledge which descends to a sand
and gravel bottom with occasional protruding ledges. On the north side
of the area, the remains of a World War II pier provide a spectacular
view of flora and fauna. Only a snorkel is needed here.
Hazards: Westerly winds can cause serious sea conditions. The
area is frequented by lobster, recreational and research boats.
Depth: Generally less than 50 feet but can go to 90 feet further
off shore.
Currents: Not a problem except that surge can occur from the sea
and swell in shallow areas.
Cedar Island:
Location: Southeast side of
Cedar Island
Special Features: Beautiful plant life that is ideal for
photography. Bottom is a mixture of rocks and sand.\
Hazards: Lobster boats and during the summer
months, fishermen trolling with plugs.
Depth: To 60 feet
Currents: Slight tidal currents as well as wind current on the
surface
Pyramid Valley:
Location: Southeast side of
Cedar and Smuttynose Islands.
Special Features: The cove contains rocks, crevices and small
rock formations that resemble pyramids as well a a great deal of sea
life.
Hazards: Lobster boats
Depth: To 25 feet in the cove, to 60 feet at the mouth of the
cove.
Currents: Occasional wind current on the surface.
Cedar Island Ledge:
Location: Approx. 700 yards
southeast of Cedar Island
Special Features: The depth drops dramatically to well over 100
feet. The bottom consists of an interesting grouping of ledge, boulders
and large granite slabs, which form caves. Flora and fauna abound.
Hazards: Area exposed to weather from the north, east and south.
The ledge rises to the surface, so the site must be approached with
caution. Lobster and recreational boats frequent the area. Heavy anchor
needed.
Depth: To 140 feet
Currents: The surge from the sea and swell in shallow areas and
the tidal currents can be moderately strong.
Gosport Harbor:
Location: Northwest side of
Star Island
Special Features: The bottom is mud and gravel, but the area is
noted for clay pipes, bottles and other artifacts.
Hazards: Lobster buoys and extremely heavy boat traffic.
Depth: To 60 feet
Currents: Slight
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