Diving in New England

Explore 128 dive sites in New England, United States. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Marine Life in New England

Home to 35 recorded species including 26 reef fish, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 other, 1 sharks & rays, 1 octopus & squid, 1 clams & mussels.

Dive Site Difficulty in New England

New England has 9 beginner, 1 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Marine Protected Areas in New England

  • Cape Cod National Seashore - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Gerry E. Studds/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Popponesset - Beach (IUCN Category V)
  • Straitsmouth Island - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Shinnecock Bay Tidal Wetlands Area - Wetlands (IUCN Category V)
  • Adams Saltmarsh - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Beach Near Strong Island - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Charlestown Beach Lot - Beach (IUCN Category V)
  • Cisco - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Dumpling - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Eel - Pond (IUCN Category V)
  • Fox Hill Island - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Gould Island Rook - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Harbor Flats - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Hog Island - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Hopkins Island - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Ram Pasture - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Rawls Salt Marsh - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Crane Beach On The Conservation Restrictionane Estate - Beach (IUCN Category V)
  • Sandy Point - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Wasque - Reservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Accabonac Harbor Preserve (Tnc) - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Smith-Hubbell - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
  • Haddam Island State Park - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
  • Long Island Sound - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Elis Creek Property - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Holway Street Lot 18 - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Ministers Point - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Sedge Lane - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Two Penny Loaf - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Pattagansett Marshes - Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Perkins Salt Marsh - Reservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Tern Island - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Monomoy - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Hampton Beach State Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Pattagansett Marshes - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Atlantic Ocean Beaches - Beach (IUCN Category V)
  • Henry Cabot Lodge Bird Sanctuary (Egg Rock) - Bird Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
  • Trustees & Freeholders Of Southampton Lands - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Mangement Area Wildlife Management Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Great Harbor Wildlife Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Orient Beach State Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Cape Cod - National Seashore (IUCN Category V)
  • Monomoy - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Stewart B. Mckinney - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Thacher Island - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Wertheim - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Clam Island County - Nature Preserve (IUCN Category III)
  • Aspectuck Land Trust Inc 3 - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Branford Land Trust 7 - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Jordan Cove Road - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Land Trust of Darien Inc 2 - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Wards Rock - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Wellfleet Conservation Trust 6 - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Great Island Marshes - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Mashomack - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Billingsgate Island - Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
  • Milk Island - Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
  • State of New York Lands - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Accabonac Marsh Tidal Wetlands Area - Wetlands (IUCN Category V)
  • Little Bay Tidal Wetlands Area - Wetlands (IUCN Category V)
  • Great Harbor - Wildlife Management Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Egg Island Shoal - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category V)
  • Avalonia Land Conservancy (Ram Point) - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • The Nature Conservancy Griswold Point (Owned) - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • ASNew Hampshire to Properties, Inc. - Gowen - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Pine Point - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Great Pt. - PCL (IUCN Category V)
  • Sand - Trail (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Luscombe Lane CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Marsh Island and Days Creek CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Cape and Islands Ocean Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cape Cod Bay Ocean Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • North Shore Ocean Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • South Essex Ocean Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Muskeget Island CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Megansett HarborM (Marlow) Conservation Restriction - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Quissett Harbor I Conservation Restriction - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Thompson Island - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Pochet Island CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Dodges Island "Dumpling" - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Simpkins CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Andrew Harding Lane CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Mill Pond / Off Stage Harbor Road - Pond (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Salt Pond North Chatham CR - Pond (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Shore Road Beach Access Cr - Access (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Shore Road Beach Area Cr - Beach (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Shore Road Beach Area CR - Beach (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Shore Road Cr - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Shore Road CR - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Connecticut River Estuary and Tidal River Wetlands Complex - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to New England - Nearest Airports

  • Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester - 11 km away, approx 27 min travel time
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston - 68 km away, approx 90 min travel time
  • Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), Providence/Warwick - 79 km away, approx 101 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water temperatures and visibility conditions for scuba diving in New England throughout the year?
New England offers seasonal temperate diving conditions. While specific water temperatures and visibility ranges throughout the year are not detailed in the provided information, divers can expect variations typical of a temperate climate.
What kind of unique or highlight marine life can divers expect to encounter in New England waters?
Divers exploring New England waters can anticipate encountering fascinating marine life such as lobsters and striped bass. These species contribute to the vibrant underwater ecosystem of the region.
What are some of the best or most popular dive sites in New England, and what makes them notable?
Among the 120 dive sites in New England, notable options include the O.J. Walker wreck, an intermediate dive, and the scenic Lanes Cove reef, also for intermediate divers. For beginners, the Sandbar at Lake Winnisquam offers a reef dive experience. The region is also known for the historical Andrea Doria wreck, though specific details for this site are not provided in the dive site list.
Is scuba diving in New England suitable for all experience levels, or is cold water diving experience a prerequisite?
Scuba diving in New England caters to a range of experience levels, with sites available for both beginners and intermediate divers. For instance, beginner-friendly reef dives like Sandbar at Lake Winnisquam and Classroom Rock are available, alongside numerous intermediate wreck and reef dives. While it is seasonal temperate diving, specific cold water diving experience is not explicitly listed as a prerequisite.
How do seasonal changes impact diving conditions, such as water temperature, visibility, and marine life, in New England?
Given that New England offers seasonal temperate diving, conditions such as water temperature, visibility, and marine life encounters will naturally vary throughout the year. Divers should consult current conditions for the best experience, as seasonal shifts will influence the underwater environment. For more general information on seasonal diving, visit DivePlnr's When to Dive guide.
Are most dive sites in New England accessible from shore, or do divers typically need to arrange boat charters?
Divers in New England can access a mix of shore-entry and boat-required dive sites. While many wrecks and reefs may necessitate boat charters, sites like Pot Island, Lake Winnisquam and Yokum Pond Public Boat Launch are accessible from shore. With 120 dive sites, there are options for various access preferences.
What type of exposure suit (wetsuit thickness or drysuit) is generally recommended for diving in New England's varying water temperatures?
As New England features seasonal temperate diving, appropriate exposure protection is essential for comfort and safety. While specific wetsuit thicknesses or drysuit recommendations are not detailed in the provided data, divers should choose gear suitable for varying temperate water conditions. More information on dive equipment can be found on DivePlnr's Equipment page.
Is it possible to dive with seals or encounter larger marine animals like whales or sharks while scuba diving in New England?
The marine life explicitly mentioned for New England diving includes lobsters and striped bass. While these species offer interesting encounters, the provided data does not specifically list opportunities to dive with seals or encounter larger marine animals such as whales or sharks. For a broader look at marine life, explore DivePlnr's Wildlife Database.