Diving in New England
Why dive here
New England offers some of United States's richest diving, with 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including nurse sharks.
New England diving. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re into temperate water and a bit of history, we reckon it’s absolutely worth a look. Think thick kelp forests swaying in the current, big lobsters scuttling across the rocks, and a real sense of rugged coastal adventure. Our favourite dives here often involve exploring old fishing wrecks, their wooden bones slowly reclaimed by the ocean, now home to schools of striped bass and curious tautog. Visibility can be a bit of a mixed bag - sometimes you’ll get 20 metres of glorious green, other days it’s more like five, especially after a good storm. But that's part of the charm, the challenge. We love the thrill of descending into that cooler water, feeling the chill on your cheeks, then watching an enormous cod materialise out of the gloom. For the serious wreck heads, the Andrea Doria is the big draw, a truly iconic deep dive for technical divers, but there are plenty of shallower, less famous wrecks that offer a fantastic intermediate experience too. Pack a thick wetsuit or, even better, a drysuit; you'll thank us later. Summer and early autumn give you the best conditions, with the water hitting its warmest, but even then, it’s a refreshing dip.
New England Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in New England
New England Dive Sites
128 dive sites in New England
Ahern State Park
Ahern State Park won't blow your fins off, but it’s a solid spot for getting wet when you’re in New England. With a maximum depth of 10 meters, it's pretty forgiving, making it ideal for newer divers or those knocking off some rust. We’ve found the main draw here is the peace and quiet; it’s not often crowded, so you can really take your time practicing buoyancy or just enjoying the submerged trees and the occasional freshwater fish darting past. Think of it as a pleasant, easy dive, perfect for a casual afternoon underwater.
Andrea Doria
The Andrea Doria isn't just a dive site; it’s a legend. We love the sheer challenge of this deep wreck, lying roughly 240 feet down in the cold, often dark waters off Nantucket. It’s for experienced technical divers, no question, the kind who crave a real expedition every time they hit the water. Dropping down, the visibility can be fickle, shifting from a glorious 60 feet to a silty 10 in a single dive, but when it opens up, the sheer scale of the Doria is overwhelming. What strikes you first is the feeling of time standing still. Plates are still stacked in the galley, bathtubs remain in cabins, and the iconic bow is still perfectly recognisable, despite the years of battering. Our favourite part is navigating the interior, especially finding the promenade deck where you can still feel the grandeur. Schools of pollock and cod patrol the decks, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky wolffish peering out of portholes. It’s a dive that demands respect, meticulous planning, and a genuine love for exploration, but the rewards are immense. Just remember to account for the strong currents and unpredictable conditions; this isn't a dive to take lightly.
(Approximately 65 ft long steel fishing trawler)
We love a good New England wreck, and this 65-foot steel trawler offers a real slice of the region's fishing history. Dropping to just under 28 meters, it's a perfect depth for advanced open water divers looking to hone their wreck skills without getting too deep. What really makes this trawler stand out is how completely nature has reclaimed it. You'll descend onto a hull draped in anemones, their tentacles swaying gently in the current. Look closely among the rust-coloured plates and you’ll spot cunner and juvenile pollock darting in and out, treating the structure like a personal apartment block. Our favourite part? Peering into the wheelhouse, often still silhouetted against the ambient light, where you might catch a glimpse of a lobster lurking in the shadows. It's a proper adventure, exploring the tight spaces, feeling the cool water press in around you. Visibility can be a bit variable, so we'd suggest hitting it on a calm day after a few days without heavy rain for the best experience. It's a tangible link to a bygone era, offering a poignant look at how the ocean eventually reclaims everything.
Brace Cove
Brace Cove offers a straightforward New England shore dive, often used for training or a quick local splash. The sandy bottom gradually slopes, dotted with rocks and kelp beds where you might spot lobster, crabs, and flounder. It’s an accessible spot for newer divers getting comfortable with cold water or experienced divers looking for an easy entry. Visibility can vary, as with most shore dives in the region, so check conditions locally.
Brant Rock
Brant Rock offers a classic New England shore dive, with rocky terrain that gradually slopes into deeper water. You'll find lobsters tucked into crevices and various crabs scuttling across the bottom. It’s a decent spot for a casual dive when you're in the area and looking for an easy entry, especially suitable for newer divers or those wanting to test new gear. Visibility can be hit or miss, so check local reports before you head out.
Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park
Brownstone is a flooded quarry, a spot we've found ourselves at more than once for a quick local dive. It’s pretty straightforward, a freshwater site with various sunken objects scattered around for navigation and exploration. Think old boats, aircraft parts, and even some vehicles. Visibility can vary, but it's a solid choice for skill practice or just getting some bottom time in New England without a long drive.
Burlington Bay Horse Ferry
Burlington Bay’s Horse Ferry, submerged in Lake Champlain, isn’t about big fish or colourful reefs. We love it because it’s a tangible piece of history, just sitting there in the cool freshwater, ready to be explored. It’s a shallow dive, maxing out at 15 metres, so you get good bottom time to really soak it in. You’re dropping onto a flatbed ferry, built in the 1800s, once powered by horses on a treadmill. The wooden structure is remarkably intact, you can still see the outlines of the horse stalls. There’s a quiet stillness down there, a sense of stepping back in time. We often find brook trout darting in and out of the timbers, and the Great Pond Snails cling to the old wood. Visibility varies, but when it’s good, the sunlight filters down, illuminating the ghostly silhouette of the ferry. Our favourite time to dive it is late morning, after any overnight particulate has settled, giving you the clearest view of this underwater relic. It’s a fantastic site for anyone who appreciates wreck diving with a story, particularly those who enjoy the calmer pace of freshwater exploration.
Burnham Rocks
Burnham Rocks offers a classic New England shore dive. You'll navigate a rocky bottom, exploring kelp forests and searching crevices for lobsters and crabs. It’s a solid spot for divers who appreciate temperate water critters and don’t mind a bit of a current. Great for shaking off the rust or a relaxed afternoon dip.
Cape Neddick Nubble
Cape Neddick Nubble is a classic New England shore dive, best for divers comfortable with a rock entry. Head out from the beach, and you’ll find ledges and boulders covered in anemones and sponges. It’s a good spot for spotting lobster, cunner, and the occasional pollock in shallower water. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the region, so pick your day carefully.
Cathedral Rocks
Cathedral Rocks offers a rugged New England dive, best suited for those comfortable with chilly water and rocky topography. Below the surface, you’ll navigate large boulders and ledges, with plenty of nooks to poke around in. Expect to spot lobsters, crabs, and a variety of cold-water fish hugging the substrate. It's a solid choice for a local boat dive when conditions are calm.
Cedar Island Ledge
Cedar Island Ledge offers a typical New England dive. You'll likely find lobster and crabs tucked into the rocky crevices, along with cunner and sculpin hovering near the bottom. It's a decent spot for a shore dive when conditions are calm, best suited for divers looking for a relaxed local outing rather than big pelagics or vibrant corals. Visibility can be a gamble, but on a good day, it’s a pleasant enough rummage around.
Champlain II
The Champlain II wreck in New England isn't about tropical fish or gin-clear visibility. This is old-school wreck diving, a proper historical piece resting deep in the murky green. We love it for the sheer sense of history, the way the cold water preserves the vessel, holding it in a kind of suspended animation. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, then the superstructure emerges from the gloom, often with a powerful surge from the surface pushing you into her. You’re exploring a side-wheel passenger steamer from the 1800s, a relic of a bygone era. We always try to spend time around the paddlewheel, it’s our favourite part, feeling the sheer scale of those timbers. The main deck is still remarkably intact in places, and we’ve found sea lampreys here, surprising in their size, along with schools of Rainbow Smelt darting through the shadowed corridors created by the collapsed sections. This isn't a site for beginners; strong currents are common, and the depth means careful gas planning. It’s for divers who appreciate a challenging dive and the quiet thrill of touching history, not for those chasing brightly coloured corals.
New England Dive Centres
63 dive shops and operators in New England
Abyss Scuba
Aqua Diving Academy
Aqua Diving Academy
Aqua Plein Air
Aquatic Escapes Dive Center
ASTscuba
Bob’s Sea & Ski
Boston Scuba Inc
Ocean Wildlife in New England
35 species recorded in New England
New England Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for New England, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:04
Sunset
18:38
Daylight
13h 34m
Golden Hour
18:00
First light (dawn) at 04:34 · Last light (dusk) at 19:08
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:15 | 16:39 | 9h 24m |
| Feb | 06:47 | 17:19 | 10h 32m |
| Mar | 06:02 | 17:53 | 11h 51m |
| Apr | 05:09 | 18:28 | 13h 19m |
| May | 04:28 | 19:01 | 14h 33m |
| JunLongest | 04:11 | 19:26 | 15h 15m |
| Jul | 04:24 | 19:24 | 15h 0m |
| AugNow | 04:54 | 18:52 | 13h 58m |
| Sep | 05:27 | 18:01 | 12h 34m |
| Oct | 06:00 | 17:09 | 11h 9m |
| Nov | 06:38 | 16:28 | 9h 50m |
| DecShortest | 07:10 | 16:16 | 9h 6m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in New England.
Where to Stay near New England
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Marine Protected Areas near New England
99 protected areas near New England - please respect local regulations when diving
Cape and Islands Ocean Sanctuary
Gerry E. Studds/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Cape Cod Bay Ocean Sanctuary
Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary
North Shore Ocean Sanctuary
South Essex Ocean Sanctuary
Cape Cod National Seashore
Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
Monomoy
Cape Cod
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Showing 12 largest of 99
Getting to New England
Worcester
Boston
Providence/Warwick
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