New England, United States

    General Butler

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Why dive here

    With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including nurse sharks - General Butler offers some of New England's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 4-19°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeNurse Sharks · 35+ species recorded
    Water4-19°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive

    The General Butler isn’t about colourful reefs; it’s a dive into New England’s maritime past, a chance to touch history. This isn't a Caribbean holiday, it’s a properly cool wreck, often a bit dark and silty, but that’s part of its charm. We love the way the timbers loom out of the gloom, especially when the visibility is decent – you can almost hear the creak of the old schooner. It’s not a deep dive, but it feels substantial, with plenty of nooks to poke around. Keep an eye out for those banded killifish darting amongst the broken planks; they’re surprisingly quick. We've often seen some chunky brook trout lurking in the shadows too, very at home in the wreck's shelter. This is a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, who enjoy the tactile experience of exploring something built by human hands, now reclaimed by the water. Our favourite part is navigating the main hull structure, imagining the life that played out on its deck centuries ago.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

    Today06:0217:1911h 17m daylightGolden hour 16:40

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for General Butler

    General Butler Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for General Butler, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (42.6, -70.6) (0km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    15°C

    59°F · Range: 12.8–18.1°C

    Air Temperature

    10°C

    50°F

    Wind Speed

    3.78 m/s

    7.3 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1017 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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