This is an easy entry dive site that can be dove at any time during the tide, and often has good visibility.
The site has an Easterly exposure, and can have a mild current parallel to shore during the incoming/outgoing tide.
The site is not tide dependent, though entering on the incoming tide is better.. easier walk in, and usually better visibility. The site can be quite good for macro photography, and is often a "nursery" for juvenile ocean pout, sculpin, and lobsters. The site often has large Moon Snails (keep an eye out for the egg casings), and various nudibranchs. Look close for the marine life.
DIRECTIONS
The site is located in Chamcook, just outside of St. Andrews. Parking is available at the end of Dock Road.
SITE
A small cove with a sandy/rocky beach.
This is a public boat launch site so please keep the path clear for vehicles putting boats in & out of the water. It is also a popular site for kayakers to launch. The land north of the site is private and is marked, please respect the boundary and keep to the roadway, parking area and beach.
To the right of the cove, along a wall and descending to a depth of 10-30ft, there is a rocky breakdown that runs parallel to shore. There are numerous locations for lobsters to live – shine your light inside a cranny and see the lobster!! To the left of the cove is a sandy/rocky bottom. Heading straight out from the beach, the bottom turns silty and the bottom will be covered with sand dollars and cerianthid anemones.
ENTRY
Access the water from the beach. Entry will be much easier at or near High tide.
VISIBILITY
Ranges from 10-15'
WATER TEMP
32F (Feb-Mar) to 55F (Aug-Sep)
HAZARDS
Currents are not a major factor at this site. Storm conditions with a strong northerly/easterly/southerly wind may create some storm surge and lower visibility. Another safety point, if you need to head for the surface for some reason, please make sure you swim in close to the rocky edges of the cove as boats may pass through this dive site. Safety gear including a SMB, whistle and light are strongly recommended.
BOTTOM
Rocky, sandy, silty
FEATURES
The rocky ledges are home to a wide variety of marine life including crabs, lobster, sea raven, sculpin, anemones, tunicates, nudibranch, brittle star, star fish, slime worms, sponges. Life is not as concentrated as some other sites, finding critters can take patience.
REFERENCES