Carrying Cove ("Tommy's Cove") at New River Beach on the Fundy Shore is a popular check-out dive site due to its lack of currents and gentle tides.
This is an excellent novice diving site as there is plenty of life to be seen in no more than ~30 fsw.
The site has an Westerly exposure. It is accessible year round, however there will be a parking fee to access it during the summer months.
The site is not tide dependent, though entering on the incoming tide (and near high 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. Look close for the marine life!
DIRECTIONS
The site is located near Point Lepreau. Follow Carrying Cove Road and signs for the walking trail. Enter the parking area, and go to the far left where you will be overlooking a small cove.
SITE
At high tide the water access is fairly close to the parking area, however on low tide it can be quite a walk to the water's edge. Incoming tide will be easier to swim back in to shore. The bottom is rocky/sandy and changes to a silty/muddy bottom if you swim straight out. Head to the left into the rocks to see most of the life here. The Artificial Reef Society of NB completed a reef block site (Reid's Reef) near the rocky corner, look for markers.
Access the water across the beach at the end of the boat launch (depending on if the tide is in or out will determine how far you have to walk to reach the water). The rocky bottom is gently sloped with the occasional larger rock, making it very easy to walk into the water to start the dive.
Once in the water, swim straight out until you locate the line where the sand and mud meet. Follow this line to the left until you reach the rocks at the edge of the cove. Follow the rocks around to the left and you will see plenty of life. The direction of the dive will be West/Southwest. An alternative dive can be made to the right of the cove, follow the rocky edge.
ENTRY
Access the water walking in from the beach. Entry will be much easier at or near High tide.
VISIBILITY
As this site is relatively shallow, the visibility is fairly tide dependent and ranges from 10-15'. Visibility at this site will decrease after heavy precipitation or melt, or strong Northwest/Westerly wind.
WATER TEMP
37F (Feb-Mar) to 55F (Aug-Sep).
HAZARDS
Currents are not a major factor at this site. Storm conditions with a strong westerly 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. Watch for small craft.
BOTTOM
Rocky, sandy, silty
FEATURES
The rocky ledges are home to a wide variety of marine life including flounder, sand dollars, crabs, lobster, sea raven, sculpin, star fish. Life is not as concentrated as some other sites, finding critters can take patience.
In 2014 the Artificial Reef Society of NB installed blocks for an artificial reef site which is still in place today (2025).
REFERENCES
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/listing/new-river-beach-provincial-park