
Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank · United States · Reef
Dry Salvages
A rock outcrop with a resident seal colony
Area photo: Paul Keleher from Mass, US · CC BY 2.0
Dry Salvages is a small cluster of rocks off Rockport on Cape Ann that is home to a colony of seals. It is a charter-boat dive for intermediate divers with boat experience, reaching 21 m (70 ft) at high tide over big boulders and crevices.
Also known as Salvages.
Where it is and how deep
42.6723° N, 70.5680° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Dry Salvages is reached only by charter boat, and this is open ocean rather than a sheltered cove, so the site asks for divers with boat experience. Entry is by giant stride or back roll beside a small conglomeration of rocks that is home to a colony of seals.
Under the surface the draw is the topography: big boulders and crevices to swim around, down to 21 m (70 ft) at high tide. Work a route through the boulders; curious seals often leave the rocks to come face to face with divers. Finish the dive back at the boat for the ride home.
Marine life and season
- Seals & sea lions
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank: Cape Ann Diver II generally runs from 1 April to 31 October; winter and off-season diving depends on weather and demand.
Dive videos
Scuba Diving Dry Salvages Cape Ann, Massachusetts · iDive New England on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Are there seals at Dry Salvages?+
Dry Salvages is a small group of rocks off Cape Ann that is home to a colony of seals, and it is dived by charter boat.
How deep is Dry Salvages?+
The site reaches 21 m (70 ft) at high tide, over big boulders and crevices.
Sources
- Dry Salvages (boat dive), iDive New England — iDive New England
- Cape Ann Diving — Cape Ann Diving
- Dry Salvages, OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap
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Wreck
A 2009 fishing-boat wreck on its side at 30 m (100 ft)
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