Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank · United States · Reef
Loblolly Cove
A quiet boulder ledge with lobsters away from the beach
Area photo: Paul Keleher from Mass, US · CC BY 2.0
Loblolly Cove is a quiet, seldom-visited shore dive in Rockport for divers of all levels. A sandy beach leads out to a ledge of boulders of mixed sizes over a bottom of sand and gravel, usually 5–11 m (15–35 ft) deep and 12 m (40 ft) at high tide, with lobsters further from the beach.
Also known as Loblolly.
Where it is and how deep
42.6413° N, 70.5937° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Loblolly Cove is a sandy beach entry, which makes getting in easy compared with the rocky coves elsewhere on Cape Ann. The bottom ranges from sand to gravel, and the main feature is a ledge of boulders of different sizes that gives the site its topography and shelters most of its marine life. The average depth is often around 5–11 m (15–35 ft).
Lobsters are more plentiful further from the beach, and venturing out from the cove is also the way to deeper water: the site reaches 12 m (40 ft) at high tide. The cove is quiet and not often visited, so the ledge is rarely crowded. A south-west wind gives the best conditions.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| 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
Loblolly, Rockport, MA Scuba Diving · iDive New England on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Loblolly Cove?+
The average depth is often around 5–11 m (15–35 ft), with a maximum of 12 m (40 ft) at high tide; it gets deeper further from the cove.
Where is the parking for Loblolly Cove?+
The small lot next to the beach is resident-only. Unload there, then park at Pebble Beach and walk back to the cove.
Sources
- Loblolly, iDive New England — iDive New England
- Diving Cape Ann — Undersea Divers
- Loblolly Cove — Scubago
More dive sites in Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank
Reef
A shallow training site known for its lobsters
Reef
An advanced shore dive to 26 m (85 ft)
Reef
A rock outcrop with a resident seal colony
An anemone-covered wall on the left side of the cove
An upturned red and black trawler at 32 m (105 ft)
A wall to 20 m (65 ft) with a chance of torpedo rays
Reef
A ramp entry onto a boulder reef starting at 6 m (20 ft)
Wreck
A 2009 fishing-boat wreck on its side at 30 m (100 ft)
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