donferris.com · Independent Reference
Massachusetts dive guide with visibility and wildlife notes for Magnolia Rocks.
Dive Spot Guide•
Magnolia Rocks
Challenging Cape Ann shore dive with lobstering and rock ledges.
A rocky Gloucester shore site with ledges, boulders, and crevasses that can turn rough quickly. It rewards calm high-tide days and experienced divers who are comfortable on New England entries.
About Magnolia Rocks
Magnolia Rocks is a challenging Gloucester shore dive with a rocky ledge, boulders, and crevasses that make the underwater terrain interesting once you clear the entry. The site is best on calm, high-tide days with very light N/NW wind, because swells can build quickly and the entry and exit can turn from awkward to serious in a short time. Lobsters are a big draw, and other cold-water fish move through the ledges and cracks.
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Research Estimate At Magnolia Rocks
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 12m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Magnolia Rocks?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Magnolia Rocks Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
4.5m - 12.2m
Depth Note
Descriptions cluster around roughly 15-40 feet, with the ledge sloping to boulders and sand.
Best Season
High tide on calm days, especially with very low N/NW wind in summer.
Typical Conditions
A rocky ledge slopes gradually into the water, and swells can build quickly enough to change the dive.
Safety & Access At Magnolia Rocks
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Restricted accessSurgeWaves
Safety Notes
The entry can become dangerous when swells build, and the site can change from manageable to rough within a single dive window. Stay patient, watch the sets, and only enter when the conditions are truly calm.
Access Restrictions
Resident-only parking is used near the site, and the direct entrance in front of the intersection should be avoided because of local access-right concerns.
Legal Notes
Respect the designated public access route and local parking rules. Do not block residential access when gearing up or exiting.
Local Intel For Magnolia Rocks
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best treated as an experienced shore dive with a careful surface plan and a willingness to abort if the sets build.
Freediving
Only for confident freedivers on exceptionally calm days; the site is much better suited to scuba.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is limited by the rocky entry and changing swell; it is not a casual beach snorkel.
Wildlife at Magnolia Rocks
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Magnolia Rocks
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Magnolia Rocks
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility12m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
