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AdvancedShore entry

Cathedral Rocks

Massachusetts, United StatesDirections
AOW suggestedFully exposed to open-ocean swell6–24 m (20–80 ft) depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Cathedral Rocks at a glance

Cathedral Rocks is an advanced shore dive site in Massachusetts, United States with depths of 6–24.4 m (20–80 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Frilled anemone (Metridium), American lobster, and Sea raven. Recent reports put the water around 14°C (57°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–18:00 · moderate · sunset 17:43

Forecast for this hour · 4:00 · run 2 h ago
0.6 m (2.0 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 14°C · seasonal avg 15°C ( · Forecast 57°F · seasonal avg 59°F)

Site hazards: Fully exposed to open-ocean swell

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Wed
Mon8:00–18:00 moderate

0.5 m waves · 9 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Tue16:00–18:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 10 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed8:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 moderate

0.5 m waves · 11 kn wind (1.7 ft waves · 11 kn wind)

Fri8:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–18:00 moderate

0.4 m waves · 12 kn wind (1.3 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Sat8:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.8 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sun8:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–18:00 moderate

0.5 m waves · 9 kn wind (1.5 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:40 · Sunrise 7:09 · Sunset 17:43 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.3 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 01:21 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Cathedral Rocks

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Frilled anemone (Metridium), American lobster, Cunner
Best time: Calm summer days (June-September) with offshore (W/SW) winds and minimal swell, near high tide only.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 34% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
  2. February, 36% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 5°C (40°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  3. March, 35% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 5°C (40°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  4. April, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 7°C (44°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  5. May, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (52°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  6. June, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  7. July, 90% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  9. September, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  10. October, 58% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  11. November, 43% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  12. December, 38% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Cathedral Rocks is an advanced shore dive off the granite cliffs of Pigeon Cove, Rockport, reached by climbing down jagged rocks to a slab entry. Straight out the bottom drops to about 80 ft, with boulder ledges left and right famous for large lobsters, anemone-covered rock and gamefish. Conditions must be near perfect: ocean swell makes the climb-out dangerous, so it is dived far less often than neighboring beaches.

reefshorewall

Fully exposed to open-ocean swell — exit becomes dangerous if conditions deteriorate mid-dive; jagged rocky cliffs to climb down with full gear; slippery rock slab entry, very difficult at low tide; cold water; entanglement in kelp and pot lines. Dive only in flat-calm conditions.

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