Skip to content
Map of Cathedral Rocks
Add the first photo
AdvancedShore entry

Cathedral Rocks

Massachusetts, United States
AOW suggestedFully exposed to open-ocean swell6–24 m depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Cathedral Rocks at a glance

Cathedral Rocks is a 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 American lobster, Frilled anemone (Metridium), and Striped bass. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (62°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
0.5 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 17°C · seasonal avg 19°C

Site hazards: Fully exposed to open-ocean swell

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon6:00–21:00
Tue6:00–15:00
Wed—
Thu—
Fri7:00–21:00
Sat6:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 4:55 · Sunrise 5:28 · Sunset 20:09

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.3 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: American lobster, Frilled anemone (Metridium), Pollock
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. Jan34%6°C1.5 m
  2. Feb36%5°C1.4 m
  3. Mar35%5°C1.6 m
  4. Apr59%7°C1.2 m
  5. May70%11°C1.1 m
  6. Jun82%16°C0.8 m
  7. Jul90%19°C0.7 m
  8. Aug85%19°C0.8 m
  9. Sep77%19°C1.1 m
  10. Oct58%15°C1.3 m
  11. Nov43%12°C1.2 m
  12. Dec38%8°C1.4 m

July hastypically 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

  • American lobsterCommonly seen
  • Frilled anemone (Metridium)Commonly seen
  • Striped bassSeasonal
  • PollockCommonly seen
  • Tautog (blackfish)Occasionally seen
  • BluefishSeasonal
  • CunnerCommonly seen
  • Sea ravenOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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.

Reviews

No reviews yet — this site is waiting for its first. Dived here? Your rating and a few lines help the next diver.

Spot something off?

Help keep this listing accurate for the next diver.