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Map of Folly Cove
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IntermediateShore entry

Folly Cove

Massachusetts, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–24 m (10–80 ft) depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Folly Cove at a glance

Folly Cove is an intermediate shore dive site in Massachusetts, United States with depths of 3–24.4 m (10–80 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Pollock, Ocean pout, and Little skate. Recent reports put the water around 14°C (57°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Moderate window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:45

Forecast for this hour · 13:00 · run 12 h ago
0.7 m (2.2 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: Slippery rocky beach at lower tides; cold water and thermoclines; northerly exposure can funnel swell into the cove; lobster pot lines and occasional small-boat traffic at the cove mouth; depth to 70-80 ft at the left point.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun8:00–18:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–15:00 favorable, 15:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–18:00 favorable, 21:00–22:00 moderate

0.5 m waves · 8 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 9 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Wed8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–13:00 favorable, 13:00–20:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Thu8:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–18:00 moderate

0.6 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable, 18:00–22:00 moderate

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

Sat8:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–13:00 favorable, 13:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–18:00 favorable, 18:00–23:00 moderate

0.4 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.3 ft waves · 7 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 6:39 · Sunrise 7:08 · Sunset 17:45 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 9.1 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:19 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Folly Cove

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: Pollock, Little skate, Cunner
Best time: May-October on south or west winds; avoid after northerly blows. Around high tide is easiest for entry/exit. Excellent and popular night dive. Arrive early on summer weekends.

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

Folly Cove, straddling the Gloucester/Rockport line on Cape Ann's north shore, is widely regarded as the area's premier shore dive. A cobble beach between two long rocky points leads to a sheer west wall — the 'great wall' — carpeted with frilled anemones and dropping toward 70-80 ft at the left point, while the cove's sandy center holds skates and flounder. It is dived day and night year-round; the only real frictions are slippery low-tide rocks and resident-only parking at the landing.

reefshorewall

Slippery rocky beach at lower tides; cold water and thermoclines; northerly exposure can funnel swell into the cove; lobster pot lines and occasional small-boat traffic at the cove mouth; depth to 70-80 ft at the left point.

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