IntermediateShore entry

Garbage Beach

Massachusetts, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested2–21 m depthShore entry5mm wetsuit typical

Garbage Beach at a glance

Garbage Beach is an intermediate shore dive site in Massachusetts, United States with depths of 1.5–21.3 m (5–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see American lobster, Northern sea star, and Scup. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (71°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 13h ago

0.8 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 21°C

Site hazards: Strong tidal current - Woods Hole passage has some of the strongest tidal flows in New England; abort or stay close to shore if you feel current building; heavy seasonal boat and ferry traffic in the harbor; typically poor visibility; avoid southerly winds.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Tue

Fri7:00–19:00

Sat7:00–19:00

Sun11:00–19:00

Mon7:00–19:00

Tue7:00–19:00

Wed7:00–19:00

Thu7:00–17:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:51 · Sunrise 6:19 · Sunset 18:59

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.5 km from site · graded 13h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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: American lobster, Northern sea star, Scup

Best time: About 1 hour before high tide (slack water); early morning or late day in summer to find parking; north winds give the best conditions, avoid south winds.

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.

Jan80%4°C0.9 m
Feb82%3°C0.9 m
Mar80%5°C0.9 m
Apr87%9°C0.8 m
May94%14°C0.7 m
Jun99%18°C0.6 m
Jul100%23°C0.5 m
Aug100%23°C0.6 m
Sep94%21°C0.6 m
Oct92%17°C0.7 m
Nov80%12°C0.9 m
Dec78%7°C0.9 m

July and August havetypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Garbage Beach - officially Woods Hole Waterfront Park - is a well-known local dive in Woods Hole Harbor, Falmouth: a small lawn and pocket beach next to the Marine Biological Laboratory piers. Divers enter from the beach stairs or giant-stride off the second MBL pier into an eelgrass meadow with depths from about 5 ft near shore to as much as 70 ft at high tide farther out. The site must be dived around high slack water because Woods Hole's tidal currents are powerful, and harbor boat traffic is heavy in season. Visibility is typically modest, but the eelgrass and pilings hold abundant invertebrate and fish life.

muckshore

Strong tidal current - Woods Hole passage has some of the strongest tidal flows in New England; abort or stay close to shore if you feel current building; heavy seasonal boat and ferry traffic in the harbor; typically poor visibility; avoid southerly winds.

How deep is Garbage Beach?

Garbage Beach ranges from 1.5 to 21.3 metres deep (5–70 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Garbage Beach a shore dive or a boat dive?

Garbage Beach is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The site is recorded as tide-dependent (high tide only), so check local tide tables when planning your entry. The entry area is recorded as moderately exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Garbage Beach?

Garbage Beach is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 1.5 to 21.3 metres (5–70 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Garbage Beach?

About 1 hour before high tide (slack water); early morning or late day in summer to find parking; north winds give the best conditions, avoid south winds. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Garbage Beach?

Divers at Garbage Beach in United States commonly report sightings of American lobster, Northern sea star, Scup, Black sea bass, and Longfin squid. American lobster, Northern sea star, and Scup are recorded as common sightings, while Black sea bass and Longfin squid are seasonal. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at Garbage Beach?

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.