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Map of Isles of Shoals
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IntermediateBoat entry

Isles of Shoals

New Hampshire, United States
Open Water suggestedBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Isles of Shoals at a glance

Isles of Shoals is an intermediate boat dive site in New Hampshire, United States. Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Nudibranch, Pollock, and Cunner. Recent reports put the water around 14°C (57°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:44

Forecast for this hour · 11:00 · run 9 h ago
0.6 m (1.9 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 14°C ( · Forecast 57°F · seasonal avg 58°F)

Site hazards: Open-ocean exposure and swell, currents around the islands, cold water, boat traffic

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun8:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Tue8:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 4 kn wind (1.8 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.0 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 6 kn wind (1.0 ft waves · 6 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 17:44 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.1 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:24 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Isles of Shoals

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, Cunner, northern red anemone
Best time: Summer and early fall on calm days

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, 45% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (42°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.4 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  2. February, 32% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 4°C (40°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
  3. March, 31% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 4°C (40°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
  4. April, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 6°C (43°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  5. May, 68% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (51°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  7. July, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  9. September, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  10. October, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  11. November, 51% 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 21 knots
  12. December, 38% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (46°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 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

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A cluster of rocky islands about six miles off the NH/ME coast, straddling the state line, that is the premier boat-diving destination for New Hampshire charters. Sites around Star, White, Lunging and Smuttynose Islands offer kelp-covered ledges, boulder fields and walls with abundant lobster, fish life and frequent harbor seal encounters, in some of the clearest water in the region.

boatreefwall

Open-ocean exposure and swell, currents around the islands, cold water, boat traffic

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