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Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove)

Massachusetts, United StatesDirections
AOW suggestedOne of Cape Ann's most dangerous entries/exits5–15 m (15–50 ft) depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove) at a glance

Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove) is an advanced shore dive site in Massachusetts, United States with depths of 4.6–15.2 m (15–50 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see American lobster, Sea raven, and Northern sea star. 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 17:45

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 11 h ago
0.6 m (1.8 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: One of Cape Ann's most dangerous entries/exits

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun8:00–18:00 favorable

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

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 6 kn wind (1.3 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue8:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 9 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 4 kn wind (1.4 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Thu8:00–18:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 12 kn wind (1.4 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.8 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 5.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 01:25 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Magnolia Rocks (Kettle 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: American lobster, Northern sea star, Cunner
Best time: Flat-calm summer days with northerly or offshore winds; avoid entirely with any southerly wind or existing swell.

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

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

Magnolia Rocks (at Kettle Cove in Gloucester's Magnolia village) is a long granite ledge sloping into the sea, fronting a sand bottom strewn with medium and large boulders that run several hundred yards offshore. The boulder field shelters abundant lobsters and fish life, but the bare ledge entry is fully exposed to southerly swell and is considered one of the most hazardous entries/exits on Cape Ann — strictly a calm-day site for experienced divers.

reefshore

One of Cape Ann's most dangerous entries/exits — bare sloping ledge fully exposed to southerly wind and swell, with seas that can build within the span of a single dive; slippery rock; cold water; surge over the boulder field; no easy alternate exit. Dive only on flat-calm days.

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