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Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove)

Massachusetts, United States
AOW suggestedOne of Cape Ann's most dangerous entries/exits5–15 m depthShore entry5mm wetsuit typical

Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove) at a glance

Magnolia Rocks (Kettle Cove) is a 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, Cunner, and Striped bass. Recent reports put the water around 17°C (63°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 5h ago
0.4 mwaves — under half a meter expected

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

Site hazards: One of Cape Ann's most dangerous entries/exits

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon6:00–21:00
Tue6:00–21:00
Wed6:00–12:00
Thu—
Fri6:00–21:00
Sat6:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 4:56 · Sunrise 5:29 · Sunset 20:09

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 5.7 km from site · graded 5h 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, Cunner, Rock crab
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. 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
  • CunnerCommonly seen
  • Striped bassSeasonal
  • Rock crabCommonly seen
  • Sea ravenOccasionally seen
  • Northern sea starCommonly seen
  • Frilled anemone (Metridium)Occasionally seen
  • PollockOccasionally seen

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.

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.

Reviews

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