Folly Cove
Exploring the depths of Folly Cove allows divers to witness a multitude of marine wonders. From vibrant invertebrate life such as anemones to majestic crustaceans and fish, this dive site promises a mesmerizing underwater experience.
Folly Cove, located in Rockport, Massachusetts, is renowned for being one of the most popular shore dives in the area. Its unique geography provides divers with the opportunity to explore various underwater landscapes and encounter a diverse array of marine species. Divided by a sandy strip, divers can choose between two distinct areas for their exploration. The left rock wall is teeming with fascinating invertebrates, while the right side offers a captivating boulder field.
To access the cove, simply follow a dirt path that leads to the rocks, which serves as the entry point. It's important to note that the entry can be slippery, so caution is advised. Optimal diving conditions are during high tide when fewer rocks are exposed. Although parking directly at the cove is not available, there is a convenient parking spot just a short distance away on Washington Street, which later becomes Granite Street.
Divers can expect a visibility of 5 meters and a maximum depth of 11 meters during their dive in Folly Cove. Its accessibility, diverse marine ecosystems, and captivating underwater scenery make it a must-visit dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Plan your next dive adventure in Folly Cove, Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, and explore the wonders that await beneath the surface.
Diving Conditions Score for Folly Cove
Average conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Folly Cove
Depth
11m
Visibility
5m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Folly Cove
Wave Height
1.3m
Wind Speed
32 m/s
Water Temp
13.3°C
Visibility
24.1km
Cloud Cover
0%
Wave Period
4.65s
Air Temperature
19.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Folly Cove
Best time to dive: 9:00 with score 7.179644012944984/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.42m, Wind 14.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 4:00 with score 6.692482269503546/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Folly Cove are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.42m (5.15s), Wind: 14.9 m/s
Score: 6.7/10
Waves: 0.48m, Wind: 10.2 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Folly CoveAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Folly Cove
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Folly Cove
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Folly Cove
Ideal Conditions for Folly Cove
Water Temp
23.4°C / 74.1°F
July
Visibility
13.1m / 43.0ft
December
Wave Height
1.4m / 4.6ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Folly Cove
Folly Cove shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (23.4°C) and January the coldest (-6.7°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 18, 2026