Folly cove sits at the top of the Cape Ann peninsula. You can dive this site on either the left or right side though the wall on the left is more popular. This is a great dive for newer divers especially at high tide. Low tide exposes over fifty feet of bowling ball sized boulders that have to be walked over in full gear making the entry and exits somewhat dangerous. During high tide you can swim over most of these.
OPTIMAL TIDE: High
DIFFICULTY: Easy at optimal conditions, hard entry/exit at low tide
EXPOSURE: North Eastern
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: G-MAPS from Boston
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DIVE DESCRIPTION (Left side wall): The left side wall starts below the brown house in about 15 feet of water. The wall runs straight out to sea. Navigation is easy here by keeping the wall on your left heading out and on your right while coming back in. At the point beyond the cove where the wall turns to the left you can reach depths in excess of 60 feet. Scan the wall at different depth for a variety of life.
DIVE DESCRIPTION (Right side boulders): The rocks on the right continue around Cape Ann and reach depths in excess of 50 feet. This is a far less interesting dive than its counterpart to the right but is more likely to hold lobsters. It is approximately a 100 yard swim before reaching any real depth. The middle of the cove holds some interesting bottom topography. For those with better air consumption and good compass work a traverse from one side to the other is possible.
PARKING: Parking is manageable at Folly. There is a small lot directly in front of the site. Most locals won’t have a problem with you parking at the lot off season it isn’t for sure. It is not worth the risk on season, especially on the weekends. During these time most people will park across the street from the lobster restaurant slightly up the road towards Rockport. Do not park in the lot for the restaurant, they will tow you.
