Stage fort is actually 2 dives in one. You can dive off the main beach or off the side beach known as half moon cove. The main beach has a large rock pile directly off the beach and half moon has a shallow wall with some unique sea life. The parking at this site is easy though on season you do need to pay to park in the lot. There are bathrooms on site. There is also a small restaurant and picnic area. It’s a nice area that is often protected from the wind. It certainly isn’t the nicest dive but on a day where every other site is blown out it is often a good option.
OPTIMAL TIDE: Any but at low tide you may be walking instead of swimming
DIFFICULTY: Easy
EXPOSURE: South and East
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: G-MAPS from Boston
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DIVE DESCRIPTION (Main Beach): The main beach is the deeper side to dive. The entry is right off the beach so it’s nice and easy. the dive is mostly sand but if you swim straight out the is a fairly interesting rock pile out there. You can also dive the rock wall to the left but the dive is shallow.
DIVE DESCRIPTION (Half Moon Cove): The small cove may be the most protected dive in Cape Ann. It also may be the shallowest dive in Cape Ann. The dive is a nice change of pace from the rest of the north shore. While shallow it is a very bright dive with unique sea life.
PARKING: Pull into the lot, pay the money, park the car… Boom, done.
