Huw Porter wrote:
> I'm in Boston week after next on business, and I've managed to get the
> 27th/28th in the States as well.  I was hoping to get a bit of (easy
> recreational) diving in while I'm there, but I havn't had much luck
> organising anything so far.
>
> I've spoken to Cape Ann Divers, who are running trips, but
> told me a) the
> water is around 42 degF (6 degC) and b) they don't hire
> drysuits.  Does
> that sound as little fun to anyone else? :-)
>
> Anyone recommend an operation easily accessible from Boston,
> bearing in
> mind I'll be travelling light and want to spend as little
> cash as possible?

Hi,

I did quite a lot of diving around Boston when I lived there a couple of
years ago. The water is COLD at this time of year, but it's definitely worth
the effort. You really do want a drysuit, although I know a few hardy souls
who are happy diving wet.

Most of the diving I did was shore based, at various locations around Cape
Ann. The dives are all pretty shallow, but there's lots to see. I have also
been on boat dives with Cape Ann Divers, and I really enjoyed them. However,
the club I was in took over the boat for the day, so I can't comment on
their regular trips. If you'd like to do a shore dive, I'd recommend getting
in touch with people from the New England Aquarium Dive Club
(www.neadc.org). They meet fairly informally for shore dives most weekends,
and should be able to recommend somewhere to rent equipment. A lot of the
faces have changed since I was there, but if you contact the president or
the program coordinator they should remember me:-) If you don't have any
luck, let me know and I could e-mail a couple of friends in Boston for you.

Best wishes,

Jane