Niles Beach in Cape Ann offers a shallow, accessible shore dive suitable for beginners. The site features a combination of reef structure and seagrass beds at a consistent depth of 6 metres. Visibility is typically around 5 metres, providing a manageable environment for close-range observation. While the site itself lacks current, divers must remain aware of potential rip currents when entering from the shore. Water temperatures fluctuate significantly throughout the year, ranging from 5C to 18C, necessitating appropriate thermal protection. Toilets are available at the beach, but visitors should arrive prepared with all necessary equipment as other facilities are limited.

Brace Cove is a reef site located 100 metres offshore in Cape Ann, accessible only by boat. The site features depths ranging from 5 to 12 metres, with an average depth of 8 metres. Visibility typically spans 5 to 10 metres. Conditions include mild currents, though divers must remain vigilant regarding surge, swell, and boat traffic during ascents. The water is cold, ranging from 5C to 16C, necessitating thick thermal protection such as a drysuit or thick wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots. Due to potential entanglement risks and surf at the entry point, this site is best suited for divers prepared for cold-water environments.

The Chester Poling is a notable shipwreck located 7400 metres off Cape Ann. Resting on a sandy bottom at depths between 21 and 58 metres, this site is strictly for advanced divers due to its depth, cold water temperatures, and potential for strong currents. The wreck features plumose anemones, lemon nudibranchs, and finger sponges. Species recorded around this area include wrasses, common lobster, various crab species, common sea stars, temperate bass, and righteye flounder. Divers must access the site by boat. Hazards include boat traffic, entanglement risks, and significant temperature drops below the surface layer. Typical dive times are approximately 45 minutes.

Normans Woe is a rocky reef and artificial reef site located off the coast of Cape Ann. Divers can explore depths ranging from 2 to 15 metres, with an average depth of 15 metres. The site is accessed via a shore entry, which requires navigating surf and rocky terrain. Conditions include moderate to strong currents, surge, and visibility between 5 and 10 metres. Due to the presence of overhead environments, entanglement risks, and boat traffic, this site is suited for advanced divers. Water temperatures are cold, ranging from 5C to 16C, necessitating appropriate thermal protection. Divers should time their entry around slack water to manage tidal flow.

Stage Fort Park in Cape Ann offers a shallow, accessible shore dive within Gloucester Harbor. The site features a sandy bottom, seagrass beds, and a rocky cove, making it suitable for beginners. Divers typically experience depths averaging 6 metres, with a maximum of 11 metres. Conditions include mild currents and water temperatures ranging from 5C to 19C. Due to the risk of cold water, hypothermia, low visibility, and boat traffic, the use of a dive flag is essential. Facilities at the park include parking, toilets, showers, and a cafe, supporting a typical dive duration of 45 minutes.

Salt Island, located off Cape Ann, features a combination of reef and kelp forest topography. This site is accessed by boat and offers shallow depths ranging from 2 to 6 metres. Divers should be prepared for moderate currents, surge, and swell, which require careful positioning near the rocks. Visibility at the site typically ranges between 3 and 9 metres. Due to water temperatures fluctuating between 5C and 19C, appropriate thermal protection is necessary. This site is suited for intermediate divers who can manage variable conditions and cold water environments.

Magnolia Rocks in Cape Ann is a reef and kelp forest site suited for advanced divers. The topography features small crevasses that provide habitat for common lobsters. Divers can access the site via shore or boat, with depths ranging from 10 to 30 metres and an average of 20 metres. Conditions include mild currents and visibility between 5 and 15 metres. Be aware of hazards such as cold water, surge, surf, and potential entanglement in the kelp. Parking is available at the site. Species recorded around this area include harbor seals, gray seals, wrasses, common lobsters, horseshoe crabs, pufferfish, sea ravens, pipefish, shrimp, common sea stars, rock crabs, temperate bass, and various crabs.

Picketts Point is a reef structure located 1500 metres off Cape Ann. The site features depths ranging from 10 to 18 metres and requires boat access. Divers should be prepared for variable conditions, with visibility typically between 5 and 10 metres and water temperatures fluctuating from 5 to 16 degrees Celsius. While currents are generally absent, significant surge and swell can occur. Hazards include boat traffic, entanglement risks, and sea urchins. Divers must use a surface marker buoy during ascent to alert boat traffic. Species recorded around this area include ocean sunfish, harbor seals, gray seals, common lobster, wrasses, sea ravens, horseshoe crabs, pufferfish, rock crabs, shrimp, common sea stars, temperate bass, and righteye flounder.