Acadia National Park

You'll want to wear your drysuit if you scuba dive in Acadia National Park, because the water is cold. Very cold. The park is located in Maine's Schoodic Peninsula, nearby Bass Harbor, and the visibility is best during the springtime. It's more than likely that you'll see lobsters among the beautiful marine creatures underwater, but don't take them: It's illegal for scuba divers to take lobsters. If you're shore diving, you'll want to plan your dive at high tide to ease your entry and exit. The better diving (i.e. unlimited dive sites) is accessed by boat.

Location: The park is just outside Bar Harbor, Maine. Most sites are off Mount Desert’s Atlantic Ocean and Blue Hill Bay coasts, Schoodic Peninsula and Somes Sound. Divers can rent tanks at Harbor Divers in Bass Harbor.

When to Go: Summer months are best, with ­midsummer water temps ranging from 50 degrees at the surface down to about 37 degrees at deeper depths.

Visibility: Viz varies ­depending on the season, usually from 10 to 30 feet.

Dive Conditions: Expect tidal currents and cold water, and if you're shore diving be careful with your entry and exit, as it can be tricky.

Dive Experience: Advanced open water scuba certification or skills are a must to handle the e­xtreme tidal currents, frigid — sometimes turbulent — waters, and tricky shore entries.

Dive Site Overview: Shore diving is limited due to the rugged coastline, but boat diving offers unlimited access to a number of fantastic dive sites. At Otter Point off Mount Desert’s southeast coast, you’ll find huge, fanciful basket sponges, plus eagle rays and sharks. Boat charters can get you to drop-offs plastered by colorful crabs, lobsters and frilled anemones, and the harbor seal rookery on Little Duck Island.

For more, go to nps.gov/submerged/parks/acad.html

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