By Stephen J. Bigelow
The search for fun and exciting encounters leads recreational scuba divers to various locations around New England. Really, there are lots of terrific shore and boat sites to choose from, but successful seal dives off the Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire rank as some of the most enjoyable outings that divers can experience with their fins on.
It’s easy to understand why; seals are simply adorable, and they have a playful non-aggressive reputation, so most divers jump at the chance for close encounters with the gray and harbor seals that inhabit the area.
Getting there isn’t nearly half the fun
On Monday, July 11, 2011, three MetroWest Dive Club members (Andrea Dec, Jim Guertin and Roy Mennell) joined four other divers on the Daybreaker with Captains Fran and Matt Marcoux. The day was hot and humid, but the seas were calm during the entire 45 minute trip from Rye Harbor, New Hampshire.
Remember that the travel time and remote destination make for a pricier dive charter than usual, so expect to pony up a bit more money for the trip.
“The trip cost $120, which included personalized service, lunch, cold drinks and water,” said Andrea Dec. “Plus a good dive briefing at each dive site.”
Getting up close and personal
The long travel time left ample opportunity for diver chatter and gearing up for the dives. Once the Daybreaker reached the Isles of Shoals, it was easy to see several seals in the water and many seals resting on the nearby land – a simple giant stride was all that was needed to get into the water. “We were in a range of 10 to 47 feet, and the water temp was about 53 degrees Fahrenheit,” Andrea said. “There was a bit of surge at shallow depths, so the best depth for that day was 20 to 25 feet.”
The seals did not disappoint. Club divers all reported that the seals started off a bit cautious and kept a comfortable distance, but started to approach the divers more closely as they realized that the divers were not a danger. It didn’t take long for the seals to respond, and the interaction could not have been better. “A couple of the medium sized ones were coming up behind us and tugging on our fins gently,” she said.
Andrea recalls the encounter vividly. “Then there was one large seal that took a liking to me and wanted to get face to face. At first he came nose to nose with my camera and then he went in an upright position and started to wink at me and twirl around. At one point it looked like he was smiling looking up at the surface.
This went on for a little while and then off into the blue.”
With such personal interaction, it’s a perfect opportunity for photographers to try their skills with the ambient light at shallow depths. “I shoot using ambient light with an upward angle on the camera,” said Jim Guertin, who also took many of the photos that you see in this article. “If they playfully bite your hood, use your arm - not your fingers - to brush them away.”
Seal-ing the deal
Seal diving can put a smile on the face of even the most hardened diver, but there are just a few precautions to keep in mind. Remember that seals are all wild animals in spite of their placid reputation, so it’s best keep your fingers close to the body and move slowly.
“You really don’t want to spook the seals, so the best thing to do is get to the bottom or find a comfortable rock and sit still; let the seals approach you,” Andrea said.
Also remember that patience and good judgment will pay off. “I have had some interaction happening, only to have a newbie rush in to see the seal and chase it a way,” Jim said. “I found that the goofier you act trying to imitate them, the better the interaction is. Also once you have their attention and ignore them, they may try to get your attention.”
Where there are seals, there can also be sharks – especially in the height of summer when waters are warmer. Still, the probability of an actual encounter is extremely remote, and divers have little real cause to worry.
The Daybreaker’s passengers enjoyed a pair of hour-long dives, and Andrea sums up the experience best. “If you ever get the opportunity to dive with the seals, it will be a worthwhile trip.” ■
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