Paddy's Head

This dive site, Paddy’s Head, offers an accessible and rewarding experience for divers of all skill levels. Located in Indian Harbour, off Paddy's Head Road near St. Margaret's Bay, it is easily reachable from Tantallon via highway 333 towards Peggy's Cove. The area boasts a diverse marine ecosystem, including lobsters, various fish species like sculpins, flounders, sea raven and torpedo rays. Facing Northwest, the best diving conditions typically occur with east, southeast or northeast winds – avoid west wind due to potential wave formation. Entry and exit are exceptionally easy, providing convenience for divers. The site features a depth range extending from 5 feet/5 meters to a maximum of 60 feet/18.29 meters, with an average depth of approximately 20 feet/6.1 meters. Deeper areas require careful gas management during exploration and ascent. The seabed consists primarily of gently sloping sand, bordered by rocky shoreline interspersed with eel grass or kelp beds. A training block is situated about 33m (100ft) from shore at a depth ranging from 18 feet/5.49 meters to 22 feet/6.71 meters, making it an ideal spot for attaching a diver float. From the training block, a straight swim of roughly 25 feet/7.62 meters leads to a large boulder, after which a slight left turn reveals lobster habitats at depths between 25 and 30 feet/7.62 and 9.14 meters—these habitats were established by DFO as part of a habitat replacement study. The cove's left side is characterized by extensive eel grass extending to depths up to 60 feet/18.29 meters, while the north end features numerous large boulders near the training block at around 20 feet/6.1 meters depth, offering prime lobster-hunting grounds. Further along the cove’s bend and over a rock wall, depths can easily reach 60 feet/18.29 meters or greater.