dive New Jersey dive dive NJ dive diving New Jersey diving diving NJ diving scuba New Jersey scuba scuba NJ scuba dive New York dive dive NY dive diving New York diving diving NY diving scuba New York scuba scuba NY scuba dive Long Island dive diving Long Island diving scuba Long Island scuba North Atlantic East Coast Northeast technical dive wreck diving shipwreck artificial reef dive chart dive boat directory dive shop directory dive store directory club directory dive gear dive equipment dive training dive planning Nitrox decompression underwater photography underwater video marine weather marine forecast ocean sea lake bay shore beach river inlet biology ecology aquarium fish fishes fishing flounder fluke sharks black sea bass striped bass striper blackfish tautog great white shark mako shark man eater shark dogfish largemouth bass lobster crab jellyfish starfish seafood artifacts brass porthole bottle ship freighter tanker steamer tugboat barge news events Wreck Valley Shipwreck Expo Dutch Springs quarry Shadow Divers U-869 U-Who Andrea Doria USS Algol Redbirds subway cars rebreather
This is mainly a beach dive below the lighthouse, but the old paddlewheel
steamer Commodore was also beached on this site.
Horton's Point is located in the beautiful town of Southhold, NY and is revered by some (myself included) as one of the best beach dives on Long Island. Horton's Point boasts a wide variety of marine life to include flounders, black fish, striped bass, crabs, mussels, jellyfish and bugs (lobster to the layman). Not only is the Point a great place to dive, but it also has a historic lighthouse overlooking the beach. This is a great place to get rid of the spouse and kids while you get in some quality diving. Depth tends to be in the 14-18 ft range, which is generally matched by the visibility. There is an abundance of large boulders in the water providing a near reef-like marine habitat and current is very low even during the changing of tides as long as you don't go out past the protection of the actual point.
However, with all of the good news there tends to be some bad as well. First off, because the beach is situated below a fairly large cliff, you are forced to get suited up at your car and walk down about 120 stairs to the water. The Stairs are mostly kept in good repair by the local town, but you have to watch your step toward the end of the summer and in the off season. Getting down the stairs is not nearly as hard as getting back up the stairs, especially after a long dive. I usually take one or two breaks while heading back to my car by hanging my tank on the rail to get the weight off of my shoulders.
This brings me to another point. As with every town in Long Island, parking tends to be a problem. The lot outside of the lighthouse fence is marked as being for Southhold residents only. I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket while parked in this lot, but there is always a first time. Also, during prime time summer season the lighthouse can get pretty busy which fills up the lot. The lighthouse usually allows patrons to park inside the fenced-in area, but I would be careful doing this because the fence may close while your fighting to catch a bug 14 ft under water (and you thought the stairs were bad).
-- Roger T. Mailler
I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.
Copyright © 1996-2008 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted
