SORE THUMB

DIRECTIONS:                                  (Babylon, Suffolk County)

NOTE: A four-wheel-drive vehicle or boat will be needed to reach this dive site.

Take Southern State Parkway to Exit 40 South. Drive south on Robert Moses Causeway over two bridges and get off on Ocean Parkway West. The Sore Thumb is located on the left, directly opposite Democrat Point. Please check with local authorities for a beach permit in order to legally drive on the beach.

CONDITIONS:

The dive site is located on the west side of Fire Island Inlet. It is not, however, on the point, but rather tucked in, around the bend, in a cove on the bay or north side of the inlet. Divers will find loads of submerged rocks here with pretty decent visibility.

The current in Fire Island Inlet is usually very strong, but divers with whom I've talked say that shelter can be found by staying within the small cove. This is true as long as dives are made during the incoming tide. During an outgoing tide this cove is open to the current's force and will not shelter divers, so be sure to keep a good eye on changing conditions. Dives should be planned towards the end of the incoming tide and during high slack. The dive should be ended as soon as the tide turns to go out. Divers will want to make sure their underwater compass navigation techniques have been well practiced. It's a lot easier and much more enjoyable to navigate back to shore beneath the surface rather than to struggle with on-surface swimming.

Divers also should note that the inlet itself is very busy with boat traffic. Staying close to a diver's flag, even while within the protected cove, is a must.

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