409 Dive Log Australasia December 24

Another healthy Reef scene

Circling Barracuda

has it all plus it is excellent for those interested in Sea Squirts and Hydroids. ‘Challenger Bay’ is also a fantastic dive for those with an interest in small subjects such as nudibranchs and small reef fish but additionally look out for a sleeping Leopard Shark on the sand. ‘Goggle Gardens’ is legendary for macro photography, but also for its schools of Cuttlefish and excellent corals. ‘Vertical Gardens’ has always produced Leopard Blennies, Lionfish, large gorgonian fans, Clown Trigger fish, Whitetip Reef Shark, schooling Yellow Snapper and the large potential for a Manta Ray encounter. At ‘Coral Kingdom’ you will marvel at the various coral species, and meet-up with large cuttlefish, schools of Sweet Lip, Trevally, Marble Rays and White Tip Reef Sharks. In the shallows you will also see schools of Bump Head Parrot Fish.

At the top of #9, ‘West End’ is known for its large gorgonian fans, Lionfish, Angel Fish, swim-through caves, and White Tip Reef Sharks. Dive sites at Ribbon #8 include ‘Table Tops’, ‘Harrier Reef’ and ‘Don’s Diner’. At these sites you will encounter Box Fish, Clown Trigger Fish, Angels, Nemos, Spotted Rays and massive schools of Fusiliers and the occasional Leopard Shark. Ribbons #7 and #6 are not visited all that often but nevertheless have fantastic coral cover and marine life. Ribbon #5 dive sites include ‘Rouge Reef’, ‘Andy’s Post Card’, ‘Gorgonian Wall’, ‘Clam Beds’ and ‘Blue Hole’. Most are appropriately named after what they offer the diver. Then there would be the world famous ‘Cracker Jack’ - a ‘not to be missed’ dive - with massive outcrops of Elephant Ear Corals,

Schooling Glasseyes

DIVE LOG Australasia #409 - December ‘24 47

www.divelog.net.au