DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA ISSUE 413 AUGUST 25

mazing’ where we found a large pinnacle and several smaller ones hosting more swim throughs, Angels, Box Fish and several species of nemos. The walls were again covered with large Gorgonian Fans, Soft and Hard Corals and a variety of Sea Squirts. Day two saw us off to the Conservation Park, where we found the best diving which made the longer boat trips well worth it. At a site called ‘Black

Alpheid Shrimp g o b y close up.

Magic’ we found ourselves surrounded by schools of

Barracuda and the ever-present Rainbow Runners. We were also lucky to photograph the relatively rare Leafy Scorpion Fish as well as several species of nemos. Then it was off to ‘Mellow Yellow’ where two bommies are covered with beautiful yellow corals that give it it’s name. We also encountered many fish species including Lionfish, Lizard Fish and a large yellow Flute Fish. Out of the blue for a single pass came one of the biggest Spanish Mackerel we had ever seen. It was great to see that the large fish species are returning to Fiji after COVID over fishing and obviously the security of the Conservation Park has had an impact. After lunch we had exploratory dives off the resort’s beach amongst the muck looking for Sea Horses, Pipe Fish and Nudibranchs and in the Mangroves, looking for whatever we could find. Day Three saw us at ‘Golden Dream’ comprising of several coral outcrops and swim-throughs surrounded by a sandy bottom. It is renowned for its

variety of nudibranchs, massive schools of coral fish, Gorgonian Fans and Whip Corals. Then off to ‘Bula Maker’ a similar site to Golden Dream with more swim-throughs, a lot of different coloured Gorgonian Fans and populated by various species of nudibranchs. Then after a late lunch we were at ‘Always Cool’ which almost turned out to be a night dive under the heavy cloud cover of an afternoon storm. Nevertheless, it was an interesting dive with the usual collection of marine life to photograph. For the next two days after the passing storm of the previous day, we spent our time in the calmer waters on the main reef adjacent to the resort at dive sites called Jemma, Show Girl, De Jarvu, Chile, Nemo’s Playground and Cannibal Cave. Apart from usual collection of marine life, wonderful swim-throughs enclouded in schools of Anthias, Chromis and Damsels these dives reflected a wide range of geographical characteristics and hosted distinctive marine life to make the dives extremely pleasant. In

Orange Anemone fish, Amphiprion periderion on a giant anemone

Dot and Dash Butterflyfish

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DIVE LOG Australasia #413 - August 25

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