Surrounding Island Reefs There are a number of reefs surrounding the Island from down under the mountains with spectacular land scenery, the front reefs outside the Islands lagoon and around to the back of the Island near Middle beach. These dive sites range in depth from 10 – 30 meters and generally present great visibility with a good variety of marine life.

School of Trevally at the Arch.Octopus Gardens The depth ranges from 12m to18m. A large reef system where you can cover a lot of area or just potter around under the boat. Head north over the sand to a large canyon in 16m that takes you in towards the island. Lots of plate coral that support    plentiful fish life such as Moorish Idols, Spotted Sweetlips, and schools of Moonwrasse.  Interesting/Rare Species; Nudibranchs-Sinuate Ceratosoma, and Racoon Butterflyfish                                   

The arch                                                                              The depth ranges from 6 to 16m. The boat will anchor in 6m where you can drop over the reef ledge and follow a sand channel down and thru a coral Arch way. At the Arch expect to see schools of Painted Morwong, Blue-fin Trevally, and the more common Silver Trevally. A diligent search under the Arch itself will reveal Banded-Boxer Shrimp, Gobies, and Nudibranchs. Once past the Arch you may turn south and explore a couple of small gullies occupied by Coral Crayfish, Lord Howe Moray Eels and countless Cardinal fish or proceed to the north and swim along The Crevice, a large gutter that slices the reef back in towards the island.

Photo by Heiko Blessin 

Le Myrth Reef

Located just outside the North passage of the lagoon this dive site ranges in depth from 5 to 16m. Follow the reef towards the passage past large Acropora corals that shelter juvenile Painted Crayfish, Slate Bream and Southern White Spot Octopus. There are also plenty of juvenile wrasse species on the reef top such as Bird Wrasse, Five-Banded Wrasse and New Guinea Wrasse.


North Head Gutters

Depth ranges from 6 to 20m

Named after the numerous swim-thrus that run out from the reef into deeper water, this is a challenging dive to navigate. Watch out for the territorial and aggressive Banded-Scalyfin (or Bookfish as it is known locally).This overgrown Damselfish has scared the life out of many unsuspecting divers as it charges up and makes a loud crack with its jaw while threatening to bite the intruder.

Also keep an eye trained for Ornate Butterflyfish and Splendid Hawkefish perched on the lips of hard corals.

Photo by Heiko Blessin