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Mahe Dive Sites
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L’llot
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Depth: 5 – 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers At the North Eastern tip of Beau Vallon Bay, this picturesque tiny granite island supports two coconut palms and some super marine life. The steep sides are grooved by gullies and surrounded by large granite boulders giving an array of archways and swim-through's. The island is in a regular current stream and is heavily encrusted with soft corals. This site is a popular night dives in good conditions.
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Chuckles
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Depth: 12 – 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers Almost at the North Western end of Beau Vallon Bay, this reef is a single granite massif which is deeply incised with gullies with an adjoining granite boulder field. Subject to regular current streams, the rocks are heavily encrusted with soft corals and fan corals. The steep sided gullies shelter a wealth of reef fish and invertebrate life. This site is used for night dives in good conditions.
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Vista Bay Rocks
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Depth: 5 – 13m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers Towards the North Western end of Beau Vallon Bay, these rocks comprise of a single vertical sided granite massif and two adjoining granite and coral reefs. Occasionally swept by current, the vertical sides are covered in soft corals and fan corals and are home to an impressive array of invertebrate life. The adjoining reefs are home to a number of Moray Eels and Lobsters
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Sunset Rocks
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Depth: 5 – 12m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive onto a promontory of granite which breaks the surface. A wide central channel leading towards shore is home to a variety of reef fish. The surrounding coral and granite reef shelters a number of Moray Eels and is a favorite feeding site for Bump Head Parrot Fish.
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Aquarium
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Depth: 6 – 14m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers Comprised of two huge coral heads flanked on either side by large low-lying patchwork reef, this is a favorite site for novice divers. As the name implies is home to an abundance of reef fish; a large carpet anemone at the top of one of the coral heads is the home of two large three banded Seychelles Clown Fish.
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Beau Vallon Reef
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Depth: 12m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers This is a large patchwork reef in the middle of Beau Vallon Bay. An area of hard coral with abundant reef fish, it is also visited by deeper water species and Hawksbill turtles. This site has some good invertebrate life with numerous anemones.
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Fisherman’s Cove Reef
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Depth: 9m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive and favorite site for novices, this patchwork reef is one of the closest to the Beau Vallon dive center. This gently shelving reef has abundant hard coral formations set between sand patches making it an ideal site for beginners and also macro-photographers. Feeding Hawksbill turtles are a common sight.
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Twin Barges Wreck
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Depth: 12 – 24m : Wreck
Experience Level All qualified divers These two wrecks were purposely sunk at the foot of the Corsair Reef in 1989 by the Association of Professional Divers Seychelles, and have become heavily encrusted with hard corals, fan corals and sponges. Resident Lion Fish welcome divers to this shelter for a wealth of marine life and invertebrates. Although a slightly deeper dive, it is a favorite night dive site.
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Corsair Reef
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Depth: 6 – 12m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers The largest fringing reef on north western Mahe; this shelving reef has a shallow reef top at 5 - 10 with abundant reef fish and is a regular feeding ground for Hawksbill turtles. The reef slope is characterized by several large coral heads which provide shelter for Sweet Lips, Coral Cod and the odd Lobster.
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Scala Reef
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Depth: 6 – 12m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers Towards the western end of the Corsair fringing reef system; this shelving reef has good reef fish and is a frequently visited by Hawksbill turtles. The deeper side of the reef is occasionally visited by schools of pelagic fish.
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Dredger Wreck
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Depth: 18 - 26m : Wreck
Experience Level This wreck was purposely sunk by the Association of Professional Divers Seychelles, and has become a haven for marine life including a wealth of invertebrates. It is often visited by pelagic fish and is occasionally the temporary home of large Black Groupers and juvenile Red Snappers.
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Danzille Rocks & Reef
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Depth: 6 – 18m : Granite reef with hard coral
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive onto a promontory of large granite boulders; there are several archways and swim-through's with many reef fish and a variety of Moray Eels. Hawksbill turtles feed on sponges on the fringing coral reef which is a good area for invertebrates and nudibranchs. This site is one of those used for night dives when the vertical rocks are a vivid wall of orange colour from encrusting cup corals with the reef providing the chance of finding many different crustaceans including sponge crabs.
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Horseshoe Rocks
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Depth: 8 – 14m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers A large granite massif several hundred off the coast with spur and groove formations on the off-shore side; this site occasionally picks up a long-shore current. This is a good site for reef fish, Moray Eels and invertebrates. Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be found and octopus dens are often found at the base of the granite walls.
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Whale Rock
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Depth: 8 – 14m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive onto a reef of large granite boulders stacked together to form areas of archways, swim-through's and corridors. There are many reef fish, Moray Eels, occasional Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be found while garden eels can be seen in the sand on the offshore side. This site is one of those used for night dives when the coral studded rocks are a blaze of colour.
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Willy’s Bay & Rock
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Depth: 5 – 16m : Granite and hard coral reef
Experience Level All Divers A shallow dive with a protected coral reef within the bay and a huge granite massif descending to the sandy sea bed. Common reef fish, Moray Eels and occasional Hawksbill turtles are found in the bay and there are plentiful invertebrates on the outlying rocks.
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Ray’s Point Cove
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Depth: 4 – 16m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive with large granite boulders descending from a rugged shoreline to the sea bed; many reef fish, Moray Eels, occasional Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be found.
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Ray’s Point
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Depth: 8 – 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive with large granite boulders descending from a rugged shoreline to the sea bed; many reef fish, Moray Eels, occasional Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be found.
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Bay Ternay Marine Park
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Depth: 5 – 18m : Coral Reef
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive with probably the best hard coral formations around Mahe; many reef fish, Moray Eels, good invertebrates and anemones; Hawksbill turtles are commonly seen at this site and schools of Jacks. Marine Park Regulations apply.
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Lighthouse
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Depth: 5 - 24m : Granite & hard coral reef
Experience Level All Divers An easy dive with excellent hard coral formations; many reef fish and occasional Moray Eels. Hawksbill turtles are commonly seen at this site.
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Grouper Point
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Depth: 7 - 20m : Granite & hard coral reef
Experience Level All Divers This dive may have currents dependant on seasonal influences. Large dramatic granite boulders and massifs with hard coral formations dropping to sand at 28 - 30 ; many reef fish, especially medium sized groupers, occasional Moray Eels and Hawksbill turtles. Reef sharks are sometimes seen at this site as are schooling pelagics such as Jack Fish; Whale Sharks are seen off the point during the Whale Shark season.
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Cap Ternay
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Depth: 10 – 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers At the base of the sheer granite of Cap Ternay descending into the deep water channel running up the West Coast of Mahe. The sheer sides drop steeply to a sand and boulder field at 20 . There is a regular current flow which encourages visits by Turtles, Sharks and Pelagic fish.
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Conception Arena
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Depth: 15 – 30m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers West of Conception Island, this submerged granite reef forms a natural arena with huge boulders and deeply incised gullies forming swim-through's. As an offshore area and with a shelving sandy bottom dropping away from 30 , the site is liable to current and attracts larger fish species. Visits by schooling Pelagics are common as are sightings of Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks; Whale Sharks are found in season.
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Conception South
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Depth: 10 - 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers The southern point Conception Island provides an area of steep walls, gullies and boulders which are home to an impressive number of larger reef fish and invertebrates. The site is open to current and attracts schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks.
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Plateau Lune
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Depth: 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Between Conception and Therese Islands, this can be a great drift dive with schooling pelagics.
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Therese Island
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Depth: 12 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Off the Northern point of Therese Island, this site is a little more protected than the neighboring sites and shelters a variety of larger reef fish and invertebrates. The site occasionally picks up current and with it schooling Pelagics, Stingrays and Reef sharks.
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Steps
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Depth: 12 - 20m : Granite & hard coral reef
Experience Level All Divers This dive may have currents dependant on seasonal influences. Large dramatic granite boulders and massifs with hard coral formations dropping to sand at 28 - 30 ; many reef fish, especially medium sized groupers, occasional Moray Eels and Hawksbill turtles. Reef sharks are sometimes seen at this site as are schooling pelagics such as Jack Fish; Whale Sharks are seen off the point during the Whale Shark season.
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Coral Gardens
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Depth: 10 – 14m : Coral reef
Experience Level All Divers This is a large area of patchwork reefs on a gently shelving sand bottom. This site is visited by Sting Rays and Hawksbill turtles.
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Therese South
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Depth: 15 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Off the Southern point of Therese Island, this site is a little more protected than the neighbouring sites and shelters a variety of larger reef fish and invertebrates. The site occasionally picks up current and with it schooling Pelagics, Stingrays and Reef sharks.
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Trois Dames
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Depth: 18 - 25m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Situated between Therese Island and Mahe, this submerged granite reef of huge boulders provides protection to a variety of reef fish and invertebrates. Renown for it's 'creaking rock' which moves gently in the swell pattern, the site is affected by current and is often visited by Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks.
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Iles Vaches
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Depth: 8 - 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers A small island just off the West Mahe coast, it is relatively protected but occasionally liable to current. Granite gullies and boulders provide shelter for a variety of reef fish and invertebrates and occasional schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks can be found
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Trois Bancs
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Depth: 5 - 25m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Several miles offshore, this is an area of three large submerged granite reefs made up of steeply walled massifs, deep gullies and large boulders which form a maze of swim-through's and small caves. These in turn host an impressive number of large reef fish and resident schools of Black Snappers. The site suffers occasionally from current but attracts schooling Pelagics, Barracuda, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks. Whale Sharks are also present in the right season.
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Malgas
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Depth: 15 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Several miles offshore, this is an area of submerged granite reef made up of steeply walled massifs, deep gullies and large boulders which form a maze of swim-through's and small caves. These in turn host an impressive number of large reef fish and resident schools of Black Snappers. The site suffers occasionally from current but attracts schooling Pelagics, Barracuda, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks. Whale Sharks are also present in the right season.
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Stork Patch
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Depth: 7 - 23m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Several miles offshore, this is an area of three large submerged granite reefs made up of steeply walled massifs, deep gullies and large boulders which form a maze of swim-through's and small caves. These in turn host an impressive number of large reef fish and resident schools of Black Snappers. The site suffers occasionally from current but attracts schooling Pelagics, Barracuda, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks. Whale Sharks are also present in the right season.
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Shark Bank
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Depth: 18 - 30m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Midway between Mahe and Silhouette Island, Shark Bank is the shallowest area for hundreds of kilo and is a natural focus for marine life especially pelagic fish. Granite gullies and boulders protect a resident population of reef fish and invertebrates with schools of yellow Snapper and Big Eyes being a permanent feature. The site is open to current and attracts schooling Jack Fish, Barracuda, Stingrays and Reef sharks. It is also visited by Whale Sharks in season.
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Brissare Rocks
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Depth: 12 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Situated midway between Mahe and Praslin, this remote rock has an enviable reputation for fish life; the granite massif and surrounding rocks create protected surroundings for schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of reef fish. This is also the home of some of the largest Brown Morays in the area as well as a host of invertebrates. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks and Whale Sharks in season.
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Dragon's Teeth
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Depth: 12 - 20m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Just adjacent to Brissare Rocks, this group of rocks just breaks the surface and are always seen as jagged teeth jutting out from the foaming waters, hence the name! The site has good reef fish and invertebrate life and is home to several white Tip Reef Sharks as well as large Brown Morays; Occasionally swept by current it also attracts schooling Bump Head Parrot fish, Jack Fish, Stingrays, and Whale Sharks in the right season.
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Ennerdale Wreck
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Depth: 18 - 30m Wreck
Experience Level Qualified Divers Situated midway between Mahe and Praslin, this is the wreck of a British Fleet Auxiliary tanker which foundered in 1970 on an unmarked rock, Ennerdale Rocks. Having been blown up to make her safe for shipping, most dives are on the stern of the vessel. The confines protect a huge range of reef fish, schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of invertebrates. This is also the home of numerous Brown Morays and some large Scorpion Fish. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling Pelagics, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Reef sharks and Whale Sharks in season.
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Ennerdale Rocks
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Depth: 10 - 25m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers Situated about 2 kilo from the wreck of a British Fleet Auxiliary Tanker which foundered on them, these rocks have become a haven for fish life. They shelter a variety of reef fish and are the home of large nurse sharks as well as hawksbill turtles and lobsters.
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Beacon Island
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Depth: 12 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers The most Easterly of the islands in the St. Anne Marine Park, this granite island's sides are characterized by a deep spur and groove formation on the Southern side which is home to abundant reef fish and invertebrate life. This area is visited by Turtles, Sharks and Pelagic fish. Marine Park Regulations apply.
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Pinnacle Point
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Depth 12 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers The Westerly submarine promontory of Beacon Island which is named after the three rock spires which break the surface. The granite sides are grooved and along with the boulder field are covered on coral formations giving shelter to a variety of reef fish and invertebrate life. This area is visited by Turtles, Sharks and Pelagic fish. Marine Park Regulations apply.
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Cerf Island
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Depth: 6 – 11m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers The most Westerly of the islands in the St. Anne Marine Park; this is an easy dive onto a shallow gently sloping granite and coral reef, particularly suitable for novices and macro-photographers. A reasonable selection of reef fish and invertebrates can be found and the site is occasionally visited by reef sharks. Marine Park Regulations apply.
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Harrison Rocks
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Depth: 5 - 18m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level All Divers A granite rock outside the St. Anne Marine Park; a profusion of granite boulders encrusted with coral which attracts a variety of reef fish. A reasonable selection of invertebrates can be found and the site is occasionally visited by Hawksbill turtles, schooling Pelagics and Reef sharks.
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Turtle Rocks
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Depth: 15 – 23m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers East of Seychelles International Airport, this submerged granite and coral reef is a magnet for all sorts of fish life. A good selection of invertebrates can be found and the site is occasionally visited by schooling Pelagics, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks.
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Lost City
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Depth: 18 – 25m : Granite reef with hard corals
Experience Level Qualified Divers East of Turtle Rocks, this submerged granite reef is deeply incised with gullies swim-through's and clefts providing shelter to numerous reef fish. Being further offshore and liable to current, the area also attracts larger fish species and has abundant invertebrates; it is regularly visited by schooling Pelagics, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks.
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