Page 469 - Melanesia
P. 469
MARY ISLAND: Remote, jungle-clad, uninhabited sharks, turtles and teeming fish life, plus an
Mborokua (Mary) Island is about as far off the impressive array of corals (including the seldom
beaten tourist track as you can get. This extinct seen “green coral trees”), gorgonians, sponges
volcano lies west of the Russell Islands and is sur- and invertebrates. The dive features a large
rounded by deep walls with prolific marine life underwater plateau beginning at 7 meters and
including barracuda, manta rays and sharks. It is sloping down to 30 meters. While diving around
one of those dive destinations that once visited the plateau you come to a drop-off at 25 meters.
it is never forgotten, Mary Island is notable for an There you find a forest of black coral and a few
underwater point that commonly hosts massive sandy patches where black tip and grey reef
schools of barracuda and jacks. sharks are sure to make an appearance. Napole-
ons also inhabit this area. Further along there is
MONGO PASSAGE (Uepi): An enormous, sim- an area abundant with elephant ear corals. Cur-
ply breathtaking drop-off, featuring schooling rents can be strong guaranteeing a large variety
barracuda, curious sharks, beautiful gorgonian of fish to encounter.
fans and a delightful coral garden. A renowned
deep water passage dive half an hour from Uepi. SHARK POINT (Munda): a 25-minute boat ride
Best with an incoming tide and strong currents. from Munda, this sloping reef seldom fails to
The mid depth wall is carpeted with a glorious, produce sightings of grey reef sharks, silvertips,
golden, soft coral. Streaming fish and the outside devil rays, snapper, batfish and turtles. You’ll have
facing wall is stunning. Very varied fish life. to go deep (around 50 meters to see the maraud-
ing sharks.
RAINBOW PASSAGE (Munda): One of the most
colorful dives in the Solomon’s, this site offers
