Page 510 - Melanesia

BABY CAKES: A small sea mound in open current while watching the incredible diversity

ocean. This site can be current swept which of marine life.

means lots of life. It is not unusual to see

several octopus here along with schools of reef DOUBLE ISLAND: This is a popular lunch spot

fish and the occasional nurse shark. for between dives. The area has a grassy sea

floor at a maximum depth of 4 meters. There

CHRISTMAS TREE ROCK: At no deeper than 10 are Anemone Fish with unique black stripes.

meters you’ll find a huge boulder of hard coral This site is also a great snorkeling spot.

covered in Christmas Tree worms. Octopus and

rays share this coral outcrop with Nudibranchs FONAGHO ISLAND: Drop down to 30 meters

and hermit crabs. on the point at the end of the island and watch

the underwater world go by. Sharks, jacks,

CUSTOM CAVE: This unique formation is barracuda, dog-tooth tuna and a host of other

another ideal challenge for photographers. pelagics make this point their home. Follow the

Shafts of sunlight penetrate through the jungle point back up to the shallows where nestled in

and enter through a hole into the magical the untouched coral are two giant clams.

cavern. In days past, Solomon Islands’ tribes

worshipped here. LERU CUT: A cut into the side of Leru Island

extends back over 100 meters into the island.

DIVING WITH THE MANTAS UKULNFAT POINT: The white sand bottom reflects light beauti-

This point extends out into Sunlight Channel fully making it ideal for photographers. At the

and is home to many large pelagic varieties end of the cut, surface and behold the steep

such as pompano, dog-tooth tuna, eagle rays cliffs which extend high above the water

and several species of shark. To end your dive on both sides with the encroaching jungle

come back up the wall and drift along in the overhanging.