Chocolate Flow

Best months: Jul–Nov

Why dive here

With 231+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, grey reef sharks and manta rays - Chocolate Flow offers some of Cocos (Keeling) Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJul–Nov

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Manta Rays · 231+ species recorded

Water27-29°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Chocolate Flow is all about that wall. We drop down, usually on the western side of Horsburgh Island, and it’s immediately obvious where the name comes from. From about 16 metres, the wall is just consumed by this incredible stand of Montipora coral, a deep, rich brown that looks exactly like molten chocolate pouring down the reef. It’s dense, almost monolithic, and casts these wonderful shadows. We love letting the current carry us gently along, just taking it all in. You’ll spot plenty of Big Red Cardinalfish tucked into crevices and maybe a curious Freckled Anglerfish perched on a coral head if you look closely. Keep an eye out for Porcelain coral and Larger star coral interspersed between the Montipora. The visibility here is often fantastic, around 30 metres, which really lets you appreciate the scale of that coral flow. After the deeper section, we drift up to the reef top, which is a kaleidoscope of hard and soft corals. It's a great spot for a longer safety stop, just watching Clown Tangs graze and Bluestripe Pipefish weaving through the shallower corals. This site is a real treat for photographers and anyone who appreciates a truly unique coral landscape.