Prison Gardens
Why dive here
With 231+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, grey reef sharks and manta rays - Prison Gardens offers some of Cocos (Keeling) Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest January, February, March.
Prison Gardens sits on the eastern side of the southern atoll, a dependable spot when the southerly winds pick up. We love this site for its vibrant hard coral formations, particularly the vast plates and branching staghorn. The resident school of Big Eye Trevally are a real highlight, often swirling around divers, completely unfazed by our presence. Look closely at the corals encrusting the monitoring buoys; they're often miniature ecosystems themselves. We've seen Emery's Pygmygoby tucked away here, and the Porcelain corals add delicate splashes of colour. Keep an eye out for Whitetip reef sharks cruising by, and the occasional Yellowmargin triggerfish darting between the coral heads. It’s an easy, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers or anyone wanting to just soak in the beauty of a healthy reef.
Typical Prison Gardens Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Nearest Dive Centres to Prison Gardens
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Prison Gardens
Prison Gardens Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Prison Gardens, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-12.09, 96.86) (1km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 25.6–27.8°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Wind Speed
9.53 m/s
18.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1012.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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