Royal Dalton

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 - Royal Dalton 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

Royal Dalton feels like a living museum, if museums had a gentle current to push you along. We love dropping down the wall here, sinking to about 20 metres, and just gazing upwards into those enormous plate corals. Some are ancient, showing their age, while others are clearly new growth, a testament to the reef’s resilience. It’s a peaceful drift, the kind where you can really slow down and appreciate the details, like the delicate structures of lesser star coral or the way the light filters through the big plates. Visibility here is usually excellent, so you get a clear view of clown butterflyfish flitting between coral heads and big-eye trevallies cruising the deeper sections. If you hit it during the summer months, you might just find yourself surrounded by a swirling cloud of juvenile fusiliers, so thick they almost block out the sun – it’s quite a spectacle. Our favourite approach is to stay deep until you’re nudging your no-decompression limits, then slowly ascend and let the current carry you back towards the boat, a serene mid-water drift over the top of the reef. This site is perfect for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of a healthy reef and enjoy a relaxed drift dive.