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Hastings Reef - Fish Bowl

We’ve always had a soft spot for Hastings Reef, and the Fish Bowl really shows off what it does best. It’s not about grand pelagics or deep wrecks here; it’s about sheer fish density, hence the name. Drop in on the southern edge and you’re immediately enveloped. Schools of fusiliers are so thick they can genuinely block out the sun, and the wall itself, while not plummeting to insane depths, is just plastered with coral. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, after the initial rush, when the light really punches through the shallows. You’ll spot parrotfish everywhere, the Batavian and Princess varieties are particularly colourful, along with big schools of spangled emperor and sweetlips. We often find giant clams embedded in the coral, their mantles a vibrant blue or green. Keep an eye out for cleaner mimics flitting around the bommies. It’s an easy dive, maxing out around 13 metres, so you can really take your time observing the smaller details. If you love just immersing yourself in a cloud of reef fish, this is your spot.