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Norman Reef - Playgrounds

Playgrounds at Norman Reef earns its name honestly. It’s a site that feels explicitly designed for easy, colourful diving, especially if you’re newer to the reef or just looking for a relaxed session. We love drifting over the low coral gardens, where the visibility usually holds firm around 14 metres, making it simple to spot the smaller stuff. This is a fantastic place for macro life and juvenile fish. You’ll see juvenile black butterflyfish flitting among the bommies, and we’ve often spent ages watching cuttlefish change colour right before our eyes, particularly in the shallower sections. Keep an eye out for the striking blue-banded pualu darting between the coral heads. While it won't give you the big pelagic thrills of Shark Mountain next door, Playgrounds offers a gentle, beautiful introduction to the reef's intricate beauty. We’d suggest hitting it in the late morning when the sun angle really lights up the coral colours.