Aquarium - Loyalty Islands

Chiliguaro feels like a secret handshake among macro lovers. Tucked away on the peninsula between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa, it’s a site we always recommend to photographers or anyone who just enjoys slowing right down. Drop in, and you’re immediately enveloped by these ancient-looking rocky formations, riddled with crevices and overhangs. It’s here, in these shadowy nooks, that you’ll find the real action. We’ve spent whole dives mesmerised by the antics of the Fishgod Blenny, bobbing and weaving from its tiny bolt hole, or the surprisingly vibrant Stripy moving with purpose across the rock face. Visibility usually averages around 8 metres, which, for a macro site, is absolutely fine – you’re not here for sweeping vistas. This is a place to get nose-to-lens with the likes of the Gaudy Frog shell, often tucked away, or a well-camouflaged Speckled Scorpionfish. Keep an eye out for resting sharks in the deeper sand patches, and we’ve often encountered turtles cruising past, seemingly unfazed by our presence. It’s a shallow site, topping out at 12 metres, meaning plenty of bottom time to really scour every inch. We’d suggest going early in the morning before any wind picks up, which can sometimes stir the sand and reduce visibility further. If you’re into the small stuff, Chiliguaro is our pick for a genuinely rewarding dive.

Location: Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates: -21.687800, 165.464200

Marine Protected Area: Île Verte

Best Time to Dive in Loyalty Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Loyalty Islands occur in February, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 24.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.9°C
February: 28.2°C
March: 28.1°C
April: 27.6°C
May: 26.3°C
June: 25.4°C
July: 24.7°C
August: 24.2°C
September: 24.5°C
October: 25.2°C
November: 26.4°C
December: 27.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Loyalty Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Aquarium

Marine Life in Loyalty Islands

Home to 129 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 11 sea cucumbers, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 clams & mussels, 4 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Chestnut Blenny (Cirripectes castaneus) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
Humphead Unicornfish (Naso unicornis) - Reef Fish
Batavian Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus) - Reef Fish
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus) - Sea Cucumbers
dusky farmerfish (Stegastes nigricans) - Reef Fish
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Orange-axil wrasse (Stethojulis bandanensis) - Reef Fish
Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Leopard Blenny (Exallias brevis) - Reef Fish
Blackedge thicklip wrasse (Hemigymnus melapterus) - Reef Fish
Pinkfish (Holothuria edulis) - Sea Cucumbers
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Blackspotted Sea Cucumber (Pearsonothuria graeffei) - Sea Cucumbers

Recommended Packing List for Aquarium

Based on average water temperature of 26.3°C, currents 10 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories