15-30m
    Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
    Povilla Forest Reserve

    bargibenti

    Best months: Jan–Dec

    Protected Area

    Povilla Forest Reserve

    Why dive here

    With 116+ marine species recorded in the area - including dugongs, eagle rays, great white sharks, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - bargibenti offers some of Loyalty Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-28°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Marine lifeDugongs, Eagle Rays, Great White Sharks, Manta Rays and Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) · 116+ species recorded
    Water24-28°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive · max 15-30m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    We love a dive site with a purpose, and the Coral Nursery off St. Vincent certainly fits. It’s an easy, shallow dive, maxing out at 17 metres, which makes it perfect for a relaxed afternoon. The PVC "trees" might sound a bit stark, but they're surprisingly effective as an artificial reef, already attracting quite the crowd. Look closely among the branching coral fragments and you'll spot juvenile reef fish everywhere – we've seen tiny Harlequin Bass darting between new growth and Sharpnose Puffers nibbling at algae. Our favourite find here is often the Stippled Clingfish, blending perfectly with the coral stalks. It's a fantastic spot for macro photography and a genuinely rewarding dive, knowing you're witnessing active conservation. It’s a great choice for newer divers or anyone keen to see coral restoration in action, especially if you chat with the dive shop about their ongoing projects.

    Typical bargibenti Dive Profile

    5m10m15mSafety Stop0m15m max~50 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today06:1617:4811h 32m daylightGolden hour 17:18

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for bargibenti

    bargibenti Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for bargibenti, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    24.23°C

    76°F

    Current Speed

    9.06 cm/s

    Direction: S (186.3°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.093 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.12 PSU

    Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)

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