Just for Nous - Loyalty Islands

Melasti. This is a site we keep coming back to when we’re on Lombok, especially if we’ve spent a few days on the coral reefs and need a change of pace. It’s a pure muck dive, no pretending otherwise. Drop down onto the sand, often with a slight current nudging you, and start scanning. We’ve found some incredible stuff here: rosy frogfish blending into the volcanic grit, those impossibly tiny pygmy gobies, and nudibranchs in colours you didn't even know existed. Our favourite way to dive Melasti is a slow drift along the bottom, eyes peeled, maybe with a good guide who knows where the resident frogfish usually hang out. It’s shallow, maxing out around 19m, and the visibility averages 16m, which is perfectly fine for hunting macro. Honestly, if you’re into wide-angle, you’ll be bored. But for photographers with a macro lens, or anyone who loves the thrill of discovery, Melasti is an absolute playground. We particularly like it for a night dive, when the critters really come alive – the hunt for a harlequin shrimp or a leaf scorpionfish feels a bit more intense in the dark.

Location
Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-20.888600, 165.478900
Type
muck

Marine Protected Area: Povilla Forest Reserve

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 Just for Nous

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

Recommended Packing List for Just for Nous

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