Mirlo - Loyalty Islands

Ponta do Bananal in Arraial do Cabo might be shallow, maxing out around 10 meters, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's dull. We love it for an easy, sheltered dive, especially when the wind kicks up elsewhere. It’s essentially a rocky shoreline, but the nooks and crannies hold some real treats. Visibility typically hovers around 8 meters, which is plenty for spotting the smaller stuff. Our favourite part about Bananal is the seahorse potential. We've often found them clinging to the rocky outcrops or bits of algae, swaying gently with the surge. Look closely in the cracks for Flagfin and Delalande Blennies darting around, and keep an eye out for Orangespotted Filefish blending into the background. You’ll also bump into plenty of Greenback Parrotfish munching on the algae and Red Groupers hanging out in the shadows. It's a fantastic spot for photographers focusing on macro life or new divers getting comfortable with their buoyancy. It feels calm, a real slow-paced wander underwater.

Location
Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-20.988600, 165.534000
Type
wall
Maximum Depth
15-40m

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 Mirlo

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 Mirlo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at the Mirlo dive site?
The Mirlo dive site offers dives up to a maximum depth of 25m. Divers exploring this reef site can expect to experience depths within this range, making it suitable for various experience levels up to its intermediate difficulty.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Mirlo?
At Mirlo, divers can explore impressive faults teeming with giant gorgones. The site is renowned for its abundant pelagic life, including schools of blue fusilleros, jacks, barracudas, and thazars. Lucky divers might also encounter grey sharks and even hammerheads, making it a fantastic spot for marine life encounters.
How challenging is diving at Mirlo, and what level of experience is recommended?
Diving at Mirlo is considered to be of intermediate difficulty. This suggests that divers should have some prior experience and comfort in various diving conditions to fully enjoy the site safely.
When is the best time of year to dive at Mirlo for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive at Mirlo for optimal conditions and marine encounters. For general information on seasonal diving, you might consult our When to Dive guide.
Are there any specific scuba diving certifications required or highly recommended for diving Mirlo?
The provided information does not specify any particular scuba diving certifications required or highly recommended for diving at Mirlo. However, given its intermediate difficulty, an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent is generally beneficial for such sites.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Mirlo dive site?
Divers at Mirlo can expect excellent visibility, averaging around 30m. While specific current conditions are not detailed, its location in the "big pass of BAYES" suggests that currents may be present and contribute to the rich pelagic life observed.