spaghetti - Loyalty Islands

Turtle Crossing Shallow is a good pick for an easy dive, especially if you’re looking to ease into Roatán's famous wall dives without the depth. It’s a gentle drift over a sandy expanse that gradually gives way to a low-lying reef. We’ve found the best strategy here is to take it slow, really combing those sandy patches for movement. While it's called Turtle Crossing, and yes, we do often see green sea turtles here munching away, what we really love are the smaller creatures. Keep an eye out for the yellowtail parrotfish darting in and out, their scales flashing in the sun. The sand flats are a prime spot for jawfish hovering over their burrows. Look closely into the sandy bottom, especially near the reef edge, and you might spot a saddle stargazer – their eyes just peeking out, waiting for prey. The reef itself is home to plenty of hamlets and those beautiful fairy basslets, adding pops of colour. We’d suggest this one for newer divers or anyone looking for a relaxed second dive, allowing time to really focus on the smaller details rather than a speedy tour of a deep wall.

Location
Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-20.942600, 165.466100
Type
reef

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 spaghetti

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 spaghetti

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