Epave du Snark - Prony Bay
Prony Bay’s Epave du Snark isn't one of those massive warships, but it's got a quiet charm. This small wreck, possibly a fishing boat or a yacht, sits upright on the sandy bottom, pretty much intact. We found schools of bannerfish fluttering around the mast, and inside the holds, it’s common to spot cardinalfish sheltering in the gloom. It’s a comfortable dive, usually with mild current, making it a good option for those newer to wreck diving or anyone looking for a relaxed exploration rather than a technical challenge. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs making their way across the hull.
- Location
- Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -22.426050, 166.426530
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: La Dieppoisse Special Marine Reserve
Best Time to Dive in Prony Bay
The warmest water temperatures in Prony Bay occur in February, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 22.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.0°C
- February: 27.4°C
- March: 27.4°C
- April: 26.5°C
- May: 24.6°C
- June: 23.4°C
- July: 22.5°C
- August: 22.0°C
- September: 22.6°C
- October: 23.6°C
- November: 25.0°C
- December: 26.5°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Prony Bay
- Aiguille de Prony (pinnacle)
- Aiguille du Prony - 1 (pinnacle)
- Boulari Plateau Manta (drift)
- Boulari Plateau Manta (wall)
- Corne de Tenia
- épave du snark (reef)
- épave du Umbolt (reef)
- Ever Propérity (reef)
- EVER PROSPERITY - 0m (wreck)
- EVER PROSPERITY - 0m (wreck)
- Extasy (cave)
- Fausse passe de Uitoé (reef)
- Forêt du Snark (reef)
- Grotte a Jean-Claude (cave)
- Îlot Maître (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Epave du Snark
Marine Life in Prony Bay
Home to 84 recorded species including 62 reef fish, 7 sea cucumbers, 4 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 clams & mussels.
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
- Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
- Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Orange-axil wrasse (Stethojulis bandanensis) - Reef Fish
- killer alga (Caulerpa taxifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Striated Locust Lobster (Eduarctus martensii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Batavian Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Blue Sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) - Reef Fish
- Dugong (Dugong dugon) - Whales & Dolphins
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma lutescens) - Reef Fish
- Leopard Blenny (Exallias brevis) - Reef Fish
- Pinkfish (Holothuria edulis) - Sea Cucumbers
Recommended Packing List for Epave du Snark
Based on average water temperature of 24.9°C, currents 6 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°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