Jardin de Marc - Prony Bay

Marsa Egla is a gentle shore dive, a short drive from Marsa Alam. We like to drop in here for an easy afternoon bob around, especially if we're feeling a bit lazy after a liveaboard. The bay offers a calm entry point, then you can head either north or south along the reef. It’s mostly shallow, topping out at about 15m, with decent visibility at 18m on a good day. The real draw here is the extensive seagrass beds. This is where we’ve spotted green turtles munching away, and if you’re particularly lucky, a dugong might make an appearance – though don’t count on it, they’re shy. Even without a dugong, the seagrass attracts cowfish and a fair few scorpionfish tucked into the sandy patches. You'll find plenty of moray eels too, peering out from their hidey-holes in the coral. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, good for new divers building confidence or experienced folks looking for a chilled-out macro hunt. We wouldn't go out of our way for it, but it's a solid, enjoyable option if you're in the area.

Location
Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-22.490600, 166.432200
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Réserve de la passe Amédée

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Jardin de Marc

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

Recommended Packing List for Jardin de Marc

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