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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at Jardin de Marc in Noumea?
The Jardin de Marc dive site slopes gently, offering a depth range from 6m down to 50m. However, the typical maximum depth for recreational diving at this site is 24m.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at Jardin de Marc?
Divers at Jardin de Marc can expect to explore a vibrant reef environment. The external slope is home to schools of trevally, bannerfish, and soldier fish. Additionally, divers often encounter magnificent creatures like turtles, rays, and sharks, making for an exciting marine life experience.
How challenging is the drift diving at Jardin de Marc, and is it suitable for all experience levels?
Jardin de Marc is classified as an intermediate difficulty drift dive site. While exhilarating, the drift diving conditions mean it is not typically suitable for all experience levels, especially novice divers. Divers should have appropriate experience and training for drift diving.
What is the best time of year to dive Jardin de Marc for optimal conditions and marine life sightings?
Unfortunately, the provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive Jardin de Marc for optimal conditions or marine life sightings. We recommend checking a comprehensive when to dive guide for New Caledonia for more details.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to dive at Jardin de Marc?
As an intermediate difficulty dive site, Jardin de Marc is best suited for divers with appropriate experience. While specific certification requirements are not detailed in the provided data, divers should ensure they are comfortable with drift diving and have the necessary skills for an intermediate-level dive.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Jardin de Marc dive site?
Jardin de Marc is known as a drift dive site, indicating the presence of currents that make for an exciting dive experience. Divers can generally expect excellent visibility, with an average of 25m.