Le Sournois - Prony Bay

North West Point is classic Cayman wall diving, and we absolutely love it for a morning drift. It’s a deep wall, sure, but the top reef is where we usually spend our safety stop, and it’s a stunner. Drop in, hit the wall, and let the current carry you past thick barrel sponges and the occasional black coral tree. We’ve seen free-swimming chain morays here, just cruising along the face, which is always a treat. Keep an eye out into the blue for eagle rays; they like to cruise by. Our favourite part is definitely the expansive sand patch on top of the reef. It’s huge, with these long fingers of coral reaching out towards shore. That’s your turtle zone. We’ve pretty much always bumped into a hawksbill or two munching on breakfast there. Visibility is consistently good, usually around 25m, making for some great wide-angle shots down the wall. It’s a site that suits anyone comfortable with a bit of depth and a gentle drift, offering that quintessential Cayman experience of clear water and abundant reef life, especially if you’re keen to spot a turtle or an eagle ray.

Location
Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-22.523700, 166.450700
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 Le Sournois

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 Le Sournois

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