Mur Aux lôches - Prony Bay

Punta Catalina, on the south point of the Catalinas Islands, often gets overlooked for its flashy neighbours. We think that’s a mistake. While it doesn't shout for attention, this spot offers a consistently engaging dive. The reef here slopes gently to about 19m, making it feel expansive without being overwhelmingly deep. Our favourite thing about Punta Catalina is the sheer variety of smaller stuff. You’ll find Speckled morays tucked into crevices and Chocolate Tonguefish doing their camouflage act on the sandy patches. Keep an eye out for the Flashy Fishgod Blenny, they’re always a treat. Visibility averages a decent 12m, which is enough to appreciate the intricate coral structures and the schools of Yellowfin Herring that shimmer past. It’s a calmer dive, perfect for spending time observing individual species rather than chasing after pelagics. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with Giant damselfish defending their patches with surprising ferocity. This site is brilliant for macro photographers or anyone who enjoys a relaxed exploration.

Location
Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-22.362700, 166.257300
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Passe de Dumbéa

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 Mur Aux lôches

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 Mur Aux lôches

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