5-15m
    Prony Bay, New Caledonia
    Îlot Signal

    Patate VACH

    Best months: Dec–Apr

    Protected Area

    Îlot Signal

    Why dive here

    With 73+ marine species recorded in the area - including dugongs, great white sharks, humpback whales and sperm whales - Patate VACH offers some of Prony Bay's richest reef diving. Water ranges 22-27°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeDec–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDugongs, Great White Sharks, Humpback Whales and Sperm Whales · 73+ species recorded
    Water22-27°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive · max 5-15m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Patate VACH, tucked into the sheltered corner of Prony Bay, is one of those places we always recommend for a relaxed, shallow dive. It’s perfect for easing into a trip, maybe shaking off some rust, or just enjoying a long, easy swim. The maximum depth is only 7 metres, which means plenty of bottom time and great light penetration, even on a cloudy day. We love how reliably calm it is here; "always protected from the wind" is no exaggeration. It's an ideal spot for new divers finding their fins, or if you're dialling in some skills. The coral formations aren't sprawling giants, but the smaller bommies hold a surprising amount of activity. You’ll often spot a Pinda Moray peeking out, or a Hairy Scorpionfish perfectly camouflaged against the rock. Keep an eye on the sandy patches too; we’ve had some great encounters with flounders here, and the sand rays sometimes glide right past. The schools of Blue and Gold Fusiliers can be impressive, creating shimmering walls of fish. While the current description mentions white-tip reef sharks, we've only ever seen them on occasion, and usually just fleeting glimpses in the distance. What you will see for sure are plenty of small coral fish, various wrasse like the Floral and Diagonal-lined, and if you’re patient, a few turtles moseying about. Visibility averages around 11 metres, which is perfectly fine for such a shallow, intimate site.

    Typical Patate VACH Dive Profile

    5mSafety Stop0m5m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Today05:2817:5712h 30m daylightGolden hour 17:28

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Patate VACH

    Patate VACH Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Patate VACH, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-22.43, 166.43) (4km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    23°C

    74°F · Range: 21.8–26.2°C

    Current Speed

    6.71 cm/s

    Direction: SW (206.6°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.061 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.39 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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