Prony Bay, New Caledonia
    Passe de Dumbéa

    récif intérieur de Dumbéa

    Best months: Dec–Apr

    Protected Area

    Passe de Dumbéa

    Why dive here

    With 73+ marine species recorded in the area - including dugongs, great white sharks, humpback whales and sperm whales - récif intérieur de Dumbéa 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
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Dumbéa's récif intérieur is one of our favourite spots in Prony Bay, especially when you catch that outgoing current just right. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs here, more a gentle, meandering drift along a channel that ranges from 6 to 14 metres. The sandy bottom on one side offers a lovely contrast to the coral wall on the other, creating these little pockets where all sorts of characters hang out. We've seen schools of twinstripe fusiliers so dense they seem to shimmer, and it’s a reliable spot for spotting those camouflage groupers blending perfectly with the reef. Look closer, and you’ll find High Hat Triplefins bobbing, and the vibrant flash of a Schlegel's Parrotfish. When the current really gets going, it turns into a lazy drift, perfect for just watching the reef life unfold around you. Keep an eye out for the Black-backed Wrasse, they're always busy. This site suits divers who appreciate a relaxed pace, where the joy is in observing the smaller details and the sheer abundance of reef fish. It’s a comfortable dive, ideal for photographers or those who just want to soak in the bustling lagoon ecosystem without any major challenges.

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

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for récif intérieur de Dumbéa

    récif intérieur de Dumbéa Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for récif intérieur de Dumbéa, 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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