Tépava - Prony Bay

Tucked away on the back of Bona reef, near the lighthouse, Why Not makes for a solid choice when the southeast winds kick up. It’s a wall dive, starting shallow and dropping to around 20 metres for recreational divers, though the reef continues deeper. We usually find ourselves drifting along a ridge draped in sea fans, plenty of soft and hard coral, and if you’ve got a keen eye, look for the well-decorated swim-throughs. Keep an eye out for whitetip reef sharks patrolling, and don't forget to scan the reef for the more unusual residents like the threespot righteye flounder or a ghost cardinalfish. It’s a site that rewards those who take their time and really observe.

Location
Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-22.346900, 166.411100
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Îlot Maître

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 Tépava

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 Tépava

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