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Stella Maris / Ocean Encounters

Stella Maris, often just called the Ocean Encounters house reef, is a fantastic spot if you're staying at Lions Dive or even just looking for an easy shore dive. We love that it’s right inside the Marine Park, which helps keep things looking good, and it’s shallow enough that you can easily spend an hour or more poking around. The maximum depth is only about 14 metres, making it super approachable for newer divers or even snorkelers. While it doesn't have dramatic walls, the reef here is surprisingly lively. We often find ourselves just drifting along, spotting things like Redlip Blennies perched on sponges, or the shy Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish doing its best impression of a rock. The finger corals and lettuce corals add a nice texture to the landscape. Look closely and you might even catch a glimpse of a Harlequin Brittle Star tucked into a crevice. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light really brings out the colours of the corals and the iridescent scales of the Brown Chromis darting about. It’s a great site for a relaxed dive, good for getting back in the water or just enjoying an easy afternoon.