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Compass Reef

Compass Reef is one of our favourite dives in the Corn Islands. It’s not just a reef; it’s a wreck that has become a reef. The remains of a small cargo ship, perhaps a fishing vessel, lie scattered across the seafloor, its ribs now encrusted with sponges and hard corals. What makes it special is the way the wreck has melded with the natural reef over decades. You’ll weave through coral bommies and then suddenly find yourself navigating the twisted metal remains of a hull, now home to swarms of glassfish and squirrelfish. We’ve seen nurse sharks resting under ledges here, and often, a resident green moray peeks out from a pipe. Visibility can be a bit variable, sometimes 15 metres, other days a crisp 25 metres. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light catches the wreck just right, and it feels a bit more secluded before any afternoon boats arrive. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering into every nook for macro life while still appreciating the larger structure.