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Reef Patch

Reef Patch is one of those spots that just keeps giving, especially when the current isn’t ripping through. We’ve had some of our best drifts here, feeling like we’re flying over a landscape of untouched coral. It’s not about huge pelagics, though a Gray Reef Shark will often cruise by, keeping a lazy eye on things. What we love about Reef Patch is the sheer density of reef fish – think fusiliers schooling so thick the light gets dappled, and parrotfish, particularly the Rainbow and Bullethead, crunching away at the coral, completely unfazed by divers. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; the Granular Frog Shell is a real treat if you can spot it camouflaged against the rubble, and the Barred Blenny peeking out from its hole is always a fun find. The topography itself is beautiful, a sloping reef dotted with sponges and branching corals where you’ll often see a Maori Wrasse or a Hexagon Grouper just hanging out. This is a site that rewards slow diving, taking your time to explore the crevices and watch the busy reef life unfold. We’d suggest going in the late morning, after the initial rush, when the sun angle really brings out the colours.