reef

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Reef Patch

Reef Patch might not grab headlines like some of the deeper sites, but for a relaxed afternoon dive, it's one of our favourite spots on Christmas Island. We love drifting over the coral here, especially when the sun is high and you get that dappled light through the water. It’s primarily a hard coral landscape, think branching acropora and big porites bommies, which are home to a surprising number of fish. We've often seen Blackside Hawkfish perched perfectly still on coral heads, blending in until you’re practically on top of them. Keep an eye out for the parrotfish, especially the Bicolour and Bridled Parrotfish, crunching away at the reef; you can often hear them before you see them. The water here tends to be calm, making it a good choice if you're looking for an easier dive or want to spend more time observing the smaller stuff. It’s also a great place for spotting different butterflyfish species, like the Sickle and Limespot, weaving through the coral. We'd suggest going in the late morning, when the light really shows off the reef’s texture.